Basic Email Testing

Objective: Establish a quick and repeatable process to ensure new email campaigns:

• Launch error-free (no glaring mistakes).
• Display correctly across devices.
• Contain no broken links.

Not an in-depth test: This is a basic check (under 10 minutes) to catch common email campaign issues (99% success rate).

Why it matters: Mistakes in email campaigns are irreversible. The only fix is a follow-up email with corrections, which weakens impact and annoys subscribers (potentially increasing unsubscribe rates).

Where to verify: Your email service provider (ESP), Grammarly, and your inbox (desktop and mobile).

When to verify: Every time before launching a new email campaign (batch or automated) and after finalizing the copy.

Who verifies: The email marketing lead in your organization. (If it’s just you, well, you know the drill!)

Pre-Requisites: Install these essential extensions/plugins:

1. Grammarly (free version works well)
2. Check My Links for Chrome
3. Gmail mobile app (Android or iOS)

Verification Steps:

1. Grammar & Spelling:
   • Option 1: Use Grammarly within your ESP’s editor (look for the icon).
   • Option 2: If Grammarly doesn’t work, copy text to a new Grammarly document (Chrome extension).
   • Action: Review and address Grammarly’s suggestions until error-free (green icon).
2. Desktop Preview:
   • Action: Send a test email to your Gmail address from your ESP.
   • Verification:
     • Subject line displays fully (no truncation).
     • Email preview excludes file names (e.g., logos).
   • Open the email and check:
     • Alignment matches the editor view.
     • Font styles, sizes, and colors match the editor view.
     • Images load correctly with proper dimensions/aspect ratio.
   • Broken Link Check:
     • Tool: Use the “Check My Links” Chrome extension.
     • Success: “Invalid links” indicator shows zero (no broken links).
     • Failure: Broken links highlighted in red (fix in the editor).
     • Final Verification: Manually open each link for correct destination URLs.
3. Mobile Sanity Check:
   • Action: Open the test email in the Gmail mobile app.
   • Verification:
     • Alignment matches the editor view.
     • Font styles, sizes, and colors match the editor view.
     • Text size allows for easy reading on mobile devices.
     • Text blocks don’t exceed mobile screen width.
     • Images load properly, resize to fit the screen, and maintain aspect ratio.
     • Text within images (if applicable) is large enough for readability without zooming.