Introduction
Incorporating GIFs and videos into your Klaviyo emails is a powerful strategy to capture attention, increase engagement, and boost conversion rates. Animated visuals and video content can help convey your message more effectively, showcase products in action, and create a memorable experience for your subscribers. This guide will show you how to use GIFs and videos in Klaviyo emails, including step-by-step instructions, best practices, and tips to optimize your email marketing strategy.
How to Use GIFs and Videos in Klaviyo Emails
The most effective way to add GIFs and videos to your emails in Klaviyo is by using Image Blocks for GIFs and Video Thumbnails with Play Buttons for videos. Klaviyo does not support direct video embedding, but you can create a seamless video experience with clickable thumbnails and animated GIFs.
Step-by-Step Guide: Adding GIFs and Videos to Klaviyo Emails
1. Log in to Your Klaviyo Account
Visit www.klaviyo.com and log in with your account credentials.
2. Create or Edit an Email Template
Navigate to Campaigns or Flows, depending on where you want to add GIFs or videos.
Click Create Campaign or add an Email Action to your flow.
Use the Drag-and-Drop Editor to design your email template.
3. Add GIFs to Your Klaviyo Email
a. Uploading a GIF Directly
Drag an Image Block into your email template.
Click Upload Image, then select the GIF file from your computer.
Ensure the GIF is under 1MB to maintain quick load times and compatibility with most email clients.
b. Customizing GIF Display Settings
Use the Image Block Settings to:
Adjust the Size and Alignment of the GIF.
Add a Link to the GIF, directing users to a relevant landing page.
Apply Alt Text for better accessibility and improved SEO.
4. Add Videos to Your Klaviyo Email
a. Create a Video Thumbnail with a Play Button
Upload a Thumbnail Image representing your video.
Overlay a Play Button on the image using your image editor, or use an online tool like Canva.
b. Link the Video Thumbnail to the Video
Add an Image Block to your email and insert the video thumbnail.
Link the image to your video hosted on a platform like YouTube, Vimeo, or a custom landing page.
When recipients click on the image, they will be redirected to watch the video.
c. Using a GIF as a Video Preview
Create a short GIF preview of your video using tools like Giphy or Adobe Photoshop.
Insert the GIF into your email with a play button to mimic a video experience.
This approach is useful when you want to show a video snippet without redirecting to an external site.
Best Practices for Using GIFs and Videos in Klaviyo Emails
1. Optimize File Sizes for Fast Loading
Keep GIFs under 1MB and compress video thumbnails to reduce email load times.
Use WebP or JPEG formats for images, and GIFV or MP4 for animated content.
2. Make GIFs Short and Impactful
Use GIFs to demonstrate quick product features, announce promotions, or add a fun element to your emails.
Avoid long and heavy GIFs that may affect deliverability and performance.
3. Add Play Buttons to Video Thumbnails
Adding a Play Button makes it clear to recipients that clicking the image will lead to a video.
Use a contrasting color for the button to make it stand out.
4. Test Your Email Across Devices
Ensure your GIFs play correctly and your video thumbnails link properly on both Desktop and Mobile views.
Klaviyo offers a Preview Mode where you can see how your email will look across different devices.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using GIFs and Videos in Klaviyo Emails
Not Adding Alt Text: Always include Alt Text for GIFs and video thumbnails to improve accessibility and display fallback text if the image fails to load.
Using Large GIFs: Oversized GIFs can slow down email load times and cause display issues on mobile devices.
Not Testing Links: Verify all video links lead to the correct page and load without issues.
Conclusion
Using GIFs and videos in Klaviyo emails is a dynamic way to engage your audience and boost email performance. By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, you can effectively integrate animations and videos into your email marketing strategy.
📩 If your email program is underperforming and you’re unsure how to optimize your email design, let’s talk.
At Dispatch, we help brands maximize revenue from email & SMS without damaging subscriber engagement.
👉 Connect with Dispatch today to optimize your email marketing strategy.
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