Text or html?
Whether to send text or html mail can only be determined by testing.
Some people do not like to receive html mails, and others can not even view them.
The deciding factor is not just whether users mail programmes can view html mails, but "Does the reader want html?" The only way to know for sure is to ask them!
Always offer a text version. Html should be an option, not a substitute.
Advantages of html mail:
- better response rate
- you can track the number of mails opened
- visually appealing
- better control over link appearance
- seamless click-through to your site
Disadvantages of html mail:
- most experienced net users prefer plain text messages
- modem will try to dial up an internet connection if read offline
- not viewable in all mail programmes
- AOL users are unable to view html unless using version 6 or higher
- larger file size (longer download time)
- broken images if read offline