There was a time when having an autoresponder was a significant perk in ecommerce web design. The early versions of autoresponders would only allow for a one-time auto response. This meant that online business could send a thank you note, catalogue or an about us email, but that would be the extent of the auto response messages the system could send. The business owner could only make the choice of one item to send to all customers. If the owner changed what was sent it was changed for all subsequent auto responses.
Today the idea of an autoresponder as a perk seems somewhat ridiculous. Most web designs offer a singular autoresponder either as an add-on or as part of the design package.
The reason its no big deal these days is the advent of sequential autoresponders. This technology is what allows businesses to send follow up materials that can come in more than one mailing without requiring you to personally manage the information distribution.
Perhaps the biggest reason for using sequential autoresponders has to do with the need for customer impressions. If you can develop a series of emails or even an ecourse filled with knowledge-based information on...