Plain Text or Designed Emails? Here's the Truth

Marketers arguing over which is better, sleek designs or raw plain text.

Well, you need both. But you need to learn when to use each one..

Plain Text Emails - The Conversion Machine

✅ Pros:

• Land in inboxes more reliably (deliverability advantage)

• Feel like personal messages, not marketing blasts

• Quick to scan and act on

• Perfect for direct, action-driven campaigns

❌ Cons:

• Zero visual branding

• Can look unprofessional if written poorly

• Miss opportunities for visual storytelling

When I use them:

• Pre-purchase email flows last follow-ups

• Most of the Post-purcahse flows

• Last-chance discount reminders

• Founder messages and announcements

• VIP early access offers

Designed Emails - The Brand Experience

✅ Pros:

• Showcase your visual identity consistently (Top of mind effect)

• Great for product education and storytelling

• Create emotional connection through visuals

❌ Cons:

• Higher chance of promotions tab placement (low open rates but where they belong)

• Can hurt deliverability if overdone or not set properly

• Can feel too salsy if not positioned right

When I use them:

• Most first steps of Pre-purchase email flows

• Product launches and highlights

• Educational content and tutorials

• Offers that can be visualy appealing

• Major brand announcements

The mistake? Using the same format for everything.

If every email looks like a glossy promo, it feels like a banner ad.
If every email is plain text, you miss the chance to showcase your brand.

Mix it up. Send with strategy.
Plain text closes.
Design builds.

Conclusion:

Plain text and designed emails aren’t rivals, they’re teammates. Design draws people in, tells your story, and builds brand trust. Plain text? It cuts through the noise and drives action.

One captures attention, the other feels like a direct message. When used together, at the right moments, they create a rhythm that builds loyalty and gets clicks. That’s how you turn casual subscribers into repeat buyers.

Usefull Resources of The Day:

• Deliverability A-Z

• Segmentation A-Z

• 100+ Editable Email Designs

Case Study of The Day:

• How Fixing Email Deliverability Added $70K in 45 Days

Usefull Videos of The Day:

• Recreate Visuals With ChatGPT And Optimize it For Your Email Hero

• How to A/B Test Your Email Campaigns (Full Walkthrough)

• How I Cut $1000 Off My Client's Klaviyo Bill By Cleaning His List Properly!

Reply to this email if you have any questions or have any idea for future content you want to see.

Keep it Halal,

Amine

P.S. Running an e-commerce store and want to find your hidden email revenue opportunities? Book a free email audit + campaign here »