Layouts
Business email signatures typically consist of three primary components - key contact information, company logo, and one or more hyperlinks. Of these, it is generally the logo that drives the layout. Logos can be more-or-less horizontal, squarish / roundish, or vertical. There are two primary layouts that we typically use, depending on the shape of the logo.
To provide so layout examples, here’s a link to our sample gallery. Note: This gallery has not been updated in over 10 years, and represents only designs that we have created in-house (we’re software developers, not graphic designers). The designs that we receive from agencies are typically much better than these.
Design Do’s & Dont’s
While we are willing and able to execute most designs, there are a couple hard-and-fast rules that must be adhered to (frustrating as they may be).
Web-safe fonts must be used. We generally refer to this ardicle when selecting fonts.
When a signature contains multiple columns, it is not possibe to hold steady the horizontal alignment across of elements across the columns. Therefore, presenting a design that relies on the horizontal alignment will ultimatley prove dissatisfactory as in actual use the alignment will shift.
Content Decisions
Following is a sort of “master list” of content options. Most signatures will consist of some subset of these items.
- Person’s photo (round or rectangular)
- Name
- Professional credentials / certifications
- Title
- Company logo (hyperlinked to website)
- Company name
- Physical address
- Phone number(s) - main, direct, toll free
- Mobile number
- Fax number
- Email address
- Website link
- vCard link
- Bio page link
- Careers link
- Personal LinkedIn page link
- Map link
- Schedule a Meeting link (Calendly, etc.)
- Social media icons (hyperlinked)
- User and/or company specific license numbers required by law
- Company tagline
- User specific tagline
- Special time-sensitive announcements
- Disclaimer / Confidentiality statement
If interested, here’s blog post entitled “Dissecting an Email Signature’s Content” which provides an in-depth analysis of content considerations.
In addition to the general list above, there may have some specific additions that are pertinent primarily to your, or your client’s, business. Examples include:
- Link to online catalog
- Link to sign up for a newsletter
- Link to “apply now” or “request a quote”
- Addition of a special award badge
- Etc.
It’s important to note the following two things:
- Almost no content request is impossible - if you can think of it it’s likely we can set it up
- Much content is optional, at the user’s discretion. The signatures will be designed to “collapse appropriately” when optional content is not included by a user. The result it a good finished result, regardelss of the user’s contnet selections.