Most email marketing providers already offer a wide range of templates that can be used at no extra cost. Unfortunately, not all of these email templates are responsive or specifically tailored to certain topics.
Where can additional high-quality templates be found, ideally for free?
500+ Email Templates on GitHub
A casual search on GitHub, a platform primarily for open-source software, led to surprising results.
Currently, there are more than 500 email templates, most of which are responsive and free. Many of these templates are high-quality enough to be used in commercial campaigns.
View 500+ email templates on GitHub
For example, this email template works for all types of emails:
The template is available in three versions: one, two, or three columns. It can basically be customized for all email campaigns. Whether product news, informational, or personal emails — anything is possible.
The email looks great in more than 10 email clients, indicating high quality. Templates like these are plentiful on GitHub, as long as time is taken to browse through them.
A major advantage of GitHub is how the platform works: users can support each other, and it's common for hundreds of people to collaborate on a single project.
GitHub is not only a great source for HTML email templates but also for free, high-quality software. It's a go-to platform when searching for free web software or resources.
Other Sources for Free Email Templates
These websites also offer professional, free email templates:
- MailBakery.com — over 50 professional email templates for a variety of topics. Free to use and no registration required.
- Template.net — over 40 templates. One-column layouts are recommended for best results.
- Litmus.com — five thoroughly tested templates suitable for different email types.
When choosing a template, it's not enough to pick one that simply looks good. There are important considerations, as explained below.
What to Consider When Choosing an Email Template
Many email templates resemble website designs, often featuring two or more columns. Such designs are usually not ideal for mobile devices.
Multi-column layouts often waste space and are unnecessary. A single-column design with elements stacked vertically is recommended.
Emails should not be treated like websites, even though similar technologies are used. The trend on the web is clearly moving toward single-column designs. For emails, this layout ensures maximum usability and marketing impact.
Conclusion
There are already hundreds of free email templates available online. Many email marketing providers offer hundreds of templates that can be used from the very first campaign and easily customized with an editor.
If the right template is not available within an email marketing tool, searching on GitHub or using other recommended sources is a reliable way to find a suitable HTML template for the planned campaign.