Everything Your Email Template Should Have 

Credit:Sitthiphong

You will get plenty of ideas when you search for free template samples on the internet. It is fair to say some ideas are very serviceable for your business. These serviceable emails have a nice look, are responsive to mobile layouts, and allow you to customize your brand.

But before you jump on any free template or create your template, it is worth noting that there is a way the human brain functions when reading. The brain is attracted to specific attributes that should be captured in an email if you want to grab someone’s attention. You can read in this article more about how the brain functions.

Back to our article, we will examine all required in an email template to make it an excellent email.

A Preheader

The preheader is also referred to as the snippet. It is the first line the recipient sees as the preview in their message.

The information on a preheader is usually next to a subject line, and it tells the recipient what they should expect when they open a message. It is similar to the meta description you see on a web page.

A preheader is like a subtitle to your subject line. You are only given room to use about 100 characters. Most stock email templates squander that space with commonplace phrases, but you should ensure that your email does not do that. Use a line that previews the message content compellingly.

Template Header

Your template should start with a header. It comes first and contains the cues the reader will receive in their inbox. The header should be concise and show the reader what value they will derive from reading the message.

When you get the header right in your template, you will ensure the recipient takes time to read the email. On the contrary, getting the header wrong is a deal breaker, and no matter how good the rest of the email is, the recipient will not bother reading it.

The Email Subject Line

An excellent email template should drive you into designing a great subject line. Many publications have touched on coming up with great subject lines.

It would be worth noting that what works for another business may not necessarily work for you. However, your email template should ensure that you follow several consistent rules.

The reader can quickly get the point, and it works on various devices, including phones. The good news is that it is only 50 characters long or a few dozen words long.

The Email Template Body

After the recipient goes through the header and subject line, now you have a chance to tell a story through the template body. A good email template body should:

1. Be visually straightforward. Use a responsive design such as a single-column layer. It works perfectly in both mobile and desktop email.

2. Contain placeholders for personification. This means personalizing salutations and some stakeholder text, like store locations. A more complex template can contain rules personalizing offers and content according to the customer database and the business systems.

3. Use images strategically. An excellent strategy is a structured approach emphasizing a “hero image.”

4. Assist you in enforcing a succinct approach to copy. A brief copy will scale well to mobile devices and make it easier for the customer to take the desired action.

5. Have a straightforward call to action. Most emails should drive another activity, such as visiting a web page or using an application. A successful email template will make your call to action straightforward, clear, and a natural part of your email.

You can also include interactive features to enhance your engagement with your readers on your email template. Select a suitable format that the users understand from GIFs, videos, or image carousels.

Email Signature

The email signature is the last part where you can add the final on-brand statement. You can create an automatic signature using generic data such as contact information or personalize it with logos and taglines to develop a positive brand association.

Ensure your templates achieve the desired goals and enhance interactions through different channels by including social media links.

The Footer

You might quickly dismiss the footer as a part of the email that contains unnecessary information nobody looks at. Yet, the footer is where several email must-haves are included. Without these details, your emails might be viewed as spam, and you may face legal penalties. Ensure you include:

• Contact information
• Legal disclosures
• Who sent the email, or why the customer received it
• Straightforward unsubscribe and messaging preference links

The Takeaway

An excellent email template is the basis of success with your emails. When you include these critical elements in your structure, you can focus on what matters the most: passing the message to customers and getting the response your business requires. Therefore, ensure you don’t miss any business opportunities due to poor templates.