Rows
Display
Buttons / CTAs
Export
Images
Text
Dark Mode
HTML
Tests
Other questions
Rows
Can I add a personalized separator? For the moment, this function is not available.
Can I group several rows together? Not for now, but you can put several blocks in the same row, like this:
Can I duplicate a block with a store loop? Yes, you can duplicate any row or block.
Can i save rows to re-use them as templates? The possibility to save rows and use them again in other designs is available. Simply select the row and hit save. Your saved rows will then be available for future designs.
When I create an email template with the Message Builder and then create a copy, I cannot modify the HTML code of this template with the regular HTML editor. Can I modify it only with the Message Builder? Correct.
Are there specific rows to create the email footer? No, all rows can be used anywhere inside the email design.
Can I put a block on top of another one? No, it is not possible. However, you can insert a background image in any row.
What is the best practice when it comes to the number of rows? We recommend that you insert as few rows as possible, which means that if your email is one column then you can use the same row for all of your content. You should only insert different rows if you need different columns such as shown in the example below. The fewer rows you have and the lighter your HTML code will be.
Can I add vertical separators between several columns of a row? There is a workaround to create vertical separators.
In the options of the row, you can set up borders for the columns. Selecting the right narrow border is equivalent to having a vertical separator.
Display
I have the impression that the edition window is very small. How can I have a global view of the email when editing it? We advise using a desktop screen to create your emails, it is easier this way. We also have a "full screen" mode now available.
Can I use this interface on a tablet device? Yes, the Splio platform is responsive. However, you should use the biggest screen available, especially for designs.
Buttons / CTAs
Can I change the shape of the CTA? Yes, with the "border radius option", when you have selected the CTA.
Is the whole CTA clickable? Yes, the whole CTA is clickable, not only the text.
Can I make a full row clickable? No, but you can insert links behind images, CTAs, and in text blocks.
Can I have a CTA for each image? Below the image for the CTA, instead of having one, I would like to have 3. Yes, you need to drag and drop a 3 column row and then insert a CTA within each of the columns under its corresponding image.
Can I have a button in front of an image with a CTA? Can I put the CTAs in the same block as the image? Can I put a background image with text or a CTA on it? Yes, in the rows settings, you can add a background image, and then add any content block (CTA, text, etc.).
In the responsive preview, how can I put buttons below each image? You need to make different rows for mobile and desktop, then play with the differentiated display.
Is it possible to have a CTA "add to calendar"? It is not natively possible from the platform as we don't generate .ics files which are needed for this type of feature but you can follow a few steps and do this on your end. This article may be useful.
Export
Can I export the HTML code and the images for external purposes? For this, you can use the mirror link. You just need to click on it and then right-click on the page to display the code.
Can I export the email in PDF or PNG formats? Not for now. The best is to send yourself a test, then export it in PDF from your email provider.
Images
Which images formats are accepted in the Message Builder? PNG, JPEG, GIF, but not TIFF.
Can I make the background image clickable? For the moment, the background image is not clickable.
Can I access images from the library outside of the Message Builder (for instance, images that have already been added on the HTML editor)? No, this option is currently not available.
Does the Message Builder compress images? If I insert a 100 KB (which is a large volume) image in the library, the Builder compresses or leaves my photo at 100 KB? Yes, the Message Builder compresses images to adapt them to the email.
Can I add background images? Yes, in the settings of each row (not those of the content).
Can I adjust images in a 3-image row (for instance, if I wish to delete spaces)? Yes, you can. By default there are no spaces. If you change the padding settings, you can add spaces either on all sides at the same time or on just one side at a time (advanced settings).
Can I store images on my own FTP and then insert them with the link? This option is not available in the Message Builder, but it is in the HTML editor.
If I have two images in a row, will there be a margin between them? You can set this up with the padding option, which is the last setting in the right panel, when the image is selected.
Do you have any recommendations for the total weight of the images? The total weight of the email should never be more than 100 KB. The lighter the email is, the best the images will be displayed on smartphones, especially if they have a bad connection. If your email is heavier than 100 KB, it will most likely break on Gmail and other email service providers. The images are not counted in the weight of the email, they are stored on a server.
How can I add the name of the product below the image? You should add a text block directly below the image, and use personalization to add the name (product loop), or you can write the name yourselves. Please ensure that you add the text block within the same row to ensure that the mobile display will be correct. If you insert the blocks in a separate row, the Message Builder will consider that the content is not related and will not display them together.
Or on the image? For this, you need to select the image, then go on the right on the effects panel. Here you can add filters, shapes, borders, text, etc.
Can I add effects when recipients hover over the email? No, it is not possible.
Can I add a gif rather than a jpeg? Yes, you just need to insert it as you would do with any other image.
How can I display product images in a loop? You can use an image block or an HTML block to display images from a product loop. Both options will work. The advantage of using an HTML block will be that you will be able to fix the size of your image. Below you can see an example with an image block:
Text
Can I paste charts from a Word document to a text block? This option is currently not available.
Can I load my fonts in Splio? No, only the fonts that respect good email practices are available.
Dark mode
If you want to know how to optimize your email design for Dark Mode users, we have selected for you a few articles on experts websites:
- Dark Mode Design Best Practices from the BEE Design Blog (2022)
- The Ultimate Guide to Dark Mode for Email Marketers from Litmus
- Dark Mode for Email: What it is and How to Cope from Email on Acid
- Dark mode in HTML email from Sidemail
HTML
Can I use rows done by my web designer? Yes, with the HTML block option. However, please bear in mind that the Message Builder will format the code.
How can I change the title tag? You can do it only in the HTML code, and not in the Message Builder.
Tests
Can I use Email On Acid with emails created with the Message Builder? Yes.
After saving the design, can I send a test and then do modifications? Yes, in the same way as with the other methods of creating a design.
Can I have a preview of Android vs. iPhone? Yes, this option in available. Once the design is saved, click on the "tools" button, then on "message client preview".
Other questions
Creating a design with this tool, are the good HTML practices applied? Is deliverability optimal? Yes, the good HTML practices are followed, but to be 100% optimal nothing can replace HTML coded by a specialist.
Does Message Builder offer more technical and design options than the current SPLIO solution? Or is it just more intuitive and immediate? Above all, it is more intuitive, but it also offers new features (mobile display, filters on images, dynamic images).
As for the link to the Youtube video, when I click on the thumbnail am I redirected to Youtube or can I read the video in the newsletter? You are redirected to Youtube, therefore you cannot read the video in the email.
Are the mirror link and the unsubscription link added automatically? No, you have to add them with the "special links" button in text blocks. We remind you that the mirror link is recommended, while the unsubscription is mandatory (in order to meet GDPR and deliverability criteria).
Can I add some hidden text so it appears in the preview of the email, but not in the newsletter itself (for instance, the two lines that can be read under the email subject in the native iPhone email application)? This text is called pre-header. The only way to add a pre-header is by inserting an HTML block and some text in the block (0 or 1 pixel size). You can use the following example code:
<div style="display: none; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">
make the most of this offer today
</div>
<!-- Insert hack after hidden preview text -->
<div style="display: none; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌&
</div>
If my browser shuts down before I save my email, do I lose all my edits? Yes, this is why we advise using a safe connection and saving your design from time to time. Note that you can undo and redo actions if necessary with the "timeline" button at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Are you updating the platform as email providers are being updated? Yes, our editor is updated regularly according to the changes of the ecosystem, apart from some minor evolutions.
Can I include a bar code in my email? You can integrate a barcode generator directly inside the Message Builder. Our barcode is ean13 type and dynamic, meaning a different 13-character barcode will be displayed per customer. If you need more information on this feature, please feel free to contact us: we are here to help you.
Is it possible to use the "link category" in Message Builder? Yes! you can view our dedicated article here.
Can I do email annotations (see example in image below) in my email design? No, this feature is not native in Message Builder and will require some HTML skills. But if you are comfortable with HTML and are able to edit your design this way, you can follow this Google documentation on how to implement this directly in your email HTML. Note that you have the option to insert HTML blocks within Message Builder. This only works for gmail.
Can I use the function "copy to clipboard", for example for a promo-code in my design? No, you cannot do this in Message Builder, this will need to be coded within the HTML, note that you have the option to insert HTML blocks within Message Builder.