Classic Designer: Blocks explained

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Classic Designer: Blocks Explained

The Classic Designer in ActiveCampaign allows users to effortlessly create visually appealing email campaigns, automation emails, and templates using drag-and-drop design blocks. Understanding these blocks and how to utilize them effectively is crucial for maximizing the impact of your email marketing efforts. This article dives into the various types of blocks available, how to access and use them, and best practices for creating engaging emails.

What is the Classic Designer?

The Classic Designer is a user-friendly tool within ActiveCampaign that provides a collection of drag-and-drop design blocks. This tool enables users to craft customized emails without needing any coding skills. By understanding how to implement these design blocks, users can enhance their email marketing strategies, creating campaigns that are not only visually appealing but also effective in driving engagement with recipients.

How to Access the Classic Designer

To access the Classic Designer:

1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Navigate to the Campaigns section from the main dashboard. 3. Select Create a new Campaign. 4. Choose Email and select the Classic Designer to start designing your email.

Types of Email Design Blocks

The Classic Designer offers various types of email design blocks, each serving a unique purpose. Below are the main blocks you can utilize:

1. Text Block

Use the Text block to add text to your email or email template. By clicking on the text block once added, you can access the editing toolbar to customize the font, size, color, and alignment of your text. Additionally, you can insert links and personalization tags. Under the Options tab, you can modify line height, background color, and adjust padding and margins.

2. Image Block

The Image block allows you to incorporate images or gifs into your emails. You can edit these images using the integrated image editor to enhance their appearance.

3. Button Block

Utilize the Button block to create attractive calls-to-action. In the Options tab, you can modify the button's text, link, color, size, and shape to meet your campaign's design requirements.

4. Video Block

The Video block enables you to link to a video directly in your email. It generates a screenshot of your video with a play button, allowing recipients to click and view the video in a new browser tab or window.

5. Line Break

The Line break design element offers a horizontal line break between content blocks for improved visual separation.

6. Spacer

The Spacer is a mobile-friendly design element that helps to create blank space between your content blocks, enhancing readability and layout.

7. RSS Feed

The RSS feed block permits you to insert your RSS feed, allowing you to automatically share updates and new blog posts with your contacts.

8. Social Links

Use the Social links block to add clickable links to your social media profiles, enabling recipients to share your content across their social networks.

9. HTML Block

The HTML block gives you the flexibility to add custom HTML code to your email, which can be used for various purposes, such as embedding countdown clocks.

10. Products Block

Available for Plus, Professional, and Enterprise account holders, the Products block displays items from your connected Shopify store, including images, names, prices, descriptions, and links to purchase directly.

11. Abandoned Cart Block

Exclusively available in automation emails, the Abandoned cart block appears when configuring emails for any automation using the "Abandons Cart" trigger.

12. Predictive Content Block

The Predictive content block assists Professional and Enterprise users by delivering personalized content to the right contacts, enhancing engagement based on user behavior.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Adding and Moving Blocks

To effectively use design blocks in your email:

Adding Design Blocks

1. In the Classic Designer, locate the desired block in the right menu. 2. Drag the block to your desired location in the design area. 3. A green highlighted line will appear to show where the block will be placed upon release.

Moving Design Blocks

To reposition a design block: 1. Hover over the block you wish to move. 2. Click the four-directional handle that appears on the right side. 3. Drag the block to the new desired location and release.

Configuration Options and Settings

Each design block comes with its own set of configuration options that allow for customization:

Options Menu

All blocks contain common settings found in the Options tab, which appears when you click on a block. Key options include:

• Block background: Set a color for the background of the block.
• Block border: Adjust border settings (size, style, color).
• Block margin: Control the margin around the block, with options for individual sides.
• Block padding: Modify padding inside the block, similarly adjustable by side.

Block Settings

In addition to the Options tab, each block has specific settings that can be accessed through the gear icon:

• Duplicate: Create an exact copy of the block (not available for Predictive Content).
• Make conditional: Limit visibility of the block based on predefined segments (not available for Predictive Content).
• Hide on mobile devices: Option to hide the block when viewed on mobile.
• Save to content library: Enable saving the block for reuse in future emails (not available for Predictive Content).
• Delete this: Remove the block from your design.

Best Practices and Tips

- Use Text blocks strategically for clarity and important messaging. - Ensure the Button block stands out by using contrasting colors. - Utilize the Spacer block to maintain clean, visually appealing layouts. - Regularly test your emails on multiple devices to ensure responsiveness and readability. - Leverage the Products block to showcase goods effectively, especially for e-commerce campaigns.

Common Use Cases

1. **Newsletters**: Utilize multiple Text blocks and Image blocks to share updates and visuals with your subscribers. 2. **Promotional Campaigns**: Create engaging emails with the Button block for clear calls-to-action leading to sales or special offers. 3. **Automations**: Implement the Abandoned Cart block in recovery emails to drive conversions on abandoned carts. 4. **Personalized Content**: Use Predictive Content blocks to tailor the email experience for different segments.

Troubleshooting

If encountering difficulties while using the Classic Designer:

- Ensure you are using a compatible plan (Starter, Plus, Pro, Enterprise) to access all features. - If blocks are not appearing as expected, refresh the browser or clear the cache. - For issues with image loading, check the image file format and size.

Related Features

- Email Marketing - Automation - Templates - Reporting

FAQ

What types of plans support the Classic Designer?

The Classic Designer is available for Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans.

Can I customize the colors of my design blocks?

Yes, you can customize the background colors and borders of each design block through the Options menu.

How do I add a video to my email using the Classic Designer?

To add a video, simply drag the Video block to your design, and enter the link to your video. A screenshot will be generated automatically.

Can I hide a design block on mobile devices?

Yes, you can select the option to Hide on mobile devices in the block's settings.

What is the purpose of the Products block?

The Products block allows you to display e-commerce products from your Shopify store within your automation emails.

How do I save a block to my content library?

You can select the Save to content library option in the block's settings to reuse it in future campaigns.

Is coding knowledge required to use the Classic Designer?

No, the Classic Designer is designed for users without coding knowledge, utilizing a drag-and-drop interface for ease of use. ```