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Creating a template

Creating your template


There are lots of ways to create your template. You could

  • Design and write your own
  • Pay someone to do this for you  
  • Modify a generic/Open Source template that you have bought or "recycled"
  • Use the super-simple DIY template in the next chapter.

Here are some tips to help you set up your template for use with phpList.

If you don't understand the information in this chapter and you don't have anyone to help you with your template, then skip to the next chapter for a super simple template.

The Basics 


You should use inline styles, and unless you have configured phpList especially with a plugin, you must use a single column template.

If you choose a responsive template, your campaign editor should not use images with a width larger than a smartphone screen (max 320 by 480 pixels).


Logo: upload or remote link?

When you are designing or modifying your template, you need to decide if you will include your logo in the campaigns as an attachment or use a remote image. If you include your logo as an attachment it will always display to the recipient.an uploaded logo is included in your campaign

IMG_20190701_122404.png 
If you use a remote link, however, the image will only display when the subscriber gives permission (in most email and webmail clients).a remotely hosted logo is not included in your campaign 

IMG_20190701_122351.png

If you decide you upload your image then leave the local link (or just a use a "broken link") and you will be prompted to upload the image when you are adding your template to phpList.

A mandatory placeholder in the body 

You must include some strings that phpList will replace during the sending stage.

[CONTENT] 


The obligatory string is [CONTENT]. This will be replaced with the content of your message when you send your campaign.the content placeholder in phpList [content]

content_placeholder.png 
Adding your template to phpListTophpList

To add a template to phpList, go to Campaigns > Manage campaign templates from the main menu.manage campaign templates phpList

IMG_20190701_122341.png


You will then see a list of templates already in the system. By default there is one template, the systemSystem template (which styles things like the confirm subscription emails).add a new template

Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-00-01.png


Click Add new template. 


Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-01-03.pngName your templateFirst,template

First, give your template a Title. This will display in the list of templates to choose from during the campaign composition stage, so it is important that the name makes sense to the person writing the campaigns.

In this case we called the template template phpListSimple announcementsresponsive template, because it is the template we use when we announce a new version of phpList. We have different templates for community news and phpList hosted special offers, for example.name your template and upload it

Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-02-53.png

Upload your file 

To add your template you can paste the html into the editor, or upload it as a file. In this example we are uploading it.

Click the Browse button, locate the template file on your computer and click Open. The file name will then appear next to the Browse  button (as shown in the image above).

Save your template 

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save changes, using the checking tools if you wish.save your new template

Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-03-13.png


Upload your logo? 


The next screen gives you an opportunity to upload your template images, if you have any. This will usually be a logo. In this case the logo is hosted remotely and so no image is listed to upload.add images to your template, or not

add_image.png

Click Save images.

Your template will now be added to your list of Existing templates.

If you wish to set this template as the default for all campaigns, you can check the button under CAMPAIGN DEFAULT. 


a new template

Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-10-46.png  

Defaults and settings settings

There are some default settings for templates and footers at at Config > Settings under campaign settings. For example you can choose which template will be used by default by referring to its ID.specify default template phpList 

Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-12-21.png

The ID of the template can be found nextby tohovering your mouse on the template namename.  when

you go to Campaigns > Manage campaign templates from the main menu.template ID phpList 

Using your templateDuringtemplate

During campaign composition, use headings and other formatting as normal. You do not need to apply any additional styling such as text colour, if those elements are dealt with in your template.compose ready for template

Screenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-18-43.png

In the Format of the send campaign workflow, select your template from the Use template dropdown. 


format tab of compose process choose templateScreenshot-from-2019-07-01-12-19-13.png  
The template and theme are then applied during sending.template is applied

IMG_20190701_122404.png
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