The following is a checklist of HTML emails’ best practices:

1. All images display properly and use absolute paths.

2. Any non-white background color applied to the HTML page is applied as a background color to a table. This is to prevent the stripping of background color which could leave a light colored text (for disclaimers and boilerplate) on a white background causing readability problems.

3. Email contains correct property boilerplate.

4. All links are active and land at the correct destination.

5. Hyperlinked text is readable on the chosen background color.

6. No CSS (including inline CSS) is used in emails to format text or position graphics.

7. No JavaScript is used in emails (which mean no image mapping, pop-up windows, or rollover buttons).

8. Static email is not comprised of one large image but rather is sliced to ensure better deliverability.

9. Alt tags are used for all images containing copy.

10. Email campaign provides links at the very top of the HTML page which ensures recipients have access to the marketing message via a web browser in case the images are blocked in their email client for any number of reason
    ie - “Having problems viewing the message below? View an alternate version here.”

11. All logos contained in the disclaimer/boilerplate area are linked to its corresponding web site.

12. All emails include a text-only version for those recipients who are unable or do not wish to receive HTML emails.