FAQs

Q: How do you track email opens and clicks?

a: Informz is able to track when the recipient of an email opens the mailing or clicks on particular links due to a one pixel high image, (invisible to the recipient) that is contained within the HTML coding. That data allows Informz to track who the recipient is and what action they took on your email and reports this information back to the sender via Informz's robust reporting.

Q: What is Send-a-Friend Link?

a: The Send-a-Friend Link is a viral marketing strategy that you can implement on your email's template. By implementing this link, the person goes to a web page branded like your subscription form and enters their friend's email address. Then, the friend receives a duplicate copy of the original HTML email in their inbox, instead of just a link to it. Send-to-friend links will work on any platform because another browser is launched where the person enters their friend's email address, instead of entering it in a form embedded directly in the email. Informz send-to-friends links are fully trackable. Not only are the clicks on that link tracked, but we track who filled out the send-to-friend form and who they sent the email to.

Q: What is the difference between text and HTML versions of email?

a: A plain text email looks like something written in a basic text editor, containing no colors, graphics, or design elements. HTML emails allow you to place graphics and text with different font treatments. All HTML emails can be tracked using a one pixel high invisible image and most email programs give users the option to display HTML or text.

Informz has something called "content-type alternative" to send out HTML emails. It determines whether a recipient can view the HTML or text version depending on what email software, (and version #), they are using and how their mail servers are configured. It basically bundles both the HTML version and the text version together in one email and based on the subscribers' email software, it will display the most readable version to them, with HTML taking precedence.

Q: What is a subscription form?

a: A subscription form or data input form allows web visitors to sign up to receive your mailings and enter or update their profile information. You can control everything about this including how it is accessed by the subscriber, how it looks, what Questions are asked, how many steps it takes to subscribe, and if it resides on our server or yours. Click here for an example: http://www.informz.net/ceg/profile.asp

Q: What is the difference between soft and hard bounces?

a: A soft bounce is an email that was undeliverable because of any of the following:

The mail server was down,
The mail server was not accepting mail at the time, or
The subscriber's inbox was full.
A hard bounce is an email that was undeliverable because of any of the following:

The domain does not exist,
The domain does not have a mail server, or
The e-mail address does not exist on the domain.

Informz classifies your soft and hard bounces on your mailing activity report. And, will automatically re-send your soft bounces up to 12 hours after the published time.

 

Q: Can the From address be personalized with our own email addresses?

a: Yes. You customize this in each email template.

Q: Is using the informz.net domain a reQuirement?

a: No. You get a dedicated IP address that can use your domain.

Q: How about opt out features?

a: Informz supports a global unsubscribe and a more granular level opt-out based on publication.

Q: How difficult is it to learn how to use Informz?

a: Informz was designed for marketers to use. You do not need to be an HTML wiz or a SQL expert to use it. You control your communications.

Q: How do you determine if bounce backs are bad email addresses or just being filtered due to size, etc?

a: Informz can detect over 200 different bounce back formats. These are separated into 3 types: Hard Bounces (permanent), Soft Bounces (Temporary) and Blocks (email is not permitted to be delivered). Our ISP Relations team will research all blocks.

Q: Are there graphic templates provided for the email messages?

a: Yes, Informz will create a custom template for you and show you how to create additional ones.

Q: How does Informz help clients comply with Can Spam legislation?

a: Informz helps you comply with Can Spam in a number of ways:

1. You work closely with an eMarketing Advisor who will be reviewing your emails to make sure they are compliant.
2. Informz uses Email templates - so each template can already have unsubscribe links and your postal address to make sure you are compliant.
3. Informz handles unsubscribes and opt-outs for you, so you do not have to worry.
4. Your eMarketing Advisor will work with you to make sure you are in compliance with the other aspects of the law as well.

Q: How do you prevent the receiving email server from blocking the email through their SPAM blockers - i.e. seeing many emails from a single source?

a: Informz has developed relationships with SPAM filter companies and IPS's to ensure your opt-in email is delivered. Our ISP Relations Team also monitors delivery of emails across domains and looks for issues.