Email Marketing: HTML or Plain Text

13 replies
Hello Warriors.

In your experience, which one have higher open rates and response rates.

HTML message or Plain text message?

Thanks!
#email #html #marketing #plain #text
  • Profile picture of the author Tenzo
    I'm starting to test HTML emails that essentially look like text. The come across a little cleaner and they are formatted nicely, in my opinion. I believe it was Derek Gehl who suggested this, and he tests everything rigourously.

    Regards,
    Kevin
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    • Profile picture of the author jonhel
      The approach that Kevin mentioned is the best in my experience. Html but without going over the top with images etc.

      If you use html, be careful if using images in your emails because a lot of email programs such as Outlook block them by default leaving an ugly looking email unless you choose to view the images.

      Jonathan
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  • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
    People are playing with both types for ages but most often tests have revealed text emails make more money.

    But you should test .

    -Lakshay
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  • Profile picture of the author Franck Silvestre
    I always used text messages, because all my mentors only use text, and they tested this so...
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  • Profile picture of the author sinboutkaska
    I prefer plain texts as not everyone has html capability. Well at least not by default. It is always safer to use plain text as its the quality of the content that is important.
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    • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
      The bottom line is there is no "one solution fits all".

      You need to test in your niche. Think of those marketing emails you get from some of the bigger online presences such as Amazon etc. Plain text simply wouldn't work for them because of the nature of their products.

      When testing don't focus on open-rate because:

      1. It's not accurate for HTML and multi-part because many email clients block the tracking method used.

      2. It cannot be measured at all for plain text emails.

      What's important is response rate - clicks on your links etc, and that can be measured whether the email is HTML or plain text.

      Cheers,

      Neil
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      Easy email marketing automation without moving your lists.

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  • Profile picture of the author jagsenghera
    Plain text...it out perform HTML emails every time
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    • Profile picture of the author Alminc
      How to measure open rate for text emails?

      As far as I know you can only track HTML emails
      open rate.
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      No links :)
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      • Profile picture of the author Ian Traynor
        I guve subscribers a choice when they sign up for my newsletter.

        75% of them opt for HTML.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Lea
    A lot of email readers do not except HTML so I would always go with Plain Text.
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  • Profile picture of the author zig_nahraf
    Always plain text. But probably because all the guru's have drilled into my head that that's the way to go lol =)
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  • Profile picture of the author cbleads2
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
      But probably because all the guru's have drilled into my head that that's the way to go lol
      But there are many who use HTML too.

      Cheers,

      Neil
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      Easy email marketing automation without moving your lists.

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      • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
        How to measure open rate for text emails?

        As far as I know you can only track HTML emails
        open rate.
        Correct. And even that's not remotely accurate.

        Cheers,

        Neil
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        Easy email marketing automation without moving your lists.

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