Campaign text or content styling looks different when sent to an inbox

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Introduction

When you create an email campaign in ActiveCampaign, the visual appeal of your message is crucial for engagement. However, a common issue many users face is that the campaign text or content styling appears differently in the recipient's inbox compared to how it looks in the ActiveCampaign drag-and-drop designer. This discrepancy can detract from the professional appearance of your emails and lead to misunderstandings in your messaging. This article will explore why these formatting issues occur, how to address them, and provide best practices to ensure your emails look great when delivered.

How to Access

You can access the campaign text and content styling options through the ActiveCampaign dashboard. Simply navigate to your campaigns, and when editing your email content in the drag-and-drop designer, you will be able to see all relevant formatting tools and options.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To ensure your campaign text retains its formatting when sent, follow these steps:

1. **Open** the ActiveCampaign dashboard and navigate to your campaigns.
2. **Select** the campaign you want to edit by clicking on it.
3. **Enter** the drag-and-drop email designer.
4. **Add** a new text block or edit an existing one by clicking on it.
5. **Paste** your content. If your content is coming from an external source, it is recommended to strip it of any additional formatting.

Recommended Steps for Pasting Text

1. **Use** a plain text editor, such as Notepad or an online plain text editor, to paste your content first. This strips away any hidden styles. 2. **Copy** the text from the plain text editor. 3. **Paste** this plain text into your new text block in the ActiveCampaign drag-and-drop designer. 4. **Save** your changes and preview as needed.

Configuration Options and Settings

To effectively manage your campaign text styling, consider the following options:

• **Plain Text**: Always ensure text is plain by using a simple text editor.
• **Web Safe Fonts**: Utilize only web safe fonts. These fonts are more likely to display consistently across various email clients.
• **CSS Variables**: Avoid using CSS variables in your coding, as they are not supported by major email clients like Gmail and Outlook.

These settings will help minimize the discrepancies in your email's appearance once sent.

Best Practices and Tips

In addition to the steps and configuration options detailed above, adhering to these best practices can further enhance the consistency of your email campaigns:

• **Disable Browser Extensions**: Make sure to turn off extensions like Grammarly when typing directly in the text block to prevent unwanted markup or formatting.
• **Test Your Emails**: Always send a test version of your email to multiple email clients (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) to verify how the formatting holds up in different environments.
• **Keep Formatting Consistent**: Stick with basic formatting options provided in the drag-and-drop editor rather than pasting complex styled content.

Common Use Cases with Examples

1. **Marketing Promotions**: When sending a promotional email, maintaining consistent font size and style is crucial for readability and professionalism. Ensure you follow the above steps for optimal results. 2. **Newsletter Updates**: For regular newsletter communications, the use of plain text formatted properly can enhance the delivery without losing readers’ attention through inconsistent styling.

Troubleshooting

If you notice that the content is still not displaying correctly after following the above guidelines, consider these troubleshooting tips:

• **Check Source of Pasted Text**: Ensure that any text pasted into the designer is clean, with no CSS or HTML that could affect the styling.
• **Review Email Client Rules**: Understand that different email clients interpret HTML and CSS differently, which can lead to inconsistency. Always run tests on multiple platforms.
• **Contact Support**: If issues persist, reach out to the ActiveCampaign Customer Experience Team for further assistance.

FAQ

Why does my email look different in my inbox than in the designer?

This often happens due to pasting content with hidden styles or unsupported HTML from external sources. Always use plain text.

What are web safe fonts?

Web safe fonts are fonts that are widely supported across various email clients. Examples include Arial, Times New Roman, and Georgia.

How can I ensure my emails are consistent across different email clients?

Testing your emails in multiple clients before sending is the best way to ensure consistent appearance. Utilize only plain text and web safe fonts.

What if I need custom HTML coding?

If you have custom coding needs, consider consulting with a developer or an ActiveCampaign Certified Consultant for the best results.

Can browser extensions affect email formatting?

Yes, certain browser extensions, like Grammarly, can modify text in ways that may not be visible in the editor but affect the final output.

Are there limitations to what I can do in the email designer?

Yes, certain CSS styles and complex layouts might not render correctly across all email clients. Stick to the use of plain text and basic styling.

How can I verify my email looks correct before sending?

Always send a test email to various email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) to ensure your formatting displays correctly.

By following these guidelines, you can optimize your email campaigns, ensuring that the text and content appear consistently as intended when viewed by recipients. For further assistance, don’t hesitate to consult the ActiveCampaign resources or reach out to support. ```