Interactive email templates

Everything you should know about interactive email (and why it matters)

It’s definitely different when emails have some engaging elements that people can interact with. It could be sending an embedded quiz, a limited-time offer with a countdown timer, a seasonal mini-game, or an AMP carousel with customer feedback. Get creative with interactive elements — your subscribers will spend more time with your content!

Since emails with dynamic content get higher click-through rates than their static counterparts, having out-of-the-box interactive email templates isn’t just a complimentary thing — it’s a game-changer for your marketing strategy. After all, subscribers want to play, click, and explore — not just scroll through static content.

Ever noticed how your fingers start tapping and scrolling when you see those engaging carousels or clickable quizzes right in your inbox? That’s exactly what modern email marketing is all about! Interactive email templates have gone from an afterthought to a must-have marketing tool.

For example, Epsilon’s study shows that interactive emails with live time-of-open content generated about 40% higher engagement than standard newsletters. Think about it — when was the last time you ignored an email that let you play with it right in your inbox?

Recent data from Selzy reveals something even more compelling. Brands that use interactive email elements see a huge spark in conversion rates compared to those that keep using static newsletters. Now that’s worth a click!

Make your emails interactive (we mean, truly)

Let’s talk about what sets interactive email templates apart from regular promotional content. It’s all about getting your subscribers involved — literally! Spiceworks (former  Martech Advisor) states that adding a video to your email content can increase click-through rates by around 300%, while interactive email content increases click-through rates by 73%.

Are there any secrets behind that? Well, probably yes. It’s not just about dropping a carousel or poll into an email template. The thing is, for building engagement you have to create an experience that feels natural and intuitive, something that makes subscribers want to interact. That is what gets people to engage and convert. For example, you can use live shopping carts, swipeable product galleries, and gamified elements that respond instantly to subscriber input.

Why any email templates must be device-smart 

Here’s something interesting you might not know: Outgrow found that 52% of marketers have identified interactive emails as the most effective form of interactive content, showing a massive shift in subscriber expectations.

On top of that, most emails are opened on mobile devices, many during commute times or break periods. And interactive emails are not an exception. Makes sense, right? People are more likely to check their inboxes when they have a few minutes to spare!

That’s why our interactive email templates are designed to work flawlessly on every device. From the latest iPhone to Android tablets, your interactive emails will always function perfectly and look stunning. 

Gamification and timing play a huge role

A brilliant example is recent stats from Spike, showing that incorporating gamification into email marketing has been shown a huge improvement to engagement. For instance, interactive emails can lead to a 300% increase in click rates. Get the most out of it — start using user behavior patterns and automation for your interactive email campaigns and make them matter. Quick polls during morning commutes? Shoppable galleries after work? Your audience is ready to engage!

And make sure you’ve got backup plans for when subscribers aren’t as active. Your interactive emails should always work, so be sure you use fallback options besides fancy features and create a true cross-client experience. Choose what works best — Selzy’s built-in email editor for reliable components, or our tested integrations that let you add advanced features like live social media feeds. 

Social engagement naturally complements dynamic elements — perfect for cross-channel success! Take it further by gamifying app downloads — Selzy’s editor includes interactive app promotion blocks that you can easily drop into any email template.

The key stats behind successful email designs 

Wondering what really makes interactive email templates perform? It’s smart functionality and native integration. By the way, both are available right within our new visual editor — but let’s get back to the point.

Latest findings from Mailmodo reveal that 91% of consumers prefer interactive content, yet only 17% of marketers provide it, indicating a substantial opportunity for businesses to enhance engagement through interactivity. What’s more, 76% of subscribers actually prefer interactive email content over static layouts.

Fascinating, isn’t it? Whether it’s remembering their quiz responses or suggesting products based on their interactive behavior, it’s all about making each interaction count.

Recipe for perfect emails that get clicked

Our collection of interactive email templates makes it super easy to start serving up engaging content to your subscribers. With Selzy’s drag and drop email editor, you can choose and customize any interactive email template in minutes with no coding required. Product galleries, feedback forms, live polls, and animated CTAs — we’ve got templates that will make your email campaigns impossible to ignore.

Pick a template that matches your brand’s style, customize it with your unique dynamic elements (yes, you can code them if you’d like), send and watch your engagement metrics climb. Because when it comes to modern email marketing, engagement is just as important as the message itself!