Thought html template email set up in outlook for client would be easy. requirements - a nice looking html brochure like email with a monthly investments summary. With header image; clients profile pic, headline, and body - ability for client can change like a wsiwyg: a) pdf being linked to b) change title of the link for the new month letter c) change some of the body and headline. send it out 1x a month - to 100-200 current clients - already email friendly with the client Problem: searching the internet - scarce if any info in last year or so on steps to do this in outlook. Thought it would be just create a html file for outlook for the clien to insert into his email. Also - even if this was the step - it came to me... how would the client change it like a wysiwyg works with a cms website workflow? Other problems with how outlook processes it - people recommending against using outlook for html promotional style e-mails. Meaning possibility will not render properly in other email clients. So conclusion was need to use ESP(email service provider, email marketing company). BUT - Wanted it to be a native(in the customer's current email environment/client ). - Trying to avoid for the client to have a another monthly bill for an application - Free service options have kinda big branding at the bottom(mail chimp for example) So overall question Should I abandon the approach to create a workflow for the client to create a promotional html email from outlook? And just look for the best ESP option, even for this 1x month to limited people need? Also anybody have any suggestions on the best free version of an ESP?
Domain + SMTP + some kind of CMS (one barely put together page should work fine though, too) = $0.00 (assuming that he already has the domain).
Thanks but the confused on your answer smtp - I would understand that being part of the google apps for business that serves the emails note: he uses Outlook as email application interface locally 'some kind of CMS' - 1. where does/can the cms fit in the workflow of email? I get for webpages/sites 2. How does that cms output get sent - injected into/used as an email Are you saying cms/blogging apps like wordpress allow you to create a page and send it as an email? Thx again
Point taken. Should have pointed to some resources right away. SMTP (settings): https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-the-outlook-com-smtp-server-settings-1170671 CMS (so to say; plenty of options, including WP plugins): https://www.google.lv/search?q=cms+send+email+from+outlok&rlz=1C1JZAP_enLV747LV747&oq=cms+send+email+from+outlok&aqs=chrome..69i57.4976j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=wordpress+smtp+outlook
Got it thanks again. I will experiment with that down the line. Right now he does not have a cms and not sure whether it make sense to create cms subdomain for emails. I have never heard of people doing that. But it is intriguing to try. Direct from email client: Still curious on the native environment for lack of better words. Directly from his outlook. But I guess there will be inevitable issue - modifying the html for a non tech persion - who wants nothing to do with that in there work flow.
I think you can use PHP List, to accomplish what you want with multi-domains, but it's not going to be easy at first getting it set up. The good thing is it's free and the have a community you can lean on for support. There are some ESP that allow you to send from multiple domains, but I think it comes with a cost. You'll have to look into each one specifically.