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Email HTML Templates vs Plain Text

by Plugin Profits
12 replies
Wondering how many email marketers use those fancy HTML templates or HTML design of their email autoresponders or newsletters? Or how many only use plain text, and if anyone has tested the responsive rates of trying each way? Thanks.
#email #html #plain #templates #text
  • Profile picture of the author zimzalabim
    Personal preference has always been to send plain text emails to my lists. Think it looks "cleaner" that way. Also gets around those who block images in emails so no big ugly white space where the image should be. Never tested or used HTML. Just my opinion....
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  • Profile picture of the author trevord92
    My preference is plain text. Same as if I was just sending an email reply to someone I knew.
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  • Profile picture of the author TonyNorton
    Hey,

    Send HTML emails formatted to LOOK like plain text. You get the best of both worlds that way.

    Tony.
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  • Profile picture of the author J Gibson
    Depends on the product. If you're marketing as a very corporate and commercial unit, you'll probably want to capitalize on html emails to make yourself seem much more professional. On the other hand, plain text can be a good way to build a personal and trusting relationship with your clients - this would be a better choice if you're wanting to market yourself as an authority figure.
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    • Profile picture of the author cfcinfotech
      Originally Posted by GibsonTM View Post

      Depends on the product. If you're marketing as a very corporate and commercial unit, you'll probably want to capitalize on html emails to make yourself seem much more professional. On the other hand, plain text can be a good way to build a personal and trusting relationship with your clients - this would be a better choice if you're wanting to market yourself as an authority figure.
      yes right , depends on the product.. but i prefer text to get maximum inbox rate
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  • Profile picture of the author mrgoe
    If you know what you`re doing, sending html emails with nice looking pictures and great content will really bring you a lot of sales and make you look more of a professional. If you`re clueless about how to send optimized html emails, just go for plain text.
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    Worked as a senior editor on ThePricer.org, experienced in financial topics
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  • Profile picture of the author Romeo90
    I use plain text as most people I believe get their email on the go - for example I read all of my mail via my iPhone, my thinking is that an email with fancy graphics and styles will take longer to load, especially if they are out of wifi range etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author Plugin Profits
      Thanks. My preference is plain text right now also, though thinking of testing some other formatting.

      Plain text is easiest though Unfortunetely it can't track open rates cause of no tracking images, it only tracks clicks. So I guess text only HTML is probably better, with light formatting, bolding etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
        Originally Posted by Plugin Profits View Post

        Thanks. My preference is plain text right now also, though thinking of testing some other formatting.

        Plain text is easiest though Unfortunetely it can't track open rates cause of no tracking images, it only tracks clicks. So I guess text only HTML is probably better, with light formatting, bolding etc.
        Sounds like your best option. That way people reading the email on phones etc can easily read the it. If people have images enabled then you'll get to use open tracking.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Plain text is always the best for me. If your subscriber uses outlook, html images might get blocked or labelled spam.
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    Moderator's Note: You're only allowed to put your own products or sites in your signature.

    Signature edited.
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  • Profile picture of the author Edwin Torres
    HTML emails that LOOK like plain text emails are the best because they still look personal and you can also track opens and clicks :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by TonyNorton View Post

      Hey,

      Send HTML emails formatted to LOOK like plain text. You get the best of both worlds that way.

      Tony.
      Originally Posted by Edwin Torres View Post

      HTML emails that LOOK like plain text emails are the best because they still look personal and you can also track opens and clicks :-)
      I send both versions and let the person's email reader options decide which they see.

      Even the html version is pretty plain. It adds the tracking pixel and permits minimal formatting (paragraphs, bold/italics, anchor text in links) and that's about it. Like a prettified version of plain text.
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