Importing HTML email templates and campaigns into ZipLeads lets you reuse email designs you already have, without rebuilding them from scratch. With the Code Editor, you can paste your HTML code straight into an email template or campaign and preview how it will look. This helps you keep your branding consistent, save time and manage your email marketing in one place. This article explains how to prepare, import, save and test your HTML emails in ZipLeads.
What is importing HTML email templates and campaigns?
Importing HTML email templates and campaigns means bringing existing HTML email code into the ZipLeads Email Builder. Instead of recreating an email from individual design elements, you can use the Code Editor to work directly with its HTML structure and styling.
This is especially useful when you're moving email content from another platform, reusing custom-coded designs or keeping your branding consistent across campaigns.
You can import HTML emails into two areas:
Email Templates: Create reusable email designs you can use as the starting point for future campaigns.
Email Campaigns: Create email messages you can customise and send or schedule for specific recipients.
The Code Editor gives you direct control over the HTML content, so it's a good choice when you already have an email's source code.
Key benefits of importing HTML email templates and campaigns
Importing existing HTML emails can simplify your email marketing and help keep the structure and look of designs you've already created.
Save time: Reuse existing HTML email designs without rebuilding every element by hand.
Keep your brand consistent: Keep your email's intended colours, layouts, images and typography, where email clients support them.
Make email migration simpler: Bring email designs from another platform into ZipLeads using their HTML source code.
Customise HTML directly: Change your email's structure and styling in the Code Editor.
Create reusable templates: Save imported HTML as a template for future email campaigns.
Speed up campaign creation: Use existing HTML content to create campaigns without starting from a blank design.
HTML Code Editor
The Code Editor lets you create and edit email content using HTML, rather than relying only on drag-and-drop elements. Knowing the editing options helps you pick the right approach for your design and avoid rebuilding things you don't need to.
ZipLeads offers several ways to create and customise email content:
Code Editor: Best if you have complete HTML email code and need to edit the email's source directly.
Design Editor: Best if you prefer visual editing with drag-and-drop elements, such as text, images, buttons and layouts.
Code Element: Lets you insert custom HTML or CSS into one part of an email built in the Design Editor.
Plain Text Editor: Best for text-focused emails that don't need a complex visual layout.
For example, if you have a full HTML newsletter from another platform, use the Code Editor. If you only want to add a small custom HTML component to an email you've built visually, try the Code Element instead.
Note: Email clients support HTML and CSS differently. Importing an HTML design doesn't guarantee every element will look the same in every inbox.
For information about adding smaller HTML components to an email, see Code Element in Email Builder.
Email Templates vs. Email Campaigns
Templates and campaigns do different jobs in ZipLeads. Choosing the right one before you import your HTML helps you decide whether the email should be saved as a reusable design or prepared for a particular campaign.
Email Templates
Templates are reusable email layouts that can include your branding, content, formatting and design elements.
Use a template when:
You regularly send emails with similar layouts.
You want to reuse a newsletter or promotional email design.
You need a consistent starting point for future campaigns.
You want to keep branded email layouts.
Email Campaigns
Campaigns are email messages you send or schedule for specific recipients.
Use a campaign when:
You're preparing a one-off marketing announcement.
You want to send a promotional email to selected contacts.
You have an existing HTML email ready for a particular campaign.
You need to set up recipients and delivery settings.
Example: If you have a custom HTML newsletter layout you plan to reuse every month, import it as a template. If you have an HTML email for an upcoming promotion, you can import it straight into a campaign.
For more details, see Email Templates vs Email Campaigns.
How to import HTML email templates
Importing an HTML email as a template saves a reusable design in ZipLeads. Once it's created, you can use the template as the base for future campaigns, so you spend less time recreating layouts you use often.
Follow these steps to import your HTML email template:
Log in to your ZipLeads account.
Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates.
Click + New to start creating an email template.
Choose the option to create a new email template from scratch. If you see a template selection screen, choose the blank template option.
When asked to select an editor, choose Edit with Vibe Editor to work directly with HTML.
Once the Code Editor opens, paste your existing HTML code into the HTML editing area.
Check the email preview to make sure your layout, text, images and styling look the way you want.
Make any changes you need to the HTML code. Check the preview again after making changes.
Click Save Template, or use the available save control, to save your imported email.
Your imported HTML template is now ready to review, test and use when you create future email campaigns.
How to import HTML email campaigns
Importing HTML straight into an email campaign lets you prepare an existing design for a particular audience or event. This is handy when you already have finished HTML content and want to set it up for sending without creating a separate reusable template first.
Follow these steps to import your HTML email campaign:
Log in to your ZipLeads account.
Go to Marketing > Emails > Campaigns.
Click + New to start creating a campaign.
Choose the option to create a blank campaign, rather than starting from a saved template.
When asked to choose an editor, select Code Editor.
Paste your existing HTML content into the Code Editor.
Check the preview to make sure the email looks as expected.
Make any changes you need to your HTML, including text, links, images and styling.
Save the campaign using the available save control.
Preview and test the imported email before moving on to Send or Schedule.
When the campaign is ready, set up the sender details, recipients and delivery settings, then review the campaign before sending.
Note: Importing HTML into a campaign doesn't send the email automatically. You need to complete the campaign's sending or scheduling steps separately.
For detailed delivery instructions, see Getting Started – Launch an Email Campaign.
Previewing and testing imported HTML emails
Previewing an imported HTML email helps you spot layout or formatting problems before your recipients see them. Testing is especially important for custom-coded emails, because different email clients can treat HTML, CSS, images and other elements differently.
Click Preview in the top-right area of the Email Builder.
Switch between Desktop, Tablet and Mobile views to check the layout.
Check the formatting, images, buttons, text alignment and spacing.
Send a test email
Click the three-dot menu next to Preview.
Select Test Email.
Enter the test email details, including:
Sender Email
Sender Name
Receiver Email
Preview Text
Email Subject
Click Send Test Email.
Open the test email in your inbox and check the message.
Troubleshooting imported HTML emails
Imported HTML emails may need some tweaking, because email clients don't handle every HTML or CSS feature the same way. Working out the cause of common display problems helps you fix your design before it reaches your audience.
Images aren't displaying: Make sure your image URLs are correct and publicly accessible. Use HTTPS image URLs.
Email layout looks broken: Check the HTML structure for missing or incorrectly nested tags. Check your CSS works with common email clients.
Fonts or styling look different: Check that your CSS is supported by the receiving email client. Use suitable fallback fonts.
Links or buttons aren't working: Check that each link has the correct destination URL. Use full URLs, including the https:// prefix.
Personalisation fields aren't displaying correctly: Check whether the HTML contains merge tags from your previous email provider. Replace any unsupported platform-specific variables with the matching ZipLeads custom values.
The HTML preview doesn't match the delivered email: Check the email in several inbox providers. Look for unsupported CSS or HTML elements that are being ignored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I import HTML from any email marketing platform?
Yes, as long as you can get suitable HTML source code for the email. Some platform-specific HTML may need changes before it displays correctly in ZipLeads.
Q: Will importing HTML automatically update my email if the original design changes?
No. The manual HTML import doesn't sync automatically. If the original HTML changes, update the matching content in ZipLeads.
Q: Can I use imported HTML emails in automated workflows?
Yes. Saved email templates can be used in supported ZipLeads workflows. Check the relevant workflow email action and test any personalisation before turning the automation on.
Q: Do I need coding experience to import an HTML email?
You don't need to write HTML from scratch if you already have valid source code. That said, some basic HTML and CSS knowledge can help you fix formatting issues or customise the imported design.
Q: Why does my email look different in Gmail and Outlook?
Email clients render emails differently and support different HTML and CSS features. Use email-friendly coding practices and send test emails to the inbox providers your audience uses.
Q: Can I import an entire HTML email using the Code Element?
The Code Element is meant for adding custom HTML or CSS snippets to a Design Editor layout. To import a complete custom-coded email, use the full Code Editor instead.
Q: What should I do if a previously used email contains broken personalisation tags?
Check the imported HTML for merge fields or dynamic variables from the original email platform. Replace them with the matching ZipLeads custom values and test the results before sending.