The key to building email communications using HTML is compatibility and structural simplification. 1. Use table layout to replace Flexbox or Grid to ensure stable display in major mailbox clients; 2. All CSS styles need to be written inline to avoid relying on external style sheets; 3. Images should be clearly set width and add alternative text, and the buttons should be simulated with linked table cells; 4. It must be tested on multiple mailbox clients and devices, and use tools such as Litmus or Email on Acid to ensure consistent results. Following the above points can improve the compatibility and actual effect of HTML emails.

When doing email marketing, many people will directly think of using ready-made tools or platforms to design email content. But if you want higher levels of customization freedom, such as more precise control of typography, color, or responsive effects, using HTML to build email newsletters is a very practical option.

However, HTML performs well in web pages, which does not mean that it can be displayed normally in all mailbox clients. So the key point is: compatibility is preferred, simple structure, and inline style.

1. Use table layout instead of CSS Grid or Flexbox

Most modern web pages recommend using Flexbox or Grid for layout, but these technologies are not stable in HTML mail. Many mailbox clients (such as Outlook) have limited support for them.

Suggested practices:

• Use <table> for overall layout<li> Tables can be nested, but not too complicated</li> <li> Each block uses <code><tr> and <code><td> to control the position<pre class='brush:php;toolbar:false;'> &lt;table width=&quot;100%&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot; cellpacing=&quot;0&quot;&gt; &lt;tr&gt; &lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt; &lt;table width=&quot;600&quot; cellpadding=&quot;20&quot; cellpacing=&quot;0&quot;&gt; &lt;tr&gt; &lt;td&gt;This is the title area&lt;/td&gt; &lt;/tr&gt; &lt;tr&gt; &lt;td&gt;This is the main content&lt;/td&gt; &lt;/tr&gt; &lt;/table&gt; &lt;/td&gt; &lt;/tr&gt; &lt;/table&gt;</pre><hr /><h3 id="Inline-CSS-styles-to-avoid-external-stylesheets"> 2. Inline CSS styles to avoid external stylesheets</h3><p> The mailbox client supports <code><style> tags and external CSS differently. To ensure that the style is applied correctly, the best way is to write CSS inside the tag.

  Operation skills:

  • Use style attribute to define style
  • All fonts, colors, margins, etc. must be written on the label
  • You can automatically convert CSS to inline using tools such as Mailchimp's Inline Styler

   <td style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: #333;">
    This is a standard text.
  </td>

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  3. Pay attention to how pictures and buttons are processed

  Although HTML mail supports images, some users will not load images by default. Therefore, when inserting the picture, add alternative text (alt text) and try not to let the picture bear the main information.

  Suggestions about pictures:

  • Image width is specified explicitly (for example width="300" )
  • Add alt="How to use HTML for building email newsletters?"
  • Don't use background images, use the tag instead

  Button processing method:

  • Don't use <button> , because many clients do not support it
  • Simulate buttons with links table cells

   <table cellpadding="0" cellpacing="0">
    <tr>
      <td bgcolor="#007BFF" style="padding: 12px 24px; border-radius: 4px;">
        <a href="#" style="color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;">Click here</a>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </table>

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  4. Test and test again

  Even if you write HTML mail in accordance with best practices, you must test it on multiple mailbox clients (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.) and on devices.

  Test suggestions:

  • Use professional tools like Litmus or Email on Acid
  • Send it to yourself to preview different email accounts
  • Check whether there are any problems such as misalignment, font exceptions, and pictures not loading

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  Basically that's it. HTML mail development is not as modern as web pages, but it is still very effective as long as you pay more attention to structure, style, and compatibility.

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