Top 10 animated emails

Every time I open my inbox I encounter more animated emails. Recent converts include Ralph Lauren, Piperlime and Clinique. With animated GIFs widely supported, everyone's joining the trend. Animated emails can boost your click throughs, even email purists have been persuaded to give animation a try.

My top 10 picks in no particular order.

Saks - March 07. Subject line - Want It! Our Spring Trend Line-Up + FREE SHIPPING

Land's End - March 08. Subject line - Hiker, sandal, sneaker in one - just $39.50!

Norm Thompson - Nov 07. Subject line - SAVE 20% on your entire Santa gift list!

Piperlime - April 08. Subject line - Welcome to Palm Beach.

REI Gearmail - Nov 07. Subject line - An REI Favorite - The North Face Denali Jacket

Art.com - Nov 07. Subject line - Change your Scenery - 20% Off Entire Order!

Horchow - Nov 07. Subject line - CLEARANCE EXPANDED: new items just added…

CB2 - Jan 08. Subject line - warhol for 3.95 (wink, wink)

Williams Sonoma - Jan 08. Subject line - Roasted Garlic + Herb Dip for Game Day

Neiman Marcus - April 08. Subject line - The ARTISTRY trend with a Fendi twist + EARN A $200 GIFT CARD

Looking at the 80 or so animated emails in my collection, some clear tactics stood out:

• Animation can reinforce branding, see REI Gearmail
• Stack multiple images into limited space, see Art.com
• Draw your eye to overlooked areas of the screen, see Piperlime
• Show off important product features, see Neiman Marcus
• Highlight important copy, see Horchow
• Add fun around the holidays, see Norm Thompson

Posted 2008-04-27 16:48:43