Hope this helps!

- Andrew

If you're considering pay services, definitely check out MailChimp – http://mailchimp.com/rss/ – they have an awesome RSS-to-Email feature that can be used seperate from FeedBurner (or, if the issues with their service are resolved) in conjunction with it. MailChimp is also on Twitter – http://twitter.com/mailchimp

The real problem with Google seems to be that you just can't reach a real person. They've made 0 effort to connect with their community, and since the service is free, there's no incentive for them to change it or make it better.

Aweber engages with the community. Check http://twitter.com/aweber — that's their official Twitter account — and they also have several employees on Twitter. They also have live chat and a toll-free number.

Of course, you have to pay for this. But since their entire business model is built around delivering emails quickly, any problem should be quickly worked on by them. While I agree it's unlikely you'll never experience any issues with Aweber, as a paid service, it's in their best interest to correct your problems as quickly as possible and keep you happy.

I don't have any agenda here except that I want to get my emails out to customers as quickly as possible, and make sure my subscribers are happy. To me, it's worth it to pay the monthly fee to make sure that happens. It really is a shame about Google/Feedburner. The service would be great if it actually worked.

-Erica

That's true, but if you give people more options, they are that much more likely to do nothing at all. The paradox of choice and all that.

It's best for both you and your list if you make it as easy as possible for people to join it. For most folks, that means an opt-in box on every page of your site, asking for your first name and email address, or better yet, just an email address. The less people have to go through to subscribe, the more subscribers you will have.

-Erica

I've had major problems with Feedburner as well. I have a few hundred email subscribers and have been getting complaints on and off about late delivery or no delivery.

I finally had enough and this month I am switching everything over to Aweber: http://is.gd/agjI

Aweber has an RSS-to-email service just like Feedburner, except it actually works, sends out right away, and is super-customizable. Of course, Aweber is a paid service…BUT they have real toll-free or live chat support and can handle huge lists.

Everyone I have heard who has moved to Aweber seems to really like it. They do have occasional problems, but nothing like Feedburner!

Good luck with your decision.

-Erica