Use the "General Settings" button in the drag-and-drop editor to access the central design and formatting specifications for your email. These settings apply not just to a single content element, but to the overall appearance of the entire message or to larger sections of the template being used.
General settings are particularly useful when you want your email to have a unified design. Instead of changing colors, font sizes, or spacing for many individual elements separately, you can define central specifications here. This ensures a consistent design and makes future adjustments much easier.
Adjusting the overall email design
In the "Design" section, you define the message's fundamental properties. These include, for example, the body color and the background color. The body color applies to the outer area of the email, while the background color typically affects the actual content area or larger layout sections.
You can also define standard spacing. This includes the spacing above and below paragraphs as well as the general spacing between elements. These values determine how spacious or compact your email appears overall.
Consistent spacing is particularly important for professional mailings. Too little spacing can make the email look cluttered, while too much spacing makes it difficult to grasp the content quickly. Therefore, use these settings deliberately to create a clear and readable structure.
Formatting headings centrally
You can define how headings appear within the general settings. The editor distinguishes between different levels—such as Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, and Heading 4.
You can define specific values for each heading level, including font type, font size, font color, line spacing, font style, and alignment. This allows you to determine how main headings, subheadings, and smaller section titles are displayed in the mailing.
These central specifications ensure that headings look consistent throughout the entire mailing. If you use a heading later in the content, its appearance will be based on these settings.
Editing template sections
Below the general design options, you will find the sections of the template being used. The sections displayed here depend on the system template originally selected. Common examples include the preheader, header, content, and footer sections.
Depending on the template, however, there may also be other areas, such as a left column, a right column, or other custom-defined layout areas. These sections correspond to the major building blocks that make up the template.
Specific display settings can be configured for each section. Depending on the area, these include background color, background image, height, font, font size, font color, line spacing, and alignment, as well as link color and link styles.
Preheader, Header, Content, and Footer
The preheader section typically refers to the top area of an email, often used for brief notes or preview text. The header usually contains the logo, a title graphic, or key introductory elements. The content section is the main area for your actual content. The footer section typically includes legal notices, contact information, unsubscribe links, or other service links.
By editing these sections separately, you can precisely control the visual impact of each part of your email. For instance, the header can have a different background color than the content area, while the footer is designed to be more compact and understated.
Defining Link Colors and Styles
An important part of the general settings concerns links. Link color and style can be adjusted separately for each section. This is useful because links must remain legible against various backgrounds.
For example, a link in a light-colored content area might look different from a link in a darker footer. Ensure that links remain clearly recognizable and stand out sufficiently from the body text.
Background Images and Heights
Some sections also allow you to define a background image or a fixed height. This can be particularly useful for header areas or more elaborate layouts. However, use background images sparingly and check the display carefully, as different email clients handle images in various ways.
Specifying a height affects the available space within the respective section. This can help maintain visual layout stability. However, overly rigid heights can be problematic if content grows longer or wraps differently on mobile devices.
Reloading Settings
The "Reload settings" option allows you to reload the default specifications. This is helpful if you want to re-apply changes from the template or previous configurations. Use this function with caution, as it may overwrite or reset values you have already customized.
When should general settings be used?
The general settings are useful whenever you want to modify the basic design of the entire email or large sections of the template. You can make specific text corrections or minor content changes directly within the individual elements. However, if you are dealing with global design aspects - such as consistent headings, colors, spacing, or section layouts - this is the right place to start.
Summary
The general settings control the fundamental appearance of your email within the drag-and-drop editor. Here, you define key elements such as colors, spacing, heading styles, and section settings. The available sections depend on the system template you have selected; depending on the template, this may include areas such as left or right columns in addition to the preheader, header, content, and footer. Use these settings to create an email that is consistent, easy to read, and aligned with your corporate design.
