Email design best practices for 2025

Emails are still one of the best ways to connect with your audience. But times change fast, and so do design trends. If you want your emails to shine in 2025, you’ll need to tweak a few things. Don’t worry—it’s not rocket science! Let’s break it down into simple tips that anyone can follow.

1. Keep it clean & simple

Cluttered emails are a thing of the past. These days, less is more.

  • Use lots of white space
  • Stick to 1 or 2 fonts only
  • Keep text short and snappy

Your readers should understand your email at a glance. Not five scrolls later.

2. Make it mobile-first

Over 70% of people read emails on their phones. So your layout must look perfect on tiny screens.

Here’s how:

  • Use a single-column layout
  • Keep buttons big and finger-friendly
  • Don’t use tiny fonts—14px minimum!

Test your email on both phones and tablets before clicking “Send.”

3. Add some personality

Your emails don’t have to sound like a robot. People love brands with personality!

Try these ideas:

  • Use emojis (✨ but don’t go overboard)
  • Write like you’re talking to a friend
  • Tell a short story

The goal is to be human, fun, and relatable.

4. Don’t forget visual appeal

Pictures grab attention fast. They say a lot in just one glance.

Use high-quality images, graphics, or illustrations. Make sure they match your brand style. And don’t forget—alt text is your best friend for accessibility!

Email Marketing

PRO TIP: Animated GIFs can make your email stand out. Just keep them short and light so they load quickly.

5. Use color wisely

Colors aren’t just pretty—they guide your reader’s eyes. Use contrast to highlight the most important parts, like buttons or headlines.

Here’s a winning combo:

  • 1 primary color (your brand color)
  • 1 accent color (for buttons and CTAs)
  • Lots of white space for breathing room

6. Make CTAs pop!

Your “Call To Action” (CTA) is the star of the show. Whether it’s “Buy Now” or “Read More,” it should be easy to spot.

Checklist for a perfect CTA:

  • Big and bold
  • Plenty of space around it
  • Use action words like Get, Discover, Start

Try using a different background color to really make it pop!

7. Go dark mode-friendly

Lots of readers now use dark mode. If your email isn’t designed for it, things might look weird.

Here’s how to fix that:

  • Use transparent PNGs
  • Avoid pure white or pure black
  • Test your designs in both light and dark modes

It’s a little extra effort, but your readers will thank you!

8. Interactivity is key

In 2025, passive emails are boring. Spice things up with interactive elements!

Try adding:

  • Clickable photo carousels
  • Mini polls
  • Hover effects

Just be sure your email platform supports these features.

Interactive

9. Accessibility = love

Design with everyone in mind. That means creating emails people with disabilities can enjoy too.

Here’s what helps:

  • Good color contrast
  • Descriptive alt text for images
  • Use headings for easy reading
  • Readable font sizes (no tiny text!)

Inclusive design = better design.

10. Keep testing and improving

No email is perfect the first time. That’s why testing is your superpower.

  • Send test emails to yourself
  • Try A/B testing subject lines, images, or CTAs
  • Check how it looks on different devices and clients

The more you test, the better your emails will be.

Final thoughts

Email design in 2025 is all about being clear, fun, and personal. Keep it fresh. Keep it human. And always, always respect your reader’s time and attention.

Now go create some awesome emails!

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Published on August 5, 2025 by Ethan Martinez. Filed under: .

I'm Ethan Martinez, a tech writer focused on cloud computing and SaaS solutions. I provide insights into the latest cloud technologies and services to keep readers informed.