Does anyone know of a good way to create and then test HTML emails? With the various web mail accounts (Yahoo, Gmail, Aol, etc.) and email programs, it would be helpful if there was a tool out there, that helped code and test html emails. Something like a Dreamweaver extension would be helpful or a lightweight stand alone program would be fine. It would save a ton of time testing by cutting out the manual testing part. Does anyone know if there's something like this out there?
The Campaign Monitor Tools looks really useful. Thanks for the tip! Although, it would be great if there was a separate email development program out there so you didn't have to pay to use it each time.
Cody, I don't understand. This look like an email form that will send emails with one of your client's designs ?
Lots of people don't allow HTML in their emails because it's a security risk (it can be a really big one). If you're sticking to HTML you might otherwise be fine-- if you want CSS with that, you're in for a ride. The differences between web browsers that drive us crazy are even worse in various email programs. Isn't there some way you can garentee that your clients have one email hoster or another??
Yes. You may put as many variable as needed: salutations, pictures, whatever, you name it. You put your text and click send. Your recipient receives an email in HTML...Did you try with your own email? The dude and infos are bogus of course...
You're right that HTML emails are seen as more of a security risk than a plain text emails. However, graphical/HTML emails can provide so much more from a marketing/branding perspective. And you're point is exactly the reason why an email development tool can be helpful and efficient. There are even more variables to be concerned with when developing HTML emails than when trying to create standards compliant websites. There really isn't any guarantee that email recipients will have one email program or another. If someone opts in to your list, you'll want to do your best from the development perspective so they'll be able to see your email offer. Otherwise only a portion of your opt-ins would be worth anything.
Cody - do you have a way to test what the emails look like in the various email clients? Basically to ensure they're viewing as intended?