How do I create HTML emails?

HTML emails allow you to format your messages using elements such as images, styled text, headings and links. This can be useful if you want your emails to match your business branding or create more visually engaging messages.

HTML emails may display differently depending on the email client, browser or device used by the recipient. Some email clients may also block external images by default. While using HTML does not automatically make an email more likely to be treated as spam, poorly formatted HTML, suspicious links, excessive images or other content commonly associated with unsolicited email can affect deliverability.

There are several ways you can create an HTML email.

Create an HTML email using your email client

Most modern email applications, including Microsoft Outlook, support HTML formatting when composing messages.

When writing your email, you can use the formatting options provided by your email application to change fonts and text styles, create lists, add links and insert images.

The options available will depend on the email application and version you are using.

Create your own HTML email

If you are familiar with HTML, you can create your own email template. However, HTML emails should generally be kept simpler than webpages, as email applications do not support all HTML and CSS features in the same way that modern web browsers do.

For example, JavaScript is generally unsupported or blocked by email clients, and some CSS styling may not display consistently.

If you create your own HTML email, we recommend testing it in several email applications and on both desktop and mobile devices before sending it to a large number of recipients.

Where possible, you should also include alternative text for images and provide a plain-text version of your message.

Use an email marketing service

If you are sending newsletters, promotional emails or other messages to a large number of recipients, we recommend using a dedicated email marketing service rather than sending them through a standard mailbox.

Email marketing platforms are designed specifically for bulk email campaigns and usually provide templates, HTML editors, mailing-list management and other tools to help you create and send professional emails.