asked on

html email

I'm creating an HTML email to send out to clients. Basic layout no funny animation stuff just text and pics.

2 questions:

a)I read that tables are a better way to do the layout for html mail because email apps etc may not render divs/css properly. Should I use tables (I prefer to use divs)?

b)Can/should I use HTML 5 or 4 and CSS 2.x or 3?

thanks

SOLUTION

Gary

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Graham N.

For Email do not use <DIV> and CSS must be in line, do not try to place your CSS in the body header as it will invariably fail to render correctly.

Only tables will render correctly, both in the latest desktop based email progams and free web based email services (Gmail etc.)

Additionally, background images do not generally work, while having your images sourced online and not inline will raise the chance of your mail being identified as SPAM.

Other things to avoid is relying on percentage based widths for positioning, use specific widths and ensure your syntax is correct. It is also worth keeping your CSS styling as simple as possible.

Finally, never use the <tbody> element - this will be an absolute red flag for SPAM filters.

In respect to which version of HTML - avoid anything other than the simplest of HTML formatting (no HTML 5) and make sure you convert all special characters and entities in your text.

tf2012

ASKER

grahamnonweiler:

regarding:
"Additionally, background images do not generally work, while having your images sourced online and not inline will raise the chance of your mail being identified as SPAM."

it sounds like using css background-image is a no-no, and sourcing the images from a server is a spam flag. So how should I include images in the email? How is this generally accomplished?

thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION