Template FAQs
What is the “Templates” page for?
How do I find the “Templates” page?
How can I narrow down the number of templates for what I am looking for?
What are the different ways to view the templates?
How can I browse the ConnectedView predesigned templates only?
Can I view only the templates that I created?
Can I sort the templates?
Can I change the name of a template?
Can I add tags or keywords to my templates so that I can find them?
Can I delete a template?
Why don’t I see the trashcan icon to delete a template?
Can I create my own templates using ConnectedView?
How do I edit a predesigned template to make it my own?
I have created a template outside of ConnectedView; how can I import it into ConnectedView?
Can I build my own templates without knowing HTML?
Can I create my own template using HTML?
What are the main features of the HTML editor?
What Editing and formatting choices are available with HTML editor?
Can I insert an image in my HTML template?
Can I include multi-media (audio, video) files as part of my template?
How can I insert hyperlinks in my template?
Can I insert a button in my template?
Can I edit a button that is in my template?
I have a hyperlink in my template that I’d like to make a button for – can I convert it?
Can I change the color theme of my template?
What types of social media icons can I insert into my templates?
How can I insert social media icons into a template?
Can I put pre-defined links, such as unsubscribe or view in browser in the template?
What is a template header?
Can I insert a header in my template?
What is a template footer?
Can I use a different footer in my template?
Can I change the layout of my template by adding, deleting or moving sections?
How do I preview my template?
Why can’t I see the rotating image in my email?
Q. What is the “Templates” page for?
A. The templates page is where you may create, select or edit a template to be used in a campaign. You can search and preview hundreds of different predesigned templates. Templates can be modified to your liking with the template editor. If you are proficient in HTML programming, you can use the ConnectedView HTML editor. You can also import your own template designs if you would like.
Q. How do I find the “Templates” page?
A. Once you are logged into ConnectedView and have entered the “Email and Social Marketing” page, you will automatically be directed to the “Overview” page. At the top right of the page there are menu items in a white font that say “Overview”, “Recipient Lists”, “Templates”, “Campaigns”, “Auto Responder”, and “Website Impact”. “Templates” is the third menu item from the left. Click on the word “Templates” and you will be taken to the “Templates” page.
Q. How can I narrow down the number of templates for what I am looking for?
A. You can narrow down the list of templates by typing keywords into the search bar that you are interested in, such as “retail” or “newsletter“. ConnectedView will automatically search through all of the templates, looking for key words in the name of the template, text of the template or tags associated with each template. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. What are the different ways to view the templates?
A. There are three ways to view the templates. You can preview the entire template from any of these views.
- Gallery mode – this view will show you small images of 10 templates at a time. You can scroll through the page numbers on the bottom left of the grid to see more.
- Grid mode – this view will show you small images of 10 templates at a time, in addition to the tags for each template. You can scroll through the page numbers on the bottom left of the grid to see more.
- Slideshow mode – this view will show you larger images of the templates one at a time. You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard or click on the < or > images next to each template to view more templates.
Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. How can I browse the ConnectedView predesigned templates only?
A. You can use the drop down named “Type” on the Template Library screen to view all templates; templates created only by you or predesigned templates in the ConnectedView library.
Q. Can I view only the templates that I created?
A. You can use the drop down named “Type” on the Template Library screen to view all templates; templates created only by you or predesigned templates in the ConnectedView library.
Q. Can I sort the templates?
A. Yes, you can sort the templates from Oldest to Newest, Newest to Oldest or alphabetically by using the Order By drop down on the Template library screen.
Q. Can I change the name of a template?
A. You can change the name of your templates, but you cannot change the name of a predesigned template. If you would like to use a predesigned template, you can edit it and save it with a new name. You will then be able to change the template name if you’d like. To change the name of a template, put your mouse over the desired template when viewing the template library in either the gallery or grid mode. You will see a small edit icon appear under or beside the template, depending on which mode you are viewing. Click on the icon to edit the name or tags for the template.
Q. Can I add tags or keywords to my templates so that I can find them?
A. Yes, you can add as many tags as you would like to any of your templates. To add or edit the tags, put your mouse over the desired template when viewing the template library in either the gallery or grid mode. You will see a small edit icon appear under or beside the template, depending on which mode you are viewing. Click on the icon to edit the name or tags for the template.
Q. Can I delete a template?
A. You can delete any of your templates that have not been previously used in a campaign. You cannot delete any of the predesigned templates. To delete a template, put your mouse over the desired template when viewing the template library in either the gallery or grid mode. You will see a small trashcan icon appear under or beside the template, depending on which mode you are viewing. Click on the icon to delete the template.
Q. Why don’t I see the trashcan icon to delete a template?
A. The delete icon will not appear on a predesigned template or a template of yours that you have previously used in a campaign.
Q. Can I create my own templates using ConnectedView?
A. ConnectedView offers you hundreds of predesigned templates. You can use them as-is or make modifications based on your specific needs. ConnectedView also has an advanced template builder that does not require any knowledge of html. If you have existing templates, they can be imported into ConnectedView. Finally, if you are comfortable with html coding, you can code your own templates from within the software. Please visit the Videos section of our website at http://support.connectedview.com to view tutorials on how to create and manage your templates in ConnectedView.
Q. How do I edit a predesigned template to make it my own?
A. Select a predesigned template from the template library. The software will automatically open this template in the editor mode. From there, you can make any of the necessary changes and save the template with a new name. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. I have created a template outside of ConnectedView; how can I import it into ConnectedView?
A. There are two ways that you can import a template into ConnectedView:
1. You can compress all of your files into one .ZIP file format. This file may contain multiple HTML files and all of the associated image files. The software will import each HTML file as a unique template.
Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
2. If you are proficient with HTML, you can copy and paste the HTML source code directly into the ConnectedView template editor.
Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. Can I build my own templates without knowing HTML?
A. Yes – ConnectedView gives you a very powerful, yet easy to use drag and drop “Template Builder”. By using the template builder, you can design professional templates simply by creating sections using various building blocks of text, images, hyperlinks etc. Select the “New Template” drop down from the Template Library screen and choose the option “From Template Builder”. If you already have a template that you are working with, click on the “LAYOUT” tab on top of the HTML editor. Click on the links below to watch short tutorials:
Q. Can I create my own template using HTML?
A. Yes – the HTML editor gives you full access to an HTML CODE EDITOR. If you are proficient in HTML and comfortable working with style sheets, you can create a template from scratch or you can copy & paste HTML from a template created outside ConnectedView. You can also import a template as a ZIP file and then make any necessary edits in the HTML editor. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. What are the main features of the HTML editor?
A. The HTML editor is a powerful tool for beginners, with little or no experience with graphic design or HTML, to advanced users who are proficient with graphic design and/or HTML concepts. Some of the high level features are as follows:
- Editing: Microsoft Word-like Editing and Formatting options
- Images: Ability to insert images from a file or a URL and many Image formatting options
- Multi-Media: Ability to insert media files and support for various formats
- Hyperlinks: Ability to manage hyperlinks to different web pages
- Buttons: Ability to insert hyperlinks with Buttons and various formatting options
- Color Palettes: Ability to change the color theme of your templates
- Social Media: Insert “smart” social media icons anywhere on your template
- Manage Subscription Links: Ability to easily insert useful links such as unsubscribe, manage subscription, view campaign archives, or view in browser
- Headers & Footers: Ability to insert custom headers & footers to your template
- HTML code Editor: Ability to edit the template using HTML code
- Layout Manager: Ability to add or remove blocks of text and/or images to the existing template
- Preview Manager: Preview your work as you continue to make changes to the template.
Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. What Editing and formatting choices are available with HTML editor?
A. ConnectedView HTML editor has all of the features that you would expect from a word processing software such as Microsoft Word. The features include various formatting options, copy and paste, spell check, bullet/number lists, indentations, tables, etc.
Q. Can I insert an image in my HTML template?
A. There are number of easy ways that you can do this:
- Upload an image that is stored on your computer
- Insert an image from a URL on a website
In addition, you can manage various properties (height, width, border color etc.) of the image once it is added to the template. Click on the links below to watch short tutorials:
Q. Can I include multi-media (audio, video) files as part of my template?
A. Yes, the HTML editor allows you to insert multi-media files. Various file formats supported are *.wma, *.wmv, *.avi, *.wav, *.mpeg, *.mpg, *.mpe, *.mp3, *.m3u, *.mid, *.midi, *.snd, *.mkv. Please be aware that not all browsers will support these files in your templates. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
(Video Tutorial Coming Soon #89)
Q. How can I insert hyperlinks in my template?
A. You can insert a hyperlink on text or on an image by clicking on the hyperlink icon on the tool bar of the HTML editor. A hyperlink can be a URL or an email address. Once you specify the URL/email link, you can specify more properties such as Text for the hyperlink, tool tips, where the link should open, etc. Click on the links below to watch short tutorials:
Q. Can I insert a button in my template?
A. Yes, you can insert a button that contains your own text, colors and design along with the URL that the button should point to. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. Can I edit a button that is in my template?
A. Yes, if you right-click on the button image in the template and select “Insert Button”. A popup will appear with the current button information. You can make the necessary changes, and hit Preview or Insert Button when you are ready. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
(Video Tutorial Coming Soon #87)
Q. I have a hyperlink in my template that I’d like to make a button for – can I convert it?
A. Yes, if you have a hyperlink behind text in your template, you can right-click on the hyperlink and select “Insert Button”. A popup will appear with the current text and URL. You can make the necessary changes, and hit Preview or Insert Button when you are ready. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
(Video Tutorial Coming Soon #88)
Q. Can I change the color theme of my template?
A. You can change the color theme of your template by clicking on the “Color Palettes” tab on the tool bar of HTML editor. The color palette manager allows you to pick predefined color themes for the background, header and footer colors. You can also choose the Remix option to keep the colors, but to rotate them among the background, header & footer. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. What types of social media icons can I insert into my templates?
A. There are two types of social media icons that you can insert in your template from the template editor:
- Icons that will direct your audience to your social media sites
- Icons that allow your audience to share your campaign on their social media sites
Q. How can I insert social media icons into a template?
A. The HTML editor automatically pulls all of the social media links from the Account Settings section of your ConnectedView profile to use for the icons to share the campaign on your social media sites. This allows you to set up all of your social media information only once. You can insert your social media links anywhere in the template by clicking on the “social media” tab on the tool bar of the HTML editor and selecting the first choice – Insert Social Icon.
To insert icons to allow your audience members to share your campaign on their social media sites, you can click on the “social media” tab on the tool bar of the HTML editor and then select the second choice – Share on Social Media Buttons.
Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
(Video Tutorial Coming Soon #29)
Q. Can I put pre-defined links, such as unsubscribe or view in browser in the template?
A. You can insert links into your templates that don’t require you to put in a URL. Examples of these links are unsubscribe, manage subscription, view campaign archives, & view in browser. These links are automatically available to you from the HTML editor without you having to know the URL of these pages.
What is a template header?
The header in a template is used to offer your recipients a short description of the email, as well as an option to view the email online. If your recipient is receiving your email on their mobile device, it will offer them a quick into to the email before they open it.
Can I insert a header in my template?
Yes, you can insert a header into your template by clicking on the Insert Header dropdown in the Template Editor. You can then customize the header to say whatever you would like.
What is a template footer?
The footer is necessary for compliance reasons. Per the CAN-SPAM Act, you are required to include your valid physical postal address and a way for the recipient to unsubscribe from your list in every email sent. To learn more about the CAN-SPAM Act you can click here.
Q. Can I use a different footer in my template?
A. The software will automatically insert the default footer into the template for you. You can change the information in them directly in the HTML editor. Or, if you have setup custom footers under the Account Settings section, those will be available for you in the HTML editor in the Insert Footer dropdown box. Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial on setting up custom footers:
Q. Can I change the layout of my template by adding, deleting or moving sections?
A. You can use the Layout mode in the template editor to change the structure of any template. The Layout mode is accessed by clicking on the Layout button at the top of the HTML editor. Once in this mode, each block or section of the template will be identified. When you place your mouse over a section, you will see options to:
- Remove the block
- Copy the block above the block selected
- Copy the block below the block selected
- Add a different block style above the block selected
- Add a different block style below the block selected
Click on the link below to watch a short tutorial:
Q. How do I preview my template?
A. You can preview a template by moving your mouse over any template in the Template Library section of the software. If you are editing a template, then there are two methods of previewing:
- If you have made changes to the template and want to PREVIEW your work WITHOUT saving your changes, click on the PREVIEW tab on top of the HTML Editor.
- If you want to Preview the template with Saved changes, click on the PREVIEW button on the right above the SAVE button.
Q. Why can’t I see the rotating image in my email?
A. It is probably because of the email client you are using to view the email in. The rotating image is a animated GIF file and support for animated GIFS is universal except for Outlook 2007 and 2010.