13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Observation About HTML vs Text Emails

by theebookcavern
11 replies
Hi All,

As Aweber users will know you have the option of filling out a HTML and text version of your emails. If you fill out both Aweber sends the HTML version if possible and if the email client won't accept the HTML version it sends the text version instead.

Being a member of quite a few lists I have noticed that the big companies all send HTML emails; Amazon, Dabs, eBuyer, Play etc.

However, I've never seen an IMer send a HTML email. They always seem to send plain text.

Personally, I prefer sending out HTML emails because it allows you to track open rates and it also stops people seeing the ugly Aweber click tracking link. However, when I build lists in the IM niche I always send a text email just because I've never seen another IMer send HTML and have always thought there must be a reason.

Today after many years of wondering I thought I would finally put it to the Warrior Forum.

What is the reason so many of you send plain text emails?

Tom
#emails #html #observation #text
  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    The difference is in who you're targeting. Retail consumers are more influenced by pretty, graphic advertisements (as you see from the major retailers). Internet marketers are much more interested in fast, raw information. As an internet marketer, I much prefer an informative plain text email that I can quickly absorb to further my business. The retail world and the IM world are two entirely different beasts.

    Of course, you can send an HTML-based email to IMers that look the same as generic text, and that gives you the ability to track.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5254162].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      If you use html for your list - do it right and also install a text version of each email you send. Otherwise, some on your list will get a garbled mess where the text is buried in html tags. That does not make a good impression.

      kay
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
      January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
      So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5254558].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JoeDRL
    I can relate to what Gene Pimentel just said, I prefer to have text-emails because I won't get distracted with graphics and shiny buttons that don't have anything to do with the content.

    Has anyone split-tested HTML vs. Plain text for promo emails? That may be a factor to consider.
    Maybe having a button and images to promote something is better for the conversions....

    Have the greatest day of your life,
    ~ JoeDRL
    Signature
    (FREE TODAY)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5255264].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Big Al
    However, I've never seen an IMer send a HTML email. They always seem to send plain text.
    I use plain text and when I was experimenting with HTML I was doing my best to make them look 'plain text'. A lot of Internet Marketers use HTML emails - really you gotta test which works best for you and we should all really be tracking our open rates, click-thru rates and sales.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5255267].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dblakeslee
      I had this same question and the conclusion I came to was that if you are well known to your recipients, i.e. Amazon, eBay, etc. you will get your HTML email read.

      If your recipients are skeptical, i.e. can't remember opting in to your list, you are better off sending text email.

      I automatically block images in my email client, so I don't see the pretty stuff unless I choose to view images.

      Just my 2 cents!

      Thanks for letting me participate. I recently found this forum and it has helped me immensely.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5255285].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author theebookcavern
      Originally Posted by Big Al View Post

      I use plain text and when I was experimenting with HTML I was doing my best to make them look 'plain text'. A lot of Internet Marketers use HTML emails - really you gotta test which works best for you and we should all really be tracking our open rates, click-thru rates and sales.
      Thanks for the comment Big Al. Maybe it's just the IM lists I'm on.

      Whilst I completely understand the merits of a simple HTML email that looks like it is plain text, small changes such as changing 'mywebsite.com' to 'Click Here To View My Website' would make these emails look better in my eyes.

      However, I still see a lot of IMers using the full URL. So I guess my next question is...does anyone know why a lot of IMers use the full URL? Does full URL get better a better CTR than some text saying 'Click Here'?

      Tom

      P.S. I know I can split test this and I will do in future emails but would be good to hear people's opinions and experiences.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5257165].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
        Originally Posted by theebookcavern View Post

        does anyone know why a lot of IMers use the full URL? Does full URL get better a better CTR than some text saying 'Click Here'?
        Tom,

        There are many email clients that will not automatically create a 'clickable link', so if you only have a 'click here' message, many of your recipients will have no idea where to go.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5257752].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author WillR
          Originally Posted by Gene Pimentel View Post

          Tom,

          There are many email clients that will not automatically create a 'clickable link', so if you only have a 'click here' message, many of your recipients will have no idea where to go.
          If it's an HTML email, which is what he's referring to, then the link will be clickable. You can only use these types of links in HTML emails. The whole point of HTML emails is that they render just like normal HTML so those links will be real links and clickable.

          Originally Posted by theebookcavern View Post

          However, I still see a lot of IMers using the full URL. So I guess my next question is...does anyone know why a lot of IMers use the full URL? Does full URL get better a better CTR than some text saying 'Click Here'?
          What you need to understand is just because an email looks like a regular text email does not mean it is. They can make it look exactly like their regular text email but the reason they might use HTML is so they can use tracking pixels and track things much more accurately.

          Personally I think the best HTML emails are those ones that look just like regular text. Although with HTML you have the benefit of being able to use a certain font, a certain font size, bold, italics, underline, images, personalized hyperlinks, etc.
          Signature

          .


          .

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5257823].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 3genter
    I struggle here too - I have always made a fancy HTML newsletter. Seems like all the emails I get from those I follow only use Text...the big guns like Frank Kern, etc.
    Signature

    Tim Somers

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5255327].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hanakuza
    I think many IM people are more at ease with reading plain text emails, myself included. If it looks too flashy or like an html the first thought that comes to mind is it's a sales pitch.
    Signature
    Traffic Exchange | Free Traffic | Web Traffic
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5258849].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Wilson
    I use the same template that aweber uses. (HTML one)

    Why? If aweber uses it, it must be worth taking a look in it
    Signature


    -25% WF PROMO CODE: "WFPROMO911" (expires on 1.1.2012)
    http://microniche911.com
    - High search volume keywords , high CPC keywords, easy to rank keywords
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5258993].message }}

Trending Topics