Email Marketing - HTML or Plain Text?

[theChronic]

hey folks

I want to start sending some of my users a newsletter, however I am in the debate whether to go with HTML emails (that would be MUCH more beneficial and I could pack more viral stuff into them) or to go with Plain Text emails?

Does anyone know about how many people receive each of them? I have always gotten HTML emails so I figured that is the norm, but I dont think it is (most colleges give out Plain Text email I think?)

Any tips on what to do?

Thanks

[lordspace]

If you use CSS you may would like to read this article

http://www.xavierfrenette.com/articl...rt-in-webmail/

Svet

[kristeejo]

I always create BOTH. That way, if a user cannot receive HTML emails, it will send the txt. one.

[ianternet]

i use text, its simple and I do not have to worry if the user accepts html or not

[Thomas Schulz]

At least be sure to test your emails. I often get HTML only emails... Those emails are deleted immediately. I continue to read my emails as text, 2007 or not

[IslaScotts]

Originally Posted by kristeejo

I always create BOTH. That way, if a user cannot receive HTML emails, it will send the txt. one.

This is the way I have always seen it done as well. Most companies I have worked for created both, although 9 out 10 times HTML was sent. Personally I like sticking to txt... then again.. I am just lazy hehehe

[iworkforthem]

HTML! It will make the whole newsletter more appealing.

[NotNow]

well one question about the Html or text, say you send an email that has links on it will the person be able to click on it if it's text??

[kristeejo]

I'm thinkin' Victorias Secret sales would suffer if they switched from HTML emails to Text based emails....

[Janet]

Since we are on the topic, does anyone have a good email marketing program or website they could recommend? I am just starting to look into doing this. thanks~

[Kasparoff]

This depends on the subject matter of your future emails. If they require a fancy image content, then HTML would be the way to go. If that would be a mere newsletter with a bunch of URL, then plain text format would be just fine. It's simpler, lighter and quicker to send.

[kristeejo]

Originally Posted by Janet

Since we are on the topic, does anyone have a good email marketing program or website they could recommend? I am just starting to look into doing this. thanks~

Intellicontact.com is the best IMO

[Janet]

Originally Posted by kristeejo

Intellicontact.com is the best IMO

thanks, I'll check it out.

[WillB]

Some others are Aweber, Email Aces and GetResponse. I use
Aweber personally, but they're all pretty much the same

As for HTML vs Text - can't you do both? That's what MIME is
all about: being able to send several versions of the same email
message encoded in different ways, and then it's up to the
receiving email client to choose the appropriate one to display.

Or, send a plain text email with a link to the web based HTML
newsletter, so your readers have to click the link to read the
HTML page.

[TheBrain]

Originally Posted by lordspace

If you use CSS you may would like to read this article

http://www.xavierfrenette.com/articl...rt-in-webmail/

Svet

As a matter of fact, CSS designers should read this http://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/..._design_b.html

especially if we consider that a lot of users still rely on outlook and Microsoft to manage their email accounts.

[adquick]

Personally, i always send out text emails, as i know for sure everyones email will look the same, but i do also create an HTML version and put it online and in the text email i send out i put a link to it so the users can view it if they want.

[georgechristodoulou]

I will go for html so you can put links but some people can turn off html because they want to fend off offensive pictures.

[ladan]

Personally, I mostly prefer plain text emails as a subscriber because you don't have to worry about what type of photo is showing up, if the email is too cluttered with images instead of content, and so on.

Also as a newsletter publisher and Internet marketer myself, sending plain text messages is easier too.

Also a friend of mine who has a large opt-in list, ran a survey in his list asking what is their preferred newsletter format: text or HTML? Over 73% said they preferred text.

You can also learn more about the pros and cons of text and HTML message formats in this article.

[ProjectGreenbacks]

I have found that HTML converts better BUT text only won't get deleted as spam so it gets read more. The only answer is to do testing to see which works best for you.

[Janet]

I am just starting an email newsletter. Can anyone tell me the *average* percentage of emails that are opened? I know the number will vary, but just trying to get an idea of what a good percentage would be.