How to Use the Email Builder for Email Templates

Created by Stefan Perchinkov, Modified on Tue, 25 Feb at 6:25 AM by Stefan Perchinkov

When using the email builder, an email template is a preset layout into which you can insert images, videos, and text elements to create a customized template for future emails.

Please note that an email template will not be the final email sent to contacts; it is just a layout placeholder for you to use as a foundation for future emails. The actual email that you will send out is called an email campaign.

We recommend only using placeholder text and custom values when creating an email template in the builder. The unique and customized text should be added once you send out an email campaign (that uses the template as its foundation).

You can create an email template using any of these three editors:

Code Editor:

In the Code Editor, you can use HTML to modify and customize the email with code.

Plain Text Editor:

The Plain Text Editor allows you to create plain text emails using your email campaign feature. This streamlined editor is designed for crafting simple, text-based emails without the complexity of HTML or design elements.
Benefit: Plain text emails often have higher open rates as they appear more personal and less formal.

Includes:

Simple Text Formatting: Basic tools for text formatting such as font size, bold, italics, and headers.
Basic Text Types: Options for paragraphs, headings, and other text structures.
Link Insertion: Ability to add clickable links to text.
Image Embedding: Option to embed images within the email.
Text Alignment: Tools for aligning text and adjusting spacing.
Bulleted Lists: Ability to create and format bulleted lists.
Custom Values and Trigger Links: Support for custom values and trigger links to personalize emails.
Preview Options: Preview emails on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Sender and Subject Line Settings: Adjust sender details and subject lines.
Testing Capabilities: Test emails before sending to ensure they appear as expected.

Design Editor:

In the Design Editor, you can drag and drop elements, use different layouts, and customize the email more efficiently.

How to use:

Part 1: Starting From A Blank Template

Navigate to the Marketing tab.
Navigate to "Email Marketing" and select "Templates".
Click "New" and choose "Blank Template".
Select ‘Design Editor’.

Compose your email and attach any necessary images. Adjust the font size and style as desired to suit your needs.

You can also use the AI feature to generate email content.

Click on the three dots to handle the settings, send a test email, or preview this email

Click on "Save template" to exist

Note: You can choose from pre-made template options or create a new one from a pre-existing one in your account.

Part 2: Understanding The Builder

You can edit the default template title at the top of the builder.
On the left side of the editor, you will see all the Content Elements.
These elements are:
- text, image, button, divider, social, footer, code, video, shopping cart, RRS Header, and RSS Items.
In the Layouts section, you can add rows with a certain number of columns.
On the left side, there is also an Appearance tab.

Inside this tab, you can change the background color, body color, image of the background, button, divider settings, Custom CSS, and Mobile Formatting.

On the right side of the editor, you can see three dots. This is where you can test your email, preview the template, view the version history, and adjust the template's settings.
The Save button is located at the top right. Clicking it will save your template and all the last changes made.
You can use the inline editor to customize the text.
Key Aspects:
Styling Options:
Heading levels: Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, Heading 4, Heading 5, and Paragraphs.
Approximately 18 fonts are available, with plans to include custom fonts for Google.
Wide range of font sizes: from 8px to 96px.
Text color and text highlight options allow users to select colors using hex codes.
Formatting options: bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough.
Convenient Features:
Hyperlinking for word redirection and text alignment.
Proper line spacing: 1.5 for paragraphs and 1.25 for headings.
Bullet list capabilities: both ordered and unordered lists.
Text formatting that supports seamless copy and paste from external sources while removing any applied styling.
Custom values support to cater to specific needs.
Content AI: leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to assist in generating content faster.
Updated Default Padding Settings:
Top: 12
Bottom: 12
Left: 24
Right: 24

Part 3: Using The Builder

By default, the template will have a text element that says “Start from scratch.”

You can click on that text to edit, but you can also delete it by hovering over the element. This action will open the element options, and you can click on the trashcan to delete.

To customize your editor, you must first grab a layout (choosing the number of columns in that section), then drag and drop it where you want that section to be within the email.
Then, you can grab the element you want to add and drag and drop it over this layout.
When you do that, the element settings will appear on the left side of the screen, where you can edit the element as needed.
You can add additional layouts and elements as needed.

If you are struggling to develop new designs for your email template, feel free to use our premade templates as inspiration or a starting point for your own emails.

Pro Tips

Consistency: Use a consistent layout and design to maintain brand identity.
Testing: Always test your emails by sending them to yourself before finalizing.
Content AI: Leverage AI tools to speed up content creation and ensure quality.

FAQ

How do I choose the right editor for my email template?
- Use the Code Editor for advanced customization with HTML, the Plain Text Editor for simple, text-based emails, and the Design Editor for a visual, drag-and-drop experience.
Can I use custom values in my email templates?
- Yes, custom values can be used to personalize your email content. Make sure to add these values when creating your email campaign, not in the template.
How do I preview my email template before sending?
- Use the preview option found in the settings (three dots) to view how your email will appear on different devices.
What should I do if I want to make changes to a pre-made template?
- Open the template in the Design Editor, make your changes, and save it as a new template or overwrite the existing one.
How can I ensure my emails are not too formal and maintain a personal touch?
- Use the Plain Text Editor for a more personal feel and avoid overloading your emails with too many design elements.