The email testing checklist
Written by the studio that designs and codes these emails every week — with real examples from client programmes.
Before any send: verify the primary CTA, preheader, alt text, dark mode, mobile stacking, sub-100KB weight, live links, merge-tag fallbacks and the correct segment. The full point-by-point checklist is below.
Run this before anything ships. It's the condensed version of the QA process we run on every client email — each point exists because skipping it has burned someone.
Design & content
- One clear primary CTA, visible without scrolling
- Preheader text written (not defaulting to random body copy)
- All copy proofread in situ, not just in a doc
- Images have descriptive alt text
- Unsubscribe and legal footer present and readable
Code & rendering
- Tested in Outlook (Windows), Gmail (app + web) and Apple Mail minimum
- Dark mode checked — logos, backgrounds and text contrast
- Mobile stacking order verified on a real device
- Total email under ~100KB to avoid Gmail clipping
- All links clicked and UTM-tagged correctly
Platform
- Merge tags previewed with real data, including missing-data fallbacks
- Correct list/segment selected — check twice
- Test send reviewed by a second person
Want this done for you every time? Our service includes full QA on every email.
Your options for email testing checklist, compared.
| Template galleries | Cheap marketplaces | EmailDesign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom design (not a reskin) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hand-coded, tested HTML | ✗ | Rarely | ✓ 60+ clients |
| Outlook & dark mode handled | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Set live in your platform | ✗ | Extra cost | ✓ Included |
| Fixed quote before work starts | n/a | Varies | ✓ Always |
| One accountable studio | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Built for the platform you already use.
Every project is designed for your platform's editor and set live in your account — see Klaviyo email design or Mailchimp templates.
What you receive with the done-for-you version.
Keep reading.
Who is EmailDesign?
A UK email design and development studio. We design custom emails, hand-code the HTML and set everything live in platforms like Klaviyo and Mailchimp — from £95 per email.
Can you do this for us?
Yes — this topic maps directly to our services. Get a fixed quote within one working day.
Ready when you are.
Tell us what you're sending and where — fixed quote within one working day.