EMAIL CAMPAIGN DESIGN GUIDELINE

Essential

500-600 pixels wide.The HTML email pages should be set to about 500-600 pixels wide.
100% wide table, and set a background color to that table A lot of your recipients will be checking their email in their web browser, They’ll strip out your < HTML >, < HEAD >, and < BODY > tags, in order to keep your code from interfering with their web pages. Any background colors you specify in your < BODY > tag will be lost.
Use embedded CSS and make sure it’s below the < BODY > tag. Any CSS that you place inside the < HEAD > tags will be lost. So don’t try to link to CSS files on your server.
Code your images with “absolute paths” and alt text. Instead of "Img1.gif", use "http://www.octopusjuice.com/Img/Img1.gif". Also you should always specifiy the width and height of your images, to ensure that blank place holder will cause any unwanted changes your design.
Always provide an opt-out link. It’s not only unprofessional not to allow recipients to unsubscribe from your list, but also it’s illegal.

If you’re sending “commercial” email (where you’re selling or promoting stuff), here are just a few rules you should know about:
  • That unsubscribe link must work for at least 30 days after sending your email.
  • You must include your physical mailing address in the email (PO Boxes are not sufficient)

Good Practice

Provide text-based link to a web version Have a text-based link to a web version at the top of your email.
Ask your subscriber to add your From address to their address book Ask your subscriber to add your From address to their address book at every opportunity.
Place your content at the top left You should display your most compelling content is at the top (and preferably to the left).

Not a good idea

Do not use JavaScript, or ActiveX JavaScript, or ActiveX, or embedding movies are not supported.
Do not provide an opt-out link. It’s not only unprofessional not to allow recipients to unsubscribe from your list, but also it’s illegal.