What is Email Testing Online?
Email testing is done to check that all the emails are delivered correctly. It appears correctly on all devices such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, desktops, etc. It is known as email testing online when several online tools are used to check these emails from going to spam folders. It helps marketers, businesses etc to verify their email before sending to their customers.
Why is Email Testing Important?
✅ It improves email deliverability.
✅ Prevents emails from landing in the spam folder.
✅ It ensures the proper email formatting across devices.
✅ Helps test email templates for mobile and desktop views.
✅ It verifies links, images, and buttons for functionality.
Types of Email Testing
There are many types of email testing that are currently in use. Let's have a look at them
| Type of Test | Purpose | Tools to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Email Deliverability Test | Ensures emails reach the inbox and not spam | Mail-tester, GlockApps |
| Spam Checker Online | Detects if an email might be marked as spam | Free email spam checker, Postmark |
| Email Rendering Test | Checks email display on different email clients | Litmus, Email on Acid |
| Broken Link Test | Verifies if all email links are working | Mailtrap, LinkChecker |
| Load Time Test | Measures how fast an email loads | Google PageSpeed, Email on Acid |
How to Test an Email Before Sending
To test an email before sending, you must follow these steps to ensure that an email is error-free and optimized.
1️⃣ Use a Free Email Testing Tool – Websites like Mail-tester help analyze your email’s spam score.
2️⃣ Send Test Email to Multiple Providers – Test emails in Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo to check for formatting errors.
3️⃣ Check for Spam Triggers – Use a free email spam checker to detect words that may trigger spam filters.
4️⃣ Verify Email Formatting & Responsiveness – Ensure the email template adjusts correctly on different devices.
5️⃣ Test All Links & Images – Click every link and confirm that all images load correctly.
6️⃣ Analyze Spam Filters – Run an email deliverability test to see if the email passes through spam filters.
Free Email Testing Tools You Can Use
There are some free and some paid tools that you can use to check your emails online. Out of these some of the best email testing tools to help improve your emails are given below
| Tool Name | Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Mail-tester | Checks spam score, analyzes SPF, DKIM | Free & Paid |
| GlockApps | Email deliverability test, spam checker | Free & Paid |
| Litmus | Email rendering test, template testing | Paid |
| Email on Acid | Cross-client email testing, link checking | Paid |
| Mailtrap | Safe email testing, HTML validation | Free & Paid |
Also Read - Understanding email servers
Using Mail Tester for Sample Email
Mail Tester is a useful tool for checking the quality and deliverability of your emails. It helps analyze spam scores, blacklisting issues, DKIM, SPF, and DMARC settings.
How to Use Mail Tester for a Sample Email:
1. Go to Mail Tester: Visit https://www.mail-tester.com/.2. Get a Test Email Address: The site will provide you with a unique email address.
- Spam Score: Evaluate your email’s likelihood of landing in spam.
- Blacklists: Checks if your sending IP is blacklisted.
- Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC): Verifies email authentication records.
- HTML & Content Analysis: Reviews formatting and spam trigger words.
- Broken Links: Detects invalid links in your email.
This helps improve email deliverability and ensures your emails reach inboxes instead of spam folders.
Common Email Testing Issues and Fixes
When testing emails, various issues can impact deliverability, formatting, and overall user experience. Below are some common problems, their causes, and practical solutions with examples.
1. Email Goes to Spam
Cause: The email contains spam-trigger words that email filters flag as suspicious.
Example: If your subject line is "Win a FREE iPhone now!", it might be marked as spam due to words like "free," "win," and "guarantee."
Solution: Avoid using overly promotional words. Instead of "100% free offer!", use "Exclusive deal for you!"
2. Images Not Loading
Cause: The email contains broken image links or missing alt text (alternative text).
Example: If you use a relative URL like /images/logo.png, some email clients may not display the image.
Solution: Use absolute URLs, such as "https://example.com/images/logo.png", and always include descriptive alt text so users understand the image even if it doesn’t load.
3. Email Formatting Breaks
Cause: The email is not designed for mobile devices, or it lacks proper inline CSS.Example: An email with a fixed 800px width may look fine on desktops but break on mobile screens.
Solution: Use responsive design with flexible widths (like max-width: 100%) and inline CSS to ensure proper formatting across devices.
4. Slow Email Load Time
Cause: Large images, excessive HTML elements, or unoptimized CSS can slow down the loading time.Example: If your email contains a 5MB high-resolution image, it will take longer to load.
Solution: Compress images using tools like TinyPNG, minify HTML/CSS, and remove unnecessary elements to improve load speed.
5. Links Not Working
Cause: The email contains incorrect, broken, or outdated URLs.Example: A link directing users to "htp://mywebsite.com" (missing "t" in "http") will not work.
Solution: Always test links before sending, ensure they are correct, and use tracking tools like UTM parameters to verify clicks.
Email Testing Best Practices
✅ Keep subject lines short and clear
✅ Use alt text for all images
✅ Avoid spam trigger words
✅ Optimize for mobile devices
✅ Check HTML and plain text versions
✅ Conduct A/B testing for different email variations
Also Read - Boost sales with email marketing
Email testing is essential for improving deliverability, preventing spam issues, and ensuring a great user experience. By using free email testing tools and following best practices, you can optimize your emails for maximum engagement and effectiveness.
