Why Keeping Your Email Size Moderate is a Smart Move

It’s easy to get carried away with images, GIFs, and other exciting content, but did you know that an overly large email can impact deliverability, loading speed, and even the way subscribers interact with your message?

In this article, we’ll walk you through the importance of a moderate email size, explain the benefits, and provide some tips to help you stay within the optimal range.

While adding extra elements like high-res images, animations, or lengthy content can be tempting, smaller emails load faster and are more engaging on all devices, especially mobile.

1. Faster Loading Times

Subscribers are often on the go and using mobile devices to read emails. Large emails with lots of images or data can load slowly on mobile networks or slow internet connections. A faster-loading email means subscribers can see your message quickly and without frustration.

2. Improved Deliverability

Emails with heavy file sizes can be flagged by spam filters and may not even reach your subscribers. Many email providers clip large emails, only showing a preview and leaving the rest behind a “view entire message” link, which most users won’t click. By keeping your email size reasonable, you avoid these pitfalls and increase the chance that your full message is delivered and read.

3. Better User Experience

Large emails can be overwhelming, visually cluttered, and harder to read. By focusing on a moderate email size, you’re simplifying your message, making it easier for readers to absorb the key points. A well-designed, lighter email is also more likely to get the response you’re hoping for—whether that’s a click, a reply, or even a purchase.

4. Compatibility Across Devices

With so many different devices and email clients out there, you want your emails to look good everywhere. Large or complex emails might display well on some devices but not on others. A moderate-sized email is more likely to keep its structure, layout, and readability intact on all devices, ensuring a smooth experience for every subscriber.

5. Reduced Data Use for Subscribers

Some users have limited data plans or slower connections, especially when viewing on mobile. A smaller email respects their resources by using less data and loading faster, making it more considerate of their experience and more likely to keep them subscribed and engaged.

Now that we know why moderate email size is essential, here are some practical tips to help you achieve it:

1. Optimize Images

• Resize Images: Use an image editor to resize large images to the exact size you need. This prevents unnecessary data from slowing down your email.
  
• Compress Images: Compress images using tools like TinyPNG or JPEG-Optimizer to reduce their file size without losing quality.
  
• Limit Image Use: A few well-placed images can be just as effective as many. Use images strategically rather than including too many visuals.
  

2. Reduce GIF Size or Usage

• Use only one or two GIFs, if any, and ensure they’re optimized.
• Consider replacing GIFs with static images or short videos hosted externally.
  

3. Use Text Wisely 

• Be concise: Focus on your main message and avoid lengthy paragraphs.
• Use bullet points: Breaking up information into bullet points or short sections makes the content easy to skim.
  
• Consider linking: Instead of adding long explanations, link out to a webpage or blog post where readers can learn more.
  

4. Minimize CSS and Code Overhead

• Use in-line CSS and only the necessary styles.
• Avoid unnecessary code by cleaning up your email’s HTML to keep it as simple as possible.
• Avoid overly complex designs or embedding code for extra functionalities (like forms or custom animations).

5. Be Mindful of Attachments

• Link to files hosted on your website or a cloud service. This gives recipients the option to download the file only if they’re interested.
• Reserve attachments for necessary content that truly benefits the reader.

Send a test email to yourself and open it on both desktop and mobile devices. This lets you experience the email from your subscribers’ perspective and make sure everything looks and functions as expected.

Keeping your email size moderate may seem like a small detail, but it has a big impact on deliverability, readability, and engagement. By keeping things simple and streamlined, you create a better experience for your readers and increase the chances they’ll read and respond to your message.