How modular email design helps you build faster and stay on brand

Using templated blocks speeds up the email creation process significantly. This article will talk in detail about what email modules are, highlight the benefits of modular email design, and share vital tips to get started with email modules. 

Email modules are pre-built email elements, such as headers, footers, and product cards that can be combined to create full emails. 

The idea is that you create blocks that reflect your branding and reuse them when you need a relevant section.

You can reuse the element without making any changes, which is suitable for footers or informational blocks that stay the same in each send. 

Or you can edit the content while keeping the same stylings, which is useful for elements like product blocks which are different in every send.  

Since email modules can be created once and used for countless email campaigns, they are a convenient and economical way to design emails.

Ever wanted to slash how long it takes to create email campaigns? Or maybe you want every email you send to have an optimized design? Those are just 2 of the many benefits you get with modular email design.

1. Time-effective email production

Using modules speeds up the production of emails. Once you create the modules, quickly add them to templates to build out your campaign emails. Just drag the module from your saved blocks into your newsletter draft. 

2. No need for constant email testing 

Testing email content helps you optimize your campaigns and get better results. Modules save time on email testing since each module is tested at its creation stage. 

As a result, marketers have a library of modules that are already optimized and ready to use—no need for continuous testing!

3. Monetary savings on email campaigns

If you hire people to help with your email campaigns, creating email modules can reduce the amount you spend by reducing the amount of time it takes to create emails. Have your help focusing on other parts of your marketing campaigns instead. 

4. Effortless last-minute changes

Since modules are customizable, it’s easy for marketers to make last-minute email changes quickly and easily. 

You can adjust the content if a product in the promotional email is out of stock or the conditions of your offer have changed. You no longer have to create an entirely new design.

5. Easy brand consistency

Modules are an excellent tool for staying consistent across all emails because they are created based on your brand book. All emails created using these modules will include the design code of your brand. 

6. Enable anyone to create professional emails

Anyone on your team can create well-designed emails with modules. You only need the input of your designer during the creation phase. Once they are set up, anyone in your team can use drag & drop email templates to build email campaigns.

Now that you know the benefits of modules, here are the tips that will help you implement modular email design into your email marketing.

1. Define the most used email elements

First, identify frequently used email elements that you will turn into modules. Look at your past email campaigns to see which components you use multiple times and add them to your list. 

Components such as headers, signatures, and footers typically remain consistent across all campaigns, making them prime candidates for module status. 

But it’s wise to craft elements like product cards, blog post blocks, and promotional banners to ensure they are ready when needed.

Making this list will create a full picture of every email element you use for creating newsletters and help you allocate the right resources for transforming them into modules. Quickly editing these blocks is far more efficient than starting from square one each time.

2. Define your brand styles

Using your same brand styles across all your modules ensures you keep a consistent look and feel and helps your emails be instantly recognizable as yours. 

Some elements to consider include:

• Fonts

• Color palette

• Button stylings

• Background colors 

• Borders

• Spacing in-between elements

Define the brand style for each element in your email builder and then use these settings across each module. 

3. Create the modules

Once you’ve identified the sections you need and settled on your styles, start creating the modules. 

Consider building all your modules in a template so you can organize the modules into diverse combinations.

By building in this way, you can arrange your modules in different combinations for various purposes and shuffle content modules according to a certain marketing campaign and email type. 

If your budget allows, consider hiring a designer during the module design process. This will ensure you end up with professional-looking building blocks you can reuse across all your campaigns. 

4. Test if everything is working properly

Don’t forget to test every module you create. Thorough testing ensures that each module works as intended and displays well in different browsers, inboxes, and displays. You can do this using the preview button and by sending test emails to your account.

Once your modules pass the test, save them to add them to your library. As you start using modules in your campaigns, you can also A/B test different designs to see how each version impacts metrics like conversions and clicks. 

5. Reuse modules for future newsletters

With your own library of branded content modules, it’s easy to create newsletters that exude a memorable and distinctive style. 

By reusing these modules across future campaigns, you streamline email campaign production, saving both time and money.

Modules greatly simplify the creation of emails, helping you maintain brand consistency, and save time when updating emails. 

Most importantly, modules will allow marketers without technical knowledge to create beautiful and functional emails on an equal basis with more technically savvy colleagues.