Support - Email Marketing and Outlook 2007

Question: As more people move to Outlook 2007, what design changes should I make in order to ensure that my marketing emails look the way I want them to?

Answer: Unlike previous versions of Outlook which used Internet Explorer to render HTML emails, Outlook 2007 instead uses Microsoft Word and that means that a number of commonly-used HTML properties aren't supported.

Two of the biggest issues created by this change are the lack of support for background images and CSS positioning.

In the case of background images, the safest approach is to keep body text and imagery separate and not to rely on background images to drive your design. As for CSS positioning, reverting to standard HTML tables to control your layout will ensure that the email will display as you intended it to.

Thank you to Terry Miller of CRM Group for providing this information. CRM Group specializes in the development and implementation of customer acquisition and retention strategies, including email marketing.

Special offer: Want a free, high-level Outlook 2007 readiness review for one of your HTML emails? Simply send your HTML file to terry@crmgroupusa.com and they'll have one of their developers review it and provide specific recommendations on changes you should make to ensure Outlook 2007 compliance.

Just getting started with email marketing? Check out Adhost's Email Marketing Manager.