Introduction to Template Kit

3 min

Tip

Mailings created with the Template Kit are displayed correctly by the most common email clients and web browsers. Optimizely regularly checks compatibility, but individual email clients may cause display errors.

The generic Template Kit provides a flexible way to create newsletters. You can use it out-of-the box and with your corporate design style guide. Optionally, you can add Mobile Fusion to the Template Kit to optimize mailings for mobile devices.

Transferring design specifications into the Template Kit If your company works with design specifications, use the Template Kit to turn these directly into mailings with no special knowledge of graphic design or composition. Studies show that most design specifications can be mapped using the Template Kit. The layout of structural and content elements follows a logical pattern found in most newsletters. Optimizely uses standard terminology for the individual elements, so you can work with the Template Kit whether you are a graphic designer, editor, or project manager.

Content inherits basic settings When basic preferences (such as text, background colors, spacing, and so on) are set, they are applied to content matter. This provides a consistent layout without needing to set additional preferences for content elements. The principle of hierarchical acquisition guarantees a layout-compliant/CI-compliant newsletter without the need to define each parameter. But If you need a different layout, whether at a structural or a content level, you can design each element.

Separation of structure and content When developing the Template Kit, Optimizely implemented the systematic separation of structural and content elements. This feature provides the highest level of flexibility when designing newsletters.

Configuration paragraphs for organizing your newsletter Configuration paragraphs greatly expand your design options. Each configuration paragraph functions like a section of the newsletter, which you supply with its own layout and content. Header and footer segments are also set up as configuration paragraphs.

Flexible tables of contents The table of contents is the recipient's point-of-entry to your newsletter's content, and greatly impacts conversion rate. The Template Kit provides full control over the table of contents. Each configuration paragraph can have its own table of contents.

Single or two-column grids Optimizely provides multiple column layouts. You can set column width, position and spacing. You can set the configuration paragraphs individually, whether they are part of a single or two column layout. If your mailing needs both layouts, be sure to use them efficiently and rationally. For example:

A two column editorial with a table of contents in a sidebar: Make the most important content visible immediately without having to scroll, and place it in a prominent position next to the editorial, where references can be made to them.

A single column product area: A sidebar is not needed in the product area. Use a single column layout to take maximum advantage of the newsletter's full width.

Fully equipped and seamlessly integrated You can assign each element to a target group. You can also design pre-headers and newsletter headers and footers for specific target groups.

Click profiles The assignment of click profiles is integrated into the elements, so you can obtain valid data about recipient click behavior.

introduction-to-template-kit.mdxSharing content via social networks You control what content is shared (SWYN), and the layout of share buttons and redirection.

Create landing pages You can create landing pages with a single click, edit them in the template editor, and link them to the desired location. Using the SWYN feature, landing pages are created and linked automatically.

Use pre-headers for a personalized approach You can include a greeting, a special offer, or a keyword specifically tailored to a target group.

Integrate your favicon Favicons are small icons, logos or symbols (such as your company logo) of 16×16 or 32×32 pixels. Typically, browsers display them in the address bar, on tabs, next to bookmarks, or in your history. You can integrate a favicon into the online version of your message with Optimizely Campaign.