With so much time and energy focused on brand, the imagery we present becomes an important part of our email campaign message and style. Whether your business email marketing campaign is an e-newsletter or a direct bulk email marketing strategy, images capture your recipient’s attention.
Obstacles to your Images
Blocked or Disabled: It is estimated that anywhere between 20 and 50 percent of email recipients block all or some of their images. By default, several popular email programs disable the images automatically. Many users do not change that default, and therefore never see your images within your email marketing campaigns.
Spam filters: With a rising surge in image-based spam, your legitimate email newsletters and email marketing campaigns can end up being blocked and spammed. The worst case scenario is that you can end up on the dreaded blacklists. We suggest not using image-based emails.
Electronic Devices: More and more portable devices are used for sending and receiving email. Most of these devices are text based, meaning your images are never seen. Knowing the software client in which your email will be received, takes research and strategy. Using a good email marketing software application is critical to creating the right email address list and demographics needed for each e-campaign.
Work around the Obstacles
- Keep your introduction text based. Do not use large banners or clickable graphics in your header. Most users preview their emails in a small preview pane. The first few lines of your email should state your message in clear, simple text.
- Take advantage of Alt Text. (ALT text displays before the image is loaded) If an image is disabled or turned off, the recipient will still see the message.
- Use captions under the image. If you place the caption within the image, the message will not be seen if the images are disabled or blocked.
- Do not use image-based emails. Since all image-based email is detected as spam, your message and content may never reach the recipient.
Keeping your Images Light
Even with the advanced technology and high-speed of DSL and cable, embedded images may take too long to load, with precious time wasted. Keep your images under 25 kb. Consider using dynamic images, loaded on the server. With a simple coded link, your images will load quickly keeping your email campaigns light and user-friendly. Having the images load from the server helps avoid the image spam filters.
Image Overload
Too many images can overshadow your content and message especially when sending out bulk emails. Too many images can add unnecessary weight in delivery and opening time. Use images wisely. Plan and arrange them carefully within your email campaign. Use the least possible amount of images. Maybe it is time to consider an email template for your next email campaign?
Optimize Your Images for the Preview Pane
Most people do not maximize their windows. They view their emails through default sized preview panes within their email clients. The average preview pane is estimated to be around 300-500 pixels high. With that in mind, keep your images small. Always remember to test your emails before sending.
