HTML Email

What header tags do I need/not need?

[jesstp]

Hi,

I am creating a HTML email to send out to clients. I have just started at this company and they do not have software to send out HTML emails.

So my plan was to create the email in notepad, view it in IE and then send Page by Email.

Most of the clients will not be using web based emails.

I have seen that I don't need to use the DOCTYPE tag or to use CSS, which is all fine. Do I just stick with the normal HTML and BODY tags?

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated as I am self taught and learning as I go.

Thanks

[tedster]

In short:

1. Remember that Outlook now uses the MS Word rendering engine (shudder) and not IE. So view your html version in MS Word!
2. Keep source code as simple as possible
3. CSS should be inline, not external
4. CSS positioning is not ready for prime time in email - use table structures
5. Images should be called from the server, not attached. This helps your email get into more corporate environments.

Here's a good summary of the challenges: [webmasterworld.com...]

[jesstp]

Thanks.

Though can you please explain - 'Outlook now uses the MS Word rendering engine (shudder) and not IE. So view your html version in MS Word!'

I just tried to view my HTML in word and it was fine, but the image did not show up. I then saved and re opened in Notepad and a whole load of code has been added!

Also, am I best sending page by email in IE - word doesn't let me send it unless via attachement (apparently it wasn't installed properly).

Thanks so much for your help!

[tedster]

You just open your html file in Word to make sure the source code renders the way you hoped - don't use Word to actually create the code.

am I best sending page by email in IE

Sorry, does not compute. You need to use an email client, not a browser.

If this will be anything more than a one-off email, then the company should definitely get some software to use for this. Some of my clients use Gammadyne, which has very reasonable shareware and retail prices.

More complex email solutions can also track various campaigns, but Gammadyne on its own has pretty sophisticated controls. For instance, it lets you throttle your send output so that any given email service doesn't get hit too quickly and send the messages into a black hole or spam filter.

[jesstp]

That is great thanks. I will definately be investigating options.

Sorry, I meant - when viewing in IE, file > send page by email > then using outlook to send

Only way I can think of apart from proper software.

Thanks again, you have been a big help!

[vincevincevince]

Write your code like it is 1995; apart from the BLINK and MARQUEE tags. Forget anything you have learnt in the last decade as it does not work in most email clients.

[jesstp]

LOL, thanks!