In most traditional businesses you will likely find a receptionist who can either answer business specific questions or can route customers to the appropriate department for assistance. In more automated offices a voice mail system can alleviate much of the guesswork in locating the right department (although the process can seem a bit impersonal).
Some of the larger email companies also have manned phone lines, but for many ecommerce business owners the cost of hiring a staff to man the telephones may make a business startup next to impossible.
It is for this situation that autoresponders are particularly useful. Many businesses already use autoresponders to provide a key element in customer service an acknowledgement that there is an issue to be resolved. This is followed up by a more personalized email or phone call to address the issue.
Auto responders are also useful for the delivery of newsletters or an ecourse.
One area that may not be as prominent, yet can be a very effective means of utilizing an autoresponder, is in information supply.
How does this differ from an ecourse?
An ecourse is a pre-developed series of information...