What is a WYSIWYG editor?
“WYSIWYG” stands for “What You See Is What You Get.” A WYSIWYG editor is a tool that lets you create and edit content in a way that closely resembles the final product or output. Instead of writing or editing raw code or markup, you’re working with a visual interface, much like how you’d work with a word processor like Microsoft Word.
Without a WYSIWYG editor, you’d typically need to write HTML and CSS code to design this email. This means you’d be writing lines of code to specify everything: where the images go, what the text says, what colors to use, etc. If you’re not familiar with coding, this can be complex and time-consuming.
Enter the WYSIWYG editor. Instead of seeing and writing code, you get a user-friendly interface where:
- You can type text directly.
- You can click to insert images.
- You can highlight text and choose a color from a palette.
- You can drag and drop elements (like buttons) to where you want them.
- You can click a button to insert a link.
As you’re doing all this, the editor shows you a visual representation of what the final email will look like. This is incredibly helpful because you can design the email visually without needing to know any code or technical details.
What are the benefits of using a WYSIWYG editor?
There are many benefits of using a WYSIWYG editor when creating email marketing content.
- User-Friendly: A WYSIWYG editor can help you to create more professional-looking content quickly and easily, without requiring any coding knowledge. This can be especially helpful if you are not familiar with HTML or CSS.
- Immediate Visual Feedback: As you design or edit, you immediately see how the final output will look, allowing for real-time adjustments and refinements.
- No Coding Skills Required: This tool is especially beneficial for those without knowledge of HTML, CSS, or other coding languages. Anyone can create well-structured and visually appealing content or designs.
- Speed and Efficiency: Designing and editing with a WYSIWYG editor can be much faster than manually writing and tweaking code, especially for more complex layouts and designs.
- Consistency: Many WYSIWYG editors come with predefined templates or styles, ensuring that content remains consistent in appearance, especially useful for branding.
What are the limitations of using a WYSIWYG editor?
There are a few limitations to using a WYSIWYG editor when it comes to email marketing. One of the main limitations is that you can’t always see how your email will look after it’s actually sent to the recipient. This is because the appearance of the email differs based on different email clients and browsers, so what looks good in your WYSIWYG editor may not look exactly like that when it’s actually sent.
Additionally, a WYSIWYG editor can’t always account for all the different code that may be needed to properly format an email, so you may have to do some additional coding yourself.
How do I use a WYSIWYG editor?
The first way is to use the WYSIWYG editor that is built into your email marketing software. This will allow you to create and edit your content directly in the software.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a WYSIWYG editor for email marketing:
- Select an Email Marketing Platform:
- Platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, SendinBlue, and HubSpot offer WYSIWYG editors integrated into their systems.
- Create a New Campaign:
- Typically, after logging into your chosen platform, you’ll start by creating a new email campaign.
- Choose a Template or Start from Scratch:
- Most platforms provide pre-designed templates that you can select and modify according to your needs.
- Alternatively, you can start with a blank slate and design your email from the ground up.
- Design Your Email:
- Add Elements: Using the WYSIWYG editor, drag and drop various elements like text blocks, images, buttons, spacers, and dividers into your email layout.
- Modify Text: Click on any text block to modify its content. You can change font styles, sizes, and colors using the editor’s toolbar.
- Insert Images: Add images by uploading them directly to the editor. Some platforms even allow image editing within the tool.
- Linking: Insert hyperlinks to direct your readers to your website, a product page, or any other relevant URL.
- Styling: Customize background colors, add borders, adjust padding and margins, and apply any other styling you need.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure your design is responsive. Most platforms will let you preview your email in both desktop and mobile views.
- Advanced Features:
What are the best WYSIWYG editors?
There are a number of WYSIWYG editors available, but the best ones are those that are easy to use and offer a wide range of features. Some of the best WYSIWYG editors include:
- CKEditor: This is a popular WYSIWYG editor that offers a wide range of features, including support for tables, images, and videos. It is easy to use and can be customized to meet your needs.
- TinyMCE: This is another popular WYSIWYG editor that offers a wide range of features. It is easy to use and can be customized to meet your needs.
- Quanta Plus: This is a powerful WYSIWYG editor that offers whole variety of features. It is easy to use and can be customized to meet your needs.
What are the alternatives to WYSIWYG editors?
- HTML/CSS Editors:
- Designing emails directly with HTML and CSS gives the highest level of control. Tools like Sublime Text, Atom, or Visual Studio Code are popular choices.
- Emails designed this way can be more lightweight and optimized, but this approach requires a solid understanding of HTML and CSS, especially since email client rendering can be inconsistent.
- Markdown-to-Email Converters:
- Markdown can be used to write email content, and tools can convert this content to HTML for email sending.
- While this approach might not be suitable for highly graphical emails, it’s efficient for content-heavy emails.
- Email Frameworks:
- These are tools or templates optimized for email design, considering the quirks and inconsistencies of email clients.
- Examples include MJML, Foundation for Emails (by ZURB), and Cerberus. These allow for responsive email design that looks consistent across various email clients.
- Email Design Platforms:
- Tools like Litmus or Bee Pro provide a more structured environment to design emails. They might include a drag-and-drop interface but offer more email-specific features and testing options than standard WYSIWYG editors.