Why You Should NOT Send HTML Email

NOTE: If you have a question you'd like to ask,
                 Click Here to Submit Your Question

Dear Holly,

Is there a reason you send your newsletter in text instead of HTML? I am getting ready to write some autoresponder messages, and need to know if it's better to use text or HTML. Thanks.

— Jackie C.

Dear Jackie,

That's an excellent question. And, yes, there IS a reason I send my newsletter in text rather than in HTML. Actually, there are THREE reasons…

1. HTML views differently in different email programs. So, while an HTML message may view correctly in most programs, some of my readers may receive a message with very strange formatting. Even worse…they may receive a message that is full of HTML code, which would make the entire newsletter unreadable.
2. HTML takes up more space. Some people (especially those using free email accounts) have limited space available in their inboxes.
3. An HTML file is larger than a text file. So, HTML takes longer to download…not a problem if you're using a broadband connection, but very time-consuming for people using dial-up modems.

I also send all my autoresponder messages in text instead of HTML. Here's why…

• When you send an email to a friend, do you write it in text or do you write it in HTML? Everyone I know just bops out a quick text message.

And, when you receive an email message in HTML (with color, etc.) what do you do?

I know I am so used to receiving colorful HTML ads that, when something arrives in HTML, I delete it without reading it. Obviously, when I send a series of messages via my autoresponder, I want the recipient to read the message. I've found they're more likely to do that if the message looks like it came from a friend…which means I must write it in text.

— Holly Cotter