Optimizing Your Marketing Emails for the Dark Side: How to Make Your Emails Look Great in Dark Mode and on Mobile Devices

As a digital marketing specialist at Coinsquare, I had the chance to redesign our transactional and marketing emails to better accommodate dark mode and mobile devices. And let me tell you, it was no easy task. But after many late nights, copious amounts of coffee, and a few existential crises, I emerged victorious (and a little sleep deprived). In this blog post, I'll share some of the key steps I took to optimise our emails for these modern realities. So sit back, grab a cup of your favourite beverage, and join me on this thrilling journey through the world of dark mode and mobile email design.

What is Dark Mode?

First, let's talk about dark mode. Dark mode is a setting on many devices that allows users to view content with a dark background and light text, instead of the traditional light background and dark text. This setting has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it can be easier on the eyes in low light environments and can save battery life on devices with OLED or AMOLED displays.

Colours and text

When designing emails for dark mode, it's important to carefully consider the colours and text that you use. In dark mode, high contrast colours can make your email more legible and visually appealing. For example, using a dark background with light text, or vice versa, can make your email easier to read and look more stylish.

Additionally, the size and legibility of your text is important in dark mode. Small or thin fonts can be harder to read on a dark background, so it's a good idea to use larger, bolder fonts in your emails. This will make your email more readable and help to grab the attention of your readers.

Images

In addition to using high contrast colours and large fonts, another way to optimise your marketing emails for dark mode is to use transparent PNG files instead of JPEGs. PNG files support transparency, which means that you can use them to create elements with transparent backgrounds. This can be especially useful in dark mode, where a transparent background can help your email blend seamlessly with the dark background.

In contrast, JPEG files do not support transparency, which means that any transparent areas will appear as solid blocks of colour in your email. This can make your email look cluttered and unattractive in dark mode. By using transparent PNG files instead, you can create a cleaner, more streamlined look for your email in dark mode.

Another thing to consider is the size of your images. Large images can take up a lot of space on a mobile screen, so make sure to resize them or use smaller images in your emails. This will make your email load faster and be more user-friendly on mobile devices.

Testing

In addition to optimising your marketing emails for dark mode and mobile devices, it's also important to make sure that they look good and function properly on a variety of different devices. This means testing your emails on different platforms, including desktop, iOS, and Android devices.

By testing your emails on multiple devices, you can ensure that they are compatible with the most popular email clients and platforms. This will help to ensure that your emails are delivered successfully and look good for all of your subscribers.

To test your emails on different devices, you can use an email testing tool, such as Litmus or Email on Acid. These tools allow you to preview your email on a variety of different devices, so you can see how it will look and make any necessary adjustments.

That’s all folks

In conclusion, optimising your marketing emails for dark mode and mobile devices is crucial for ensuring that your emails are effective and engaging for all of your subscribers. By using high contrast colours, large fonts, and a responsive design, you can make sure that your emails look great and are easy to read in these situations. Additionally, testing your emails on different devices and using transparent PNG files can further improve their appearance and functionality in dark mode. By following these tips, you can make sure that your emails are successful and make a positive impact on your audience.

If you have any questions about optimizing your marketing emails for dark mode and mobile devices, feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to help you make your emails look great in these situations and improve their effectiveness. I look forward to hearing from you!