Ever tried sending out HTML emails?
There are numerous challenges that come with it, largely due to the fact that each email client has its own way of handling things. The key is to keep your email concise, straightforward, and intact.
Every programming language has its own specifications. You must determine whether to include it inline within the mailing script or embed it through an HTML file. Feel free to share the language you're utilizing for more personalized advice.
Simplicity is paramount when it comes to email layouts. The most effective designs are typically the simplest ones, especially since not all email clients adhere strictly to HTML standards. Your email's viewing window size cannot be predetermined, nor can it be expanded or resized. Remember, the priority is conveying a message, not creating a webpage. Utilizing simple flexible/elastic tables should suffice if your content goes beyond basic paragraphs.
Ensure all images are linked statically (using http:\\www. ....mypicture.png
) hosted from your server, as opposed to dynamic linking (\images\mypicture.png
). This reduces the risk of broken links and minimizes the email's size. While some clients may request permission to display images, this issue is inevitable regardless of the approach utilized (Refer to additional resources for further information).
Again, maintain static links for all URLs. Using local/dynamic links won't yield positive results and may leave recipients dissatisfied.
Opt to have CSS classes at the beginning or incorporate everything inline (< ... style="..." />
). Attaching a separate CSS file is messy and non-standard.
Whether inline or positioned at the start of your file, avoid attaching scripts separately for the same logical reasons outlined above.
- Supplementary Attachments
If considering including PDFs or DOCX files, following a similar strategy as with images proves most effective. By hosting these files on your server and providing static links in your email, both file size management and compatibility concerns across various email clients are addressed.