What is a Broken Layout in Email Marketing?
Broken layouts in
email marketing occur when the design and structure of an email fail to render correctly across different email clients and devices. This can result in misaligned text, images out of place, and a generally unprofessional appearance. These issues can damage your brand's reputation and decrease engagement rates.
Why Do Broken Layouts Happen?
Several factors contribute to broken layouts in emails. Varying support for
HTML and CSS across email clients like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo can cause inconsistencies. Additionally, different devices and screen sizes may not display the email as intended. Lastly, coding errors or the use of unsupported elements can lead to broken layouts.
How Can You Prevent Broken Layouts?
To prevent broken layouts, follow these best practices: Use
responsive design to ensure your email adapts to different screen sizes.
Test your emails across various email clients and devices using tools like
Litmus or
Email on Acid.
Stick to basic HTML and inline CSS to maximize compatibility.
Avoid using JavaScript and Flash, as most email clients do not support them.
What Are the Common Elements That Cause Broken Layouts?
Common elements that often lead to broken layouts include: Large images that do not resize properly on smaller screens.
Complex table structures that don't render well across different clients.
External stylesheets, which may not be supported by all email clients.
Unsupported fonts that default to standard ones, disrupting the design.
How to Fix Broken Layouts?
If you encounter a broken layout, here are steps to fix it: Identify the problematic elements by testing the email in multiple clients and devices.
Refer to the
email client’s guidelines for supported HTML and CSS properties.
Use fallback styles to ensure basic rendering in unsupported clients.
Consider using email templates from trusted sources, as they are often optimized for compatibility.
What Tools Can Help You Avoid Broken Layouts?
Various tools can assist in preventing broken layouts: Litmus: Offers comprehensive testing across 90+ email clients and devices.
Email on Acid: Provides detailed previews and diagnostic reports.
Mailchimp: Includes built-in testing and responsive templates.
MJML: A framework that simplifies responsive email design.
Conclusion
Broken layouts can severely impact the effectiveness of your email marketing campaigns. Understanding why they happen and how to prevent them is crucial. By following best practices, using the right tools, and continuously testing your emails, you can ensure a consistent and professional appearance across all email clients and devices.