Transactional Email Best Practices
Template Usage
Use Pre-built Templates
As referenced in our NextJS guide:
- Skip writing custom HTML
- Use our template builder for consistent branding
- Leverage pre-made, customizable templates
- Take advantage of dynamic variables with
{variable_name}
syntax
Template Variables
When using templates:
- Always provide all required variables
- Use descriptive variable names
- Test templates with sample data before sending
- Keep variable names consistent across templates
Email Content
Subject Lines
- Keep them clear and concise
- Include relevant information
- Avoid spam trigger words
- Use consistent formatting
Email Body
- Use plain text when possible
- If using HTML, ensure proper formatting
- Include both text and HTML versions
- Keep content focused and relevant
Delivery Optimization
Domain Verification
As noted in our rate limits documentation:
- Verify your domain for better deliverability
- Complete DNS setup properly
- Monitor domain health in dashboard
- Keep DNS records up to date
Rate Limits
Follow our established limits:
- Trial accounts: Up to 100 emails total (10/hour limit)
- To increase limits: Verify your domain at notify.cx/dashboard/domains (or email us at hello@notify.cx)
Monitoring & Analytics
Track Delivery
Monitor email performance through:
- Sent: Email has been accepted by our servers
- Delivered: Successfully delivered to recipient's server
- Opened: Email was opened by the recipient
- Clicked: Link in the email was clicked by the recipient
- Bounced: Email bounced from recipient's server
- Complained: Recipient has complained about the email
- Rejected: Email was rejected by recipient's server
Implementation Best Practices
Error Handling
Always implement proper error handling:
Status Monitoring
-
Check delivery status through the dashboard
-
Monitor bounce rates
-
Track open and click rates
-
Review delivery patterns regularly
Security Considerations
API Key Management
- Store API keys securely in environment variables
- Never expose keys in client-side code
- Rotate keys if compromised
- Use separate keys for development and production
Data Privacy
- Only send to verified recipients
- Keep email logs secure
- Implement proper access controls
- Follow data retention policies
Testing
Before Sending
- Preview templates in the builder
- Test with sample data
- Verify all variables are populated
- Check formatting across email clients
Production Monitoring
- Monitor delivery rates
- Track bounce rates
- Review analytics regularly
- Check email logs for issues
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Template Issues
- Missing required variables
- Incorrect template IDs
- Unescaped HTML in plain text
- Broken dynamic content
Delivery Problems
- Exceeding rate limits
- Unverified domains
- Invalid recipient addresses
- Poor email content formatting
Meta Information
From & Reply-To Addresses
- Use your product/company name that recipients will recognize
- Avoid using 'noreply@' addresses - it signals you don't want customer interaction
- Consider using different addresses for different notification types (e.g., billing@, support@)
- Set up proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
- Implement BIMI for brand logo display in inboxes
Subject Lines & Pre-headers
- Keep subjects under 50 characters
- Put critical information at the beginning
- Use pre-headers to extend subject line information
- Avoid redundant information (don't repeat company name)
- Make subjects filterable for inbox organization
Recipient Management
- Use 'To' field for primary recipients
- Use 'Cc' for secondary recipients who need to be informed
- Consider 'Bcc' for privacy when sending to multiple recipients
- Never expose customer email addresses in group sends
Content & Design
Email Body
- Ensure HTML emails are mobile-responsive. All templates created on Notify are mobile-responsive by default.
- Keep content focused and relevant
- Break content into scannable sections
Personalization
- Use recipient's name appropriately
- Customize timestamps to recipient's timezone
- Include relevant context about why they're receiving the email
- Skip empty notifications (e.g., "no activity" digests)
- Tailor content based on user behavior and preferences
Mobile Optimization
- Test on various mobile devices
- Use responsive design principles
- Ensure buttons/links are touch-friendly
- Optimize images for mobile loading
- Keep layouts simple and scrollable
Technical Implementation
Authentication & Security
- Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
- Use separate domains for transactional and marketing emails
- Monitor domain reputation
- Secure API keys and credentials
- Follow data privacy regulations
Delivery Optimization
- Monitor bounce rates and delivery status
- Track open and click rates
- Review analytics regularly
- Implement proper error handling
- Keep DNS records up to date
Best Practices by Email Type
Account-Related Emails
- Include clear branding
- Provide context about the account
- Add security information when relevant
- Include account management links
- Offer customer support options
Notification Emails
- Keep design minimal for frequent notifications
- Consider batching multiple notifications
- Allow granular notification preferences
- Include clear action items
- Provide context about the triggering event
Time-Sensitive Emails
- Use absolute dates and times
- Clearly state expiration times
- Include timezone information
- Show countdown or validity period
- Offer clear next steps
User Experience
Preference Management
- Allow easy unsubscribe options
- Provide notification management
- Respect user preferences
- Allow frequency adjustments
- Make preferences accessible without login
Reply Handling
- Monitor and respond to email replies
- Set up proper reply-to addresses
- Process inbound emails effectively
- Route responses to appropriate teams
- Maintain conversation context
Accessibility
- Ensure proper contrast ratios
- Use semantic HTML structure
- Provide alt text for images
- Make links clearly visible
- Test with screen readers
Monitoring & Analytics
Key Metrics to Track
- Delivery rates
- Open rates
- Click-through rates
- Bounce rates
- Reply rates
- Spam complaints
Common Issues to Watch
- Template rendering problems
- Missing variables
- Authentication failures
- Rate limit violations
- Delivery delays
- Content formatting issues
Testing & Quality Assurance
Before Sending
- Preview across email clients
- Test all dynamic variables
- Verify links and buttons
- Check mobile responsiveness
- Validate HTML/CSS
- Review plain text version
Production Monitoring
- Track delivery success rates
- Monitor bounce patterns
- Review user engagement
- Check for rendering issues
- Validate tracking functionality
Next Steps
- Learn how to send your first email
- Learn how to create and use email templates
- Learn how to use Notify with Node.js
- Learn how to use Notify with JavaScript
- Learn how to use Notify with React/Next.js