What CSS Properties are Safe to Use?
To ensure maximum compatibility, stick to basic CSS properties such as font-family, font-size, color, and background-color. Avoid using advanced properties like flexbox or grid, as these may not be supported by all email clients.
How Can You Test CSS Compatibility?
Use tools like
Litmus or
Email on Acid to test how your emails will look across different email clients and devices. These platforms provide previews and highlight areas where your CSS might not render correctly, allowing you to make necessary adjustments before sending.
What Are Some Workarounds for Limited CSS Support?
For email clients with limited CSS support, consider using inline CSS, which is more widely supported than embedded or external stylesheets. Additionally, utilize
media queries for responsive design and focus on a simple, single-column layout to minimize rendering issues.
Use
inline styles for critical CSS properties.
Test your emails across multiple clients and devices.
Avoid using JavaScript, as it's generally unsupported.
Optimize for mobile by using fluid and responsive designs.
Use fallback fonts and colors for better cross-client compatibility.
Can You Use Custom Fonts in Email Marketing?
Custom fonts can be used, but their support is limited. To ensure your email looks good even when the custom font doesn't load, always specify fallback fonts in your CSS. Popular email clients like Apple Mail and iOS Mail support custom fonts, but others like Outlook may not.
Conclusion
CSS compatibility is a fundamental aspect of effective email marketing. By understanding the capabilities and limitations of different email clients, testing thoroughly, and following best practices, you can create visually appealing and consistent email campaigns that engage your audience effectively.