An HTML newsletter gives you full control over layout and branding. For agencies and in-house developers in Antigua and Barbuda, that control comes with responsibility: the email has to render in dozens of mail apps, on phones and desktops, for readers on the islands and in the markets your clients sell to.
When HTML makes sense
Hand-coded HTML is worth it when a brand has strict design rules (a luxury resort, a private bank), when you reuse a design built by an agency, or when you need layouts the visual builders do not offer. For most weekly updates, Mailpro’s drag-and-drop builder is faster. You can also mix approaches: design in the builder, then fine-tune the code.
Importing your design into Mailpro
Paste your code or upload a file using HTML newsletter import. Mailpro hosts the images, adds tracking to links and inserts the unsubscribe link. The HTML editor lets you make quick text changes later without touching the code.
Coding tips that matter for this market
Keep images light
Mobile coverage across Antigua and Barbuda is broad, but speeds vary, particularly in rural areas, on Barbuda and in the days after a storm. Compress photos, set width and height attributes, and avoid building the whole email as one large image. Beach and yacht photography is tempting to use at full size; resist.
Design mobile-first
Use a single-column layout that stacks cleanly, font sizes of at least 14px for body text, and buttons large enough for a thumb. Mailpro templates are responsive by default if you want a coded starting point.
Plan for dark mode
Many readers use dark mode. Test that logos with transparent backgrounds remain visible and that turquoise-and-white island palettes do not turn unreadable.
Always include alt text
Some mail apps block images by default. Alt text like “Sunset over Galleon Beach” keeps the message understandable.
Add a plain-text version
A plain-text alternative helps accessibility and deliverability.
Authentication and footer requirements
Gmail and Yahoo now require bulk senders to authenticate their mail and offer easy unsubscribing. Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC on your sending domain; Mailpro’s guide to email authentication explains each. In the footer, include your business name, physical address in Antigua or Barbuda, and a contact method. Section 42 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2006 requires businesses selling to consumers electronically to identify themselves clearly.
Test before every send
- Preview on iPhone, Android and desktop mail apps.
- Click every link, including booking engines and WhatsApp click-to-chat links.
- Check how currency is shown: many tourism businesses quote US dollars, while local retailers use Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD). Label the currency clearly.
- Send a test to a colleague who reads on a different device.
Reusing your HTML
Once a coded design works, save it as a template in Mailpro so your team can reuse it every month without touching the code. Lock the header, footer and brand colours, and leave clearly marked areas for the monthly content. That way a front-office manager can update the newsletter while the developer’s layout stays intact.
Prefer not to code? Go back to creating newsletters in Antigua and Barbuda for the no-code options.