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Building Better Emails: Design vs. Action

 

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Care. Click. Convert. It’s easier said than done.

Clever words and stunning visuals should do the trick, right?
It’s too often we see emails that look great but miss the mark on driving real action.

In this review with ECD’s very own Nathalia, we’re breaking down five email designs—the hits, the misses, and the quick fixes that can take them from good to great.

 

EMAIL #1

The Good

The email starts with a giant, eye-catching image of the product. How could we miss it? The transition to lifestyle photos allows the readers to put themselves in the models’ shoes. Chef’s kiss.
The rest of the design? Bold. Functional. Engaging.

The Not So Good

The paragraph text is tiny—too tiny. I’d make the font larger so it’s easier to read. The product catalog also fades into the background. A pop of color or a box around it could make it stand out. Simple tweaks. Big impact.

 

EMAIL #2

The Good

The “truth block” is the star here. It’s clean, sharp, and highlights what matters. You can’t miss it. The overall structure of the email keeps things easy to follow. Bonus points for clear visuals.

The Not So Good

It feels cramped. The sections don’t breathe, and the lack of spacing makes it hard to focus. Choose one product catalog (the final one is better) and give it space to shine. Less is always more when it comes to clarity.

 

EMAIL #3

The Good

The layout is immaculate—balanced sections, crisp images, seamless flow, and everything stands out while being cohesive? Beautiful.

The Not So Good

This email could use more CTAs. Adding clickable buttons to each product box would encourage action without overwhelming the reader. Make it easy for them to take the next step.

 

EMAIL #4

The Good

The CTAs here are great. Alternating styles keeps the email visually interesting without being repetitive. The images are also well done—clear and attention-grabbing.

The Not So Good

The discount in the first section should be the highlight. Instead, it gets buried by the image and header that follow. A bolder design for the discount would make it pop. It deserves the spotlight.

 

EMAIL #5

The Good

We love a good minimalist design. Every piece is accounted for and does some real heavy lifting. The first section feels really good. The product is emphasized, has a human element, and looks polished and sleek.

The Not So Good

I’m not a fan of the two CTAs stacked on top of each other. Having them side by side would create some breathing room. The final section? There is way too much text without a break. I’d add more photos or design elements to make it lighter on the eyes.

 

Takeaways

Good emails don’t just look nice. They guide. They simplify. They make it easy for readers to act.
The best ones find that balance—strong visuals, clear CTAs, and smooth flow. Small changes like better spacing, bigger fonts, or punchier sections can take an email from “meh” to memorable.
Keep it simple. Keep it focused. Keep it human.
Want more tips?

Stay tuned for more reviews, and let’s keep building emails that drive results.