Using custom HTML code instead of Mad Mimi’s design tools is good for some, not so good for everyone. The thing about designing for email is that there are lots of email reading environments out there… and many of them render HTML differently. That being said, I’ll impart a few basic things to keep in mind when coding that’ll help you with looking okay across the board. Basics:
- Always remember to add opening and closing <html> tags.
- Always put your <style> in the <head> and use <body> tags.
- Being that Mad Mimi inlines your CSS, you can code normally, so no worries about inlining the CSS while you’re working.
- To get your images looking good with margin/padding in Outlook 2007, place your images in tables.
- For multi-column tables with images, use <style=”vertical-align:top”> (Safari likes it)
- Use <style=”font-family:helvetica”> sort of tags tags rather than <font> tags.
- Be gentle, test a bunch, and you’ll be ok. :-)
- Line-heights look wider in Outlook 2007, so you can always target Outlook 2007 directly by using a conditional statement: <!–[if gte mso 9]> // This style code will only be seen in Outlook 2007 <![endif]–>
To Find The Custom HTML Composer:
There are two different places to start composing. The first is in the Overview tab, here:
The second is in the Promotions tab, here:
Then, in the screen that pops up, choose the “Insert HTML” option on the bottom right, like this:
Mimi will load up a special Custom HTML composer tool, and you can:
- Name your promotion whatever you like.
- Paste your HTML code right into the editing area, or click on “Import HTML From” to choose to import your code directly from a zip file or a URL.
- Include any Mimi-specific code you need by placing your cursor where you want that code to appear, and clicking on the arrow next to the code on the right. In order to insure we’re following all the rules and can easily give you the tracking results you need, Mimi requires you to add at least one Opt-out link, and a Tracking Beacon. But feel free to add as many Forward, Subscribe, and “View on the Web” links as you want, too!
- Click on “Continue” to save your changes to the HTML and work on the text version of your email (which people will see if they can’t receive HTML).
Related Topics:
Can I use HTML in the Regular Composer?
How Do I Add An Unsubscribe or Subscribe Link?
Do You Have An API?
Do You Support Personalization?
