Create an Email Template

Introduction

This article explains how to create an email template in BetterMerge. You’ll learn how to compose your email, use merge tags for personalization, and format it using the Rich-Text editor.

How to Create an Email Template

Follow these steps to create an email template in BetterMerge.

Step 1: Go to My Templates

Log in to your BetterMerge dashboard and click on My Templates.

Step 2: Create a New Template

Click on the New Template button to create a new email template.

This opens the Template Editor page, where you can fill in the following fields:

• Template name (optional)
• Subject line (required)
• Pre-header text (optional)
• Email body (required)
• Attachments (optional)

Step 3 (Optional): Connect Your Google Sheet

You can connect your Google Sheet contact list. Once connected, a Merge Tags dropdown button will appear in the subject line input field and the email body editor toolbar. This makes inserting merge tags easier and reduces the chance of errors when manually typing the merge tags (e.g., {{First Name}}).

Step 4: Enter the Subject and Body of Your Email

Enter your subject line and email body. Both fields are required.

Step 5: Insert Merge Tags into the Subject Line

To personalize your subject line, insert merge tags in one of two ways:

• Manually, using the format {{ Column Name }}
• Using the Merge Tags dropdown (if you’ve connected your Google Sheet)

Step 6: Insert Merge Tags into the Email Body

You can also use merge tags in the email body the same way as in the subject line.

Step 7: Validate the Merge Tags

If you’ve connected a Google Sheet, you can validate the merge tags in your subject, preview text, and email body. This checks for discrepancies between the merge tags and the exact column names in the selected sheet.

Click the Validate Merge Tags button to review any issues and fix them before sending your campaign.

This check in the editor is a convenience. BetterMerge runs the same check again when you start or schedule a campaign, using that campaign’s saved template and selected sheet. If a merge tag has no matching column, the campaign stays a draft and nothing is sent.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Names must match exactly, including capital letters and spaces.
• Empty cells are fine. Only the column itself has to exist.
• Avoid periods in your column names. A tag like {{Sr. No.}} is not flagged as an error when a column of that name exists, but it still sends as blank text.

Step 8: Save Your Template

Finally, scroll to the top and click Save Template. Always save your template after making changes—auto-save is coming soon!

Once saved, your email template is ready to be used in a campaign.

Best Practices for Email Templates

• Keep subject lines clear and engaging.
• Use merge tags wisely—overusing them can make emails look unnatural.
• Preview and test your template before sending.
• Avoid spam-triggering words for better deliverability.
• Keep your design simple for readability across all devices.
• If a campaign is already in progress, avoid editing the template unless you want some recipients to get a different version of the email.

Conclusion

Creating an email template in BetterMerge is simple and essential for sending campaigns. By using merge tags, formatting options, and validation tools, you can ensure your emails are personalized and error-free. Now that your template is ready, you can move on to setting up your email campaign.