[UPHPU] Email Counter

[jtaber]

Smith, Jeff wrote:
> There are a couple options.  You can always form your html email to load
> an image file from your web server.  Something like <img
> src="counter.php"> then use PHP to generate the image.  You could then
> use PHP to add an entry to the database recording the users IP.   There
> is a bunch of draw backs to this.  Not all email clients will
> automatically load the image file.  Also some people may look at the
> email multiple times (thus triggering multiple counts).  This is known
> as email bugging and is generally considered a bad thing.  If you just
> want to keep in touch with potential customers have a link that points
> back to your site.  That is the best thing to do (IMHO).
>
>   
I would have to concur with Mac & Jeff re a link back to your site -
shows if the customer is interested in looking at something there.  
There are 2 main issues that I see:

1) What are the best web site logging and analyzing tools out there ? 
Will they work with a hosted site ?  I haven't seen any tutorials on
this though it seems to be a critical marketing item.

2) How do you get a customer's attention when many people receive
100-400 emails a day.  And here I can only think of 3 things: a) you
have to really strike their attention (which is tough and being too
cutesy can backfire ie spam);  b) something they were already looking
for info on; and c)they ignore responding to your email but it serves as
a gentle reminder to them that you are out there (for this there are
just indirect measures like tracked sales post mailing - many mktg books
will talk about how to track a direct mail (USPS) campaign).