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What is HTML Mail?
Basically, HTML or “Web” mail is just
email that uses HTML tags in its body. This HTML code
is then displayed in the body of an email as it would
be in a web page.
People check their email through 1) web browsers (IE,
Netscape, Safari, Mozilla, etc.) and 2) dedicated
email applications (Eudora, Outlook, AOL, Mail, etc.).
The browser/app that the email recipient uses determines
how the HTML is displayed.
Here are some pros and cons that should be taken in
to consideration when considering HTML Email:
Pros
-You can customize emails – adding color,
images – even forms, scripts and flash.
-Emails stand out, recipients far more likely to
click on links, follow up.
-Given current email programs, it is easy to do,
although difficult to perfect.
Cons
-May look different to different email clients.
-May look like spam to user.
-Longer download time for dial-up users.
HTML email can be useful to add style and a professional
look to email – taking the user out of a purely
text environment and into a web environment that is
fully customizable. Currently, it is widely used for
marketing campaigns, promotions, and spam, but it’s
possible uses are as diverse as web pages and HTML
themselves.
Standards: The best way to make
sure that code is being displayed the same in all
clients is to use standards-compliant code –
XHTML and CSS. Newer clients support this, and while
older browsers might not support it fully, users will
still be able to get the basic text and information.
Other options: If you’re interested
in further customizing a user’s email experience,
you can also attach images (which often show to the
user in the body of the email) and add links to the
email without committing to HTML email (which may
not be fully implemented).
NYU use: Traditionally, NYU uses text-only emails
– but they did send an HTML email to announce
President Sexton’s inauguration, which mimicked
exactly the layout of his inauguration website.
Resources:
All
about HTML Email: WebMonkey
Introduction
into HTML Email: Thomas Granger
Formatting
Dual Text and HTML Newsletters
HTML
Email(AOL)
OL2000:
How Outlook Renders HTML
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