How To Create HTML Newsletter Templates
Newsletter formats can be grouped into three chief types : text, HTML and PDF newsletters. Each type has its pros and cons. By checking the features each newsletter format offer, i twill be much easier for you to choose the right format.
HTML newsletters are all the rage these days. The reason behind this trend is quite obvious ; the HTML format gives the publisher more formatting features and design flexibility.
On the other hand, text newsletters are the most basic of all the three formats. They make use of the least amount of design flexibility ; no hyperlinks, no images, and no colors ; just plain text.
A few things that should be considered when working out an HTML type of newsletter :
1. Keep its width within 600 Pixels. If you set your newsletter wider than the email application’s preview pane, your readers will have trouble displaying it. To avoid such inconveniences, keep it narrower than 600 pixels. This way you ensure that it is compatible with most email clients.
2. The simpler the better. HTML offers so many fascinating features. Some newsletter designers get overexcited by such features and make too much use of them. It is important to note that not all email clients are capable of executing the most advanced and highly sophisticated HTML features. So try to keep it simple.
If you use complex HTML tables formatting and other sophisticated features, you can be certain that your newsletter will be badly executed by some email applications. So keep it simple and do not get overexcited by the flashy features of HTML.
3.Avoid flash and videos. If you would like to share a flash, video or any multimedia file with your readers, the best way would be to host it on your website and point to it with a link in your newsletter. Embedding multimedia files within your newsletter can bring about several problems ; the least of which is that your newsletter will be very slow to load.
4.Do not overuse CSS. CSS is a nice complement to HTML in designing websites. But when it comes to newsletters, the case could be different. There is no guarantee that email clients will execute your CSS code. So if you rely mainly on it for designing your newsletter layout, then the odds are your newsletter content will get completely messed up by some email clients.
The above tips are oriented to webmasters who are familiar with HTML and CSS. If you are not that sort of person, you can simply use readymade HTML templates.