Many marketers are moving towards creating HTML newsletters instead of plain text newsletters. The reason for this growing migration lies in the flexibility and features HTML newsletters provide.
A plain text newsletter leaves much to be desired. You can not use hyperlinks, integrate images, change fonts and font colors. By creating an HTML newsletter all these limits are lifted.
Here are some of the things you need to consider before you rush into making your HTML newsletter :
1. Set the width to 500-600 Pixels
Your HTML newsletter width is limited to the width of the email clients’ preview pane. This means you will not have the full browser window, just a part of it. Therefore, you need take the width of the email clients’ preview pane into account when designing an HTML newsletter. Try to keep its width within the limit of 600 pixels, or it will get disfigured by the email client.
2. Keep The HTML of Your Newsletter Simple
The overuse of HTML features may result in display issues. HTML newsletters are meant to be displayed into email applications and not into full-functionality browsers. Email clients are notoriously poor in executing HTML formatted newsletters.
By sticking to the basic HTML features such as links, images, simple tables and layouts, you can ensure better compatibility with the bulk of email clients.
The more complex your HTML newsletter layout, the more display issues you will face.
3. Don’t use multimedia files in your HTML newsletter
If you need to share a video or flash with your subscribers, the best way to do this would be placing a link on your newsletter and redirecting readers to view it on your website.
Integrating video or flash in an HTML newsletter will cause several problems. It will take longer for the newsletter to load. But the major problem is most email applications do not support these types of files.
4. Make scarce use of CSS
CSS (cascading style sheets) is great to use on websites. But when it comes to HTML newsletters, it becomes a source of problems. Stick to the most basic CSS tags, such as those used to change fonts and colors.
But never relies on it when creating your HTML newsletter layout. If the CSS is not executed by the email client, your newsletter will get completely distorted. Instead, use HTML tables to structure your newsletter.
Even you use some CSS formatting try to test your newsletter without it to see how it looks. It should like fine without it.Some of the above tips are a bit technical.
So, if you are not comfortable working with HTML, you can always find ready-made HTML newsletter templates to use. You may also customize these templates if you wish.
Stay tuned for more tips on How To Create HTML Newsletters!