# How to Test Email Rendering Across Clients and Devices
Sending an email that looks broken is a quick way to damage your brand's credibility. Whether it’s a button that doesn’t show up in Outlook or an image that overflows on an iPhone, rendering issues can significantly drop your click-through rates and ROI.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to systematically test your emails so they look professional for every subscriber, regardless of what device or app they use.
Why Rendering Matters for Australian Businesses
With over 80% of Australians now checking their emails on mobile devices, a "desktop-first" approach is no longer enough. Furthermore, many Australian corporate environments still rely on older versions of Outlook, which are notorious for "breaking" modern HTML designs. Testing ensures your message is delivered exactly as you intended.---
Prerequisites: What You’ll Need
Before you start, ensure you have the following:- An email marketing platform (e.g., Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or ActiveCampaign).
- Access to a few physical devices (an iPhone, an Android phone, and a laptop).
- (Optional but Recommended) A professional testing tool like Litmus or Email on Acid.
- Your email content and design ready for a test run.
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Step 1: Design with a "Mobile-First" Mindset
Before you even send a test, ensure your design is responsive. Use a single-column layout where possible. Australian users often check emails on the go (on the train or between meetings), so a clear, vertical flow is much easier to read on a small screen. What you should see: In your email builder, look for a "Mobile Preview" toggle. Your content should stack vertically, and text should remain legible without zooming.Step 2: Set Up Your Personal "Test Suite"
Don't rely solely on software. Create a list of 3-5 email addresses you own across different providers. At a minimum, you should have:- A Gmail account (tested in the mobile app and browser).
- An Outlook/Hotmail account.
- A BigPond or OptusNet account (still common among older Australian demographics).
Step 3: Send Your First Internal Test
Use the "Send Test Email" function in your platform. Send it to your primary work address first. Pro Tip: Always include the word "TEST" in the subject line so you don't accidentally confuse your colleagues if they are BCC'd.Step 4: Check the "Preview Text" and Subject Line
On your mobile device, look at the notification before you even open the email.- Does the subject line get cut off?
- Is the preview text (the snippet of text after the subject) engaging, or does it say "View this email in your browser"?
Step 5: Test Image Rendering and Alt Text
Many email clients (especially Outlook) block images by default. Disable images in your settings and look at your email.- Can you still understand the message?
- Did you add "Alt Text" to your images?
Step 6: Validate Your Links and Buttons
Click every single link. This includes your logo, social media icons, and the unsubscribe link.- The Fat Finger Test: On a mobile device, are your buttons large enough to tap easily? We recommend a minimum size of 44x44 pixels for any clickable element.
Step 7: Inspect Dark Mode Performance
Dark Mode is now a standard feature on iOS and Android. Some email clients will automatically invert your colours.- Check if your logo has a transparent background. A black logo on a dark background will disappear unless you add a subtle white glow or use a PNG with transparency.
Step 8: Use an Automated Testing Tool (The Pro Way)
If you have the budget, tools like Litmus or Email on Acid allow you to see screenshots of your email in 100+ different clients (including obscure versions of Outlook) within seconds. What you should see: A grid of thumbnails showing exactly how your email looks on an iPad, a Samsung Galaxy, a Gmail tab in Chrome, and more.Step 9: Check for "Guttering" and Alignment
In some versions of Outlook, perfectly aligned columns can sometimes shift. Look for unwanted white spaces (gutters) between images or text blocks. If you see these, you may need to adjust your padding or border settings in your email builder.Step 10: Final Proofread on a Different Screen
It’s amazing how many typos you miss on a desktop that suddenly jump out at you on a phone. Read your copy one last time on your mobile device to ensure the tone and flow feel natural.---
Pro Tips for Australian Marketers
- The "BigPond" Factor: If your target audience is 50+, they likely use BigPond addresses. These can be finicky with heavy HTML. Keep your code clean.
- Watch Your File Size: Keep your total email HTML size under 102kb. If it’s larger, Gmail will "clip" the email, hiding your footer and your unsubscribe link—which can lead to spam complaints.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Web Fonts Only: Not all email clients support fancy Google Fonts. Always define a "web-safe" fallback like Arial or Helvetica.
- Ignoring the Unsubscribe Link: Ensure your physical address (required by the Australian Spam Act) and the unsubscribe link are clearly legible and not hidden by poor formatting.
- Overloading Images: Too many images can trigger spam filters and slow down loading times on mobile data.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
My images are huge on mobile! Ensure your images are set towidth: 100% and height: auto in your editor. Avoid fixed pixel widths for mobile-responsive designs.
The fonts look different in Outlook.
Outlook often defaults to Times New Roman if it doesn't recognise your font. Double-check your CSS stack or stick to standard fonts for your body text.
My email is off-centre.
This usually happens when a fixed-width element (like a large image) is pushing the container out. Ensure no single element is wider than 600px.
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Next Steps
- Create a Checklist: Use the steps above to create a 5-minute pre-flight checklist for your team.
- Audit Your Templates: Go back and test your automated "Welcome" or "Abandoned Cart" emails—they are often the most neglected.
- Need a Professional Eye? If you're struggling to get your emails looking right, the team at Local Marketing Group can help. We specialise in high-converting, perfectly rendered email campaigns for Brisbane businesses. Contact us today to level up your email marketing.