Be aware that Outlook HTML with SFMC email development, no-code and low-code options may leave you with some issues to address. That includes a lack of semantic HTML, code bloat, and rendering problems in some clients because of things like additional
s. So, even if you’re not a developer, it’s still wise to click over to code view and make some adjustments.
“If you’re going to be doing this, I highly encourage you to learn the very most basic things about HTML.”
Rodrigo Santander, Artech Solutions Architect
When you start working in SFMC, you can choose to use an existing template or a simple email message. A Salesforce email message Employment Agencies Email List gives you the foundation of an HTML email including DOCTYPE declaration, some schemas, and specific CSS that Salesforce Marketing Cloud uses.
However, there are some things you should do with an SFMC email that the platform hasn’t done for you. That includes future-proofing the DOCTYPE by switching from transitional HTML (the default) to HTML5. You’ll then need to set your Lang=” ” attribute, and you should add XML schemas for vector image (VML) support in Outlook. Rodrigo also added some conditional code for MSO that allows for zooming on images in Outlook.
Controlling SFMC email access and permissions
Finally, Rodrigo suggests a small customization that helps others using your email know where they are able to add their own code. He uses what are known as slots in SFMC. Slots let you control and restrict the way content blocks are used.
Here’s the code:
Aisha tells us that setting SFMC permissions and restrictions can be very useful in enterprise organizations Aero leads with larger teams. That also goes for agencies that may want to manage a client’s abilities to make changes. Even she and Rodrigo approach SFMC email development differently, and email production may get messy and confusing if you don’t standardize your processes.
“The cool but also dangerous thing about Salesforce Marketing Cloud is that you can make solutions in 50 different ways.”
Aisha Marie Zolani, SFMC Product Owner, City National Bank of Florida
