Is Dark Mode Killing Your Emails? Here's How to Fix It

Is Dark Mode Killing Your Emails? Here's How to Fix It

Have you ever sent out a beautifully designed email, only to find out later that it looks completely different on your subscriber’s devices? Dark mode could be the culprit. As much as dark mode is easier on the eyes and undeniably stylish, it presents unique challenges for us as email marketers. With more people using dark mode on their devices, ensuring your emails look great in both light and dark modes is now essential. Here’s how to prevent dark mode from sabotaging your email designs and conversions.

The Dark Mode Challenge

Why Dark Mode Matters

Dark mode changes the game for email design. The sleek, darker background can distort colours, images, and text, leading to emails that look awkward or even unreadable. As an email marketer, it's crucial to adapt your designs to look sharp and professional, no matter the display setting.

Strategies to Improve Email Design in Dark Mode

1. Use Transparent PNGs for Images

Opaque images with white backgrounds can look out of place in dark mode. Transparent PNGs, on the other hand, blend seamlessly into dark backgrounds, maintaining a clean and professional appearance. This small tweak can significantly improve the visual appeal of your emails.

2. Stick to Web-Safe Fonts

Not all fonts are created equal, especially in dark mode. Custom fonts can render poorly, making your text hard to read. Opt for web-safe fonts to ensure consistency and readability across all devices and modes. Fonts like Arial, Verdana, and Georgia are reliable choices that look great in both light and dark settings.

3. Keep Text as Text

Using images to display text might seem like a creative idea, but it can backfire in dark mode. Standard text objects adapt better to different display settings, reducing potential issues. Keeping your text as text ensures it remains crisp and readable, regardless of the background colour.

4. Use Off-White/Off-Black Colours

Pure white (#FFFFFF) and pure black (#000000) can cause automatic colour inversions in some email clients. To avoid this, use slightly off-white (#FFFFFE) or off-black (#00000F) colours. These subtle adjustments can make a big difference, preventing unexpected colour changes and keeping your emails looking great.

5. TEST!

Testing is the most critical step in ensuring your emails look perfect in dark mode. Most email service providers offer options to preview emails in dark mode settings. Regularly testing your designs on various devices and email clients will help you catch any issues before your subscribers do.

The Importance of Comprehensive Testing

While you might be able to test a few devices and email clients yourself, remember that your subscribers could be viewing your emails in hundreds of different ways. That’s why thorough testing is essential. To make this easier, I’ve recorded a short video showing a neat, inexpensive trick to test your emails before you send them.

Believe it or not, errors like these can cost you serious conversions. Don’t let dark mode sabotage your hard work. Check out the video below to learn how to ensure your emails always look their best.

[LEARN THE COST OF A BROKEN EMAIL]

Feel free to reach out to us at Flowstate to learn more.