Spectra/myStratus Desktop | FAQ - HTML Emails vs. Email Form Letters

PLEASE NOTE:
The majority of the contents in this guide apply to both StudioPlus Spectra AND myStratus Desktop.
In most cases, instructions referring to "Spectra" also apply to myStratus Desktop.

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Welcome
myStratus API and Zapier Integration
Lab Integration
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InspiredByYou.com 2.0
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Communication
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- Communication Wizard
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- Form Letter Builder
- HTML Email Builder
- FAQ - Header / Footers Printing on HTML Letters
- FAQ - HTML Emails vs. Email Form Letters
- FAQ: How to export SendGrid HTML Emails and use them in Stratus
- Communication Maintenance
- Email
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InSpiredByYou.com 1.0 (Spectra only)
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Mobile Devices
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- Getting Started with Online Booking
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Payments and Refunds
- Features of Payment and Refund Records
- Payment Wizard
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Price List
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Reports
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Users and Security
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- Time Clock
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Web Forms (myStratus ONLY)
- Introduction to Web Forms
- 1. Web Forms Preferences
- 2. Building Web Forms
- 3. Creating Web Forms for Clients
- 4. Accessing Web Forms
- Web Form Statuses
- Bulk Create Web Forms
Optional Add-Ons
- Perfectly Clear Plug-in
- myStratus Maps
- DataSafe (Spectra only) - Depreciated 2023
  - Getting Started with DataSafe
  - Troubleshooting DataSafe Setup
- StudioPlus Mail
- OnLocation - Depreciated 2023
  - Getting Started with OnLocation - Depreciated 2023
  - Tips for using OnLocation - Depreciated 2023
- SMS Text Messages
- How to flag many clients SMS texts boxes
Appendices
- End User License Agreement
- StudioPlus Mail TOU

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Home > Communication > FAQ - HTML Emails vs. Email Form Letters
FAQ - HTML Emails vs. Email Form Letters

Q: What is the difference is between an form letter email and an HTML email?

A: Well, here are two versions of one of our emails -- one created as a form letter and one created with an HTML template provided by our web designer:

As you can see, the form letter email is pretty basic. It includes our logo image and a couple of links. The HTML email is designed much like a webpage and has more impact visually. From a design standpoint, it's a bit like the difference between something you'd create in Microsoft Word (form letter) and a newsletter or flyer you'd create in Microsoft Publisher (HTML email).

Pros & Cons

Here's a brief list of pros and cons.

	Description	Pros	Cons
HTML Email	Created by web designer or 3rd party HTML design app. Added to the software with HTML Email Builder. Can be sent to an individual client or in bulk with the Communication Wizard. Can include merge fields. Best for marketing emails.	High visual impact. Images are not embedded.	Complicated to create (HTML coding required). Graphics require web hosting. Some email programs block images from appearing (i.e., "Click here to see images.").
Form Letter Email	Created right in the software with built-in text editor. Can by sent to an individual client or in bulk with the Communication Wizard. Can also be printed or sent as a text message. Great for transactional emails, such as confirmations, reminders, etc.	Easy to create in text editor. Not impacted (as much) by email provider.	Visually simple. Images are embedded, requiring more system resources.