Bronto Blog

We are improving the page for managing messages so that it is more similar to Outlook, Mail and other email programs. Click on the thumbnail to see a full screenshot.

The new messages page improves on a number of things:

1. Easier to navigate folders with a folder tree on the left side bar. The tree is based on one of Yahoo’s UI widgets. Thanks Yahoo!
2. Better visibility to which messages are in queue and currently sending with the Outgoing view.
3. Ability to delete, copy and move messages.

The new page is still a few weeks away from being live and, of course, subject to change. We’re open to suggestions so let us know your thoughts on this new design.

Thanks.

We moved a new release into production this morning. Here are screen shots of the new functionality:

Build Lists Using Delivery Metrics
Click the “Add to List” icon to add contacts to existing lists or to create new lists based on message reporting.

Delete Users
Use the red delete icons to delete unnecessary users from your account.

Bulk Import Change
We re-ordered the selections in Step 2 of the import process. “Update existing contacts, Add new contacts” is the most frequently used selection, so we made it the default. (Previously, this was choice #3.)

Select A Header
When composing a message, you can toggle message headers using a new Header menu. You may wish to choose to include a header that includes a hypertext link to the message at the top of the message. “No Header” is the default selection.

This is the same functionality as before, now re-packaged in an easy-to-understand menu.

That does it for now. We will have another round of updates ready to go in the next week or so.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact us you have any questions.

I lead a brief presentation today touting the virtues of constantly testing your email marketing messages. Here are a few quick thoughts from the presentation:

Why is testing important?
Plain and simple, testing helps you correct problems before they happen.

As someone responsible for more than his fair share of accidental misspellings in email marketing messages, I can tell you that the 5 minutes it takes to send your message to a test list is worth it every time.

What should I look for as I test?
Test your message for editorial content - spelling, grammar, design, etc. Do all of your links work properly? Do your survey results capture properly?

Also look for consistency across different email clients. For example, does your template render properly in Gmail, AOL, Thunderbird, and Outlook?

You should also consider setting up a program to test the performance of your message. Finding the right mix of content, design, subject line, and delivery time can make a significant impact on your metrics and your bottom line.

How do I build a test list?
I strongly recommend that you build a test list with 5-10 email addresses that you can use to proof your message. Use your email address, but also include addresses from ISPs like Google, AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo!, etc. Additionally, try to include colleagues that use a Mac, Thunderbird, and other desktop email clients.

Send to this list before you deliver to your target list to ensure that your message renders consistently (or at least legibly) in different environments.

How do I get started?
Planning ahead is the most important element in a testing program. If you’re rushing to get your message out the door, then you are more likely to skip the testing process and thus more likely to make accidental mistakes. If you have your content and design ready in advance, then you will give yourself ample time to test and minimize the likelihood of an error.

I recommend an editorial calendar - complete with deadlines - to help you stay organized.

Folks - it is important that you test your messages before you send them. So important that we’re devoting a Friday afternoon webcast to teach you how to do it right.

Tune in at 2PM this Friday to learn how to test and how to set up a testing system:

• Dial-in: 888-676-3315
• Conference ID: 23129
• Web Presentation: http://www.webdialogs.com/join/

Talk to you Friday.

Whenever possible, avoid using URLs as the text of a link.

For example, your message might link to http://bronto.com - with text “http://bronto.com” instead of “Bronto.com” or “Bronto HQ” or “our homepage.”

Some email clients may interpret links with URL text to be malicious and therefore flag your message as “spammy”. Here’s why:

Bronto embeds tracking codes in message links that first point back to us, then point to the target site. These embedded tracking codes enable us to track clicks on your messages. (This is a very common practice with email marketing providers, by the way.)

If you look at the URL of the link, you’ll see that it points to us and not the intended link. Once the recipient passes through Bronto, we forward them to their intended destination.

This is a similar tactic practiced among phishers - the link looks to point one place, but really points elsewhere. Hence, the negative impact on message delivery.

Luckily, this is a pretty easy problem to mitigate. Instead of using URLs as the text, we recommend that you link with text like “visit our website” or “learn more”.