Building a new email (HTML) template in RiTA

Note:  All users can create and edit their own HTML templates but will need advanced list automation access to apply templates in an automation. Account administrators have access to create and edit all HTML templates.

You can set up a new email template by starting with an existing Action Template or creating one from scratch. We recommend duplicating an existing template to save time. 

This guide walks you through the following topics:

• Setting up a new email (HTML) template
• Designing the template
  • Using components
    • Personalising email content
    • Adding columns and padding
    • Adding images
    • Adding buttons
    • Adding the unsubscribe link
• Saving and testing your template
  • Sending a test email

Setting up a new email (HTML) template 

1. Start by duplicating an existing template or creating one from scratch. View this article for details
2. Edit your template settings as required. 
3. In the Template Content section, tick the Email (HTML) checkbox and click Edit Email.
   
   Image 1: Selecting the Email (HTML) option.
4. Enter a subject line for your email and click Preview & Edit Design to start building your email. You can also include Merge Fields in the subject line to personalise it further.
   
   Image 2: Accessing the email builder.

Designing the template

You can design your email template to suit your brand; change the font, edit the colours and use your own images. This guide gives you an overview of the most commonly used components in an email.

Using components

Components are like building blocks of your email content. There are nine different components to choose from. The email builder consists of the main editor panel and a menu of components that you can drag and drop into the editor panel. 

Image 3: Dragging and dropping different components into the editor.

After you have added a component, click into it to customise the content further. 

Image 4: Editing components.

Personalising email content 

Use Merge Fields to personalise your email with the recipient's contact details. After selecting a Merge Field, you have to right click > Paste or click Ctrl + V to include it in the body text.

Image 5: Adding merge fields.

Adding columns and padding

Use columns to create emails that suit the content you want to include. After adding a column component, click on the column style you want to use. Next, enter a number in the padding function to create space between each column. The higher the number, the more space you are allocating between columns. This will give your content more breathing room and help your recepients digest your email content more easily. 

Image 6: Adding columns and padding.

Adding images

To add an image:

1. Drag the image component into the editor panel and click on the image to access the image options. 
   
   Image 7: Adding images to an email.
2. There are multiple ways to add images:
   • Expand the Magic Image panel and click on Generate Images to create an image using AI. 
   • Click on Upload Image or drag and drop an image in the box to upload your own image.
   • Click on the More Images dropdown menu and select Stock Photos to choose an image from our stock photo library.
   • Link to an image by pasting the image URL in the Image URL field.

Tip: Keep image file sizes under 1MB to optimise email load times. The recommended dimensions for an email banner are 800px x 200px.

Adding buttons

Use buttons to include key call-to-actions that you want recipients to pay attention to. You can also change the button colours and font to suit your brand. 

To add a button:

1. Drag the button component into the editor panel.
2. Edit the button text to suit your email.
3. Add a link for the button. 
   
   Image 7: Adding and editing a button.

Adding the unsubscribe link 

By default, every email template will include an unsubscribe link. If you do not see an unsubscribe link in your template, you must include one manually. This is a requirement in line with Australian Spam and Privacy Laws. 

You can do this in two ways by inserting the link as a merge field, or by adding the unsubscribe block to your email. 

To use the merge field option:

1. Go the Merge Field dropdown menu and select Unsubscribe Link. 
2. Paste the merge field in your email. 

Image 8: Adding the unsubscribe link.

To add the unsubscribe block:

1. Click on Blocks
2. Drag and drop the Unsubscribe block into your email. 

Image 9: Adding the unsubscribe block.

Saving and testing your template

You have to save your template three times for the most updated version available as an Action Template and used in an Automation. 

First, click on Save and Close at the top of the email builder. 

Image 10: Saving your design.

Next, click Save again.

Image 11: Saving your email.

Lastly, tick the compliance checkbox and click Save. You will not be able to save your template if you do not tick the compliance checkbox. Learn more about your compliance obligations.

Image 12: Saving your email as an action template.

Sending a test email

It is recommneded to send a test email to ensure you have set up your email correctly. 

To send a test email:

1. Type your email address and press Enter. You can include mutliple email addresses if you need to send the test email to more than one person. 
2. Click Send Test.

Image 13: Sending a test email.