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Is it a mistake to send just HTML email?

by Chuck Martin
6 replies
I'm getting ready to start a newsletter. I've read a lot of pros and cons of sending text vs HTML email. I'm wondering if the information about problems with some subscribers not being able to read HTML email is outdated.

For example, do AOL users still have a problem reading HTML formatted email? Are there still some email clients that can't read HTML messages?

I'd like to avoid having to set up two different versions of an email, text and HTML. I'm lazy I guess. I wasn't planning on using graphics or fancy formatting in the HTML messages. I primarily want to hide the ugly URL's under text links and be able to track the open rate. Other than having text links and maybe bullet points the messages would look pretty much like a text message.

So what do you think? Would I lose very many readers if I just sent an HTML version of my email?
#email #html #mistake #send
  • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
    I don't know how fancy you need to get, but the affiliate links turn into crazy links if you are using aweber.

    I personally avoid html and just go with text to be safe.

    Some will not receive email in html, because they don't want things hidden from them.

    Depends on the niche for how fancy you want to get.

    If you are just selling to marketers, I'd keep it text simple.
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    • Profile picture of the author Liam Hamer
      Originally Posted by avenuegirl View Post

      I personally avoid html and just go with text to be safe.
      This is what I do too, but I've been wondering lately if I should do both.
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    • Profile picture of the author dljmktg1
      I would say sending HTML only would be a poor choice. Because so many people use web-based email that blocks a lot of images, this makes the rest of the email sometimes not real readable.

      I would send HTML or text emails based on the subscribes preference.


      Dan
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      • Profile picture of the author cornerstone3
        When I send out newsletters I always have it configured to send HTML first but if the recipient's client is not HTML-friendly my mailer automatically sends a text version. That way there shouldn't be anyone who doesn't get a readable version. Though some people get both versions but that's okay.
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  • Profile picture of the author Louise Green
    I always use plain text, it makes sure that people who choose to not display HTML in their email client can click on links.

    I think HTML emails can make emails useless to a small number of people. But it does look nicer.
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