It’s a common dilemma in email marketing – HTML or plain text emails. The key is not to pick one over the other. The current best practice is to send a “multipart” email that includes a designed HTML version for aesthetics and a plain text version for compatibility and deliverability.
Here’s why both versions matter. The HTML email allows for branding, images, and tracking links – visible to most subscribers. Conversely, the plain text version serves as a backup for older email platforms or users blocking HTML content. Including a plain text version also signals positively to spam filters, boosting your deliverability.
Most email platforms automatically generate a plain text version from your HTML design. Your strategic decision lies in whether your primary HTML design will be graphic-rich or styled to resemble a personal text message.
Cheers,
Sean