HTML Email Styling: Inline CSS or External Stylesheet – Which is More Reliable?

Web Readability: External Style Sheets in HTML Mail

When crafting HTML emails, a question arises: Can we link to external style sheets or must the CSS be embedded within the email? Additionally, which approach is more efficient?

External vs. Embedded CSS

Forget efficiency or elegance in HTML email. These clients are notoriously limited due to security concerns and general flakiness.

External style sheets have a slim chance of working, as do HTML-embedded style sheets. However, the most reliable option is inline styling, where styles are applied directly to each element using the "style" attribute. Even then, expect inconsistencies among users.

The Plight of HTML Email

HTML email is a frustrating experience for both recipients and senders. Style issues are common, and basic HTML rendering may fail, resulting in a jumbled display.

A Healthier Alternative

The most practical solution is to abandon HTML email and send plain text messages with links to web pages. This approach allows for unrestricted use of CSS, JavaScript, and other web technologies, providing a much more reliable and enjoyable reading experience.

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