Display Issues: Why Emails Appear Differently Across Platforms and Understanding Email Rendering
Crafting a compelling newsletter can make a big impact on engagement. Yet, even with careful design, email displays can vary across different platforms. Ever wondered why an email looks perfect in one program but is distorted in another?
Why Emails Look Different Across Platforms
Email programs interpret HTML (or CSS) coding differently, which leads to diverse rendering outcomes. Things like the HTML5 Doctype or underlying rendering engines such as Microsoft Word can affect how emails appear. Each program, whether it's Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, or mobile apps, may have its own rendering rules, resulting in different appearances.
Ensuring Optimal Email Display
1. Preview Testing: Before sending, preview your newsletter to assess its appearance across desktop and mobile devices.
2. Email Testing: Send test emails to multiple addresses to preview rendering across different programs and personalized settings. We advise sending test emails from the preview page as it will display the design and the content in the upcoming content pool for a more accurate representation.
Dealing with Image Display Challenges
Some email platforms, such as Outlook, might block images by default or ask for user permission to show them. If you're using a VPN or working within organizational networks, these hurdles could get trickier. To ease these headaches, consider getting your domains whitelisted and authenticated.
Template Design
Our templates undergo careful and clean design processes. However, since Outlook renders email HTML using Microsoft Word, the display may not always align with other email platforms. Microsoft Word's print-centric design approach can lead to discrepancies in email display.
If you spot any differences between your template design and email rendering, don't hesitate to drop us a line help@memberclicks.com. Our team is here to lend a hand and fix any rendering issues you come across.
By understanding the intricacies of email rendering and taking proactive steps, you can optimize engagement and ensure effective communication across various email platforms.