GIFs exist in every corner of the internet, both for lighthearted entertainment and communication—but who knew these would become so popular among marketers today? Capturing a user’s attention can be difficult, especially when you have to do it in a short span of time. However, these wonderful animated files make the task possible.
Effective email marketing gets the message across in a concise yet memorable way. So whether you sell services or provide an important product update, you’ll want to include visuals that encourage your audience to stop, read, and act. That’s why GIFs—with personality, color, and flair—can be a powerful customer engagement tool.
Below, we offer a quick, easy tutorial on how to insert a GIF into email. We also provide deeper insight into why GIFs are important for your marketing campaigns.
Using GIFs for social media is relatively easy, but sending GIFs by email is another process entirely. Whether you use a public database like Giphy or your GIF creation, there are steps you must take to successfully format them.
Before we dive into the methods, it's important to understand that a GIF is a series of image frames played in sequence. When inserting a GIF into an email, you need to make sure it's transferred correctly so all frames display—not just the first one.
Since a GIF is essentially a compilation of multiple image frames, you must transfer it into an email correctly for all the images to show—not just one. Still, there are multiple ways to insert a GIF:
Method 1: Copy and paste a GIF link
Find a GIF you want to use on a site like Giphy or Tenor.
Copy the GIF's direct link. Usually, you can right-click on the GIF and select "Copy image address" or "Copy image link".
In your email compose window, look for an option to insert an image. This is often represented by a picture icon.
Instead of uploading a file, look for an option to insert an image from a URL.
Paste the GIF link you copied into the URL field.
Confirm the insertion, and the GIF should appear in your email.
Method 2: Insert a GIF from your computer
Save the GIF you want to use to your computer. Make sure it's saved with a .gif file extension.
Open your email and start composing a new message.
Look for an option to insert an image. This is typically an icon that looks like a picture or mountain.
Choose the option to upload a file from your computer.
Navigate to where you saved the GIF, select it, and click "Open" or "Insert".
The GIF should now appear in your email message.
Method 3: Drag and drop (works in many modern email clients)
Save the GIF to your computer or have it open in a separate window.
Open your email compose window.
Click and hold on the GIF file or image.
Drag it directly into your email compose window.
Release the mouse button to drop the GIF into place.
When you insert a GIF into Outlook email, you can safely assume that the steps will be similar to how you add GIFs via Gmail.
Step 1: Compose a new email
Open Outlook and start by creating a new email. You can do this by clicking on the "New Email" button, usually found in the upper left corner of the Outlook interface.
Step 2: Access the insert option
Once your new email window is open, you'll find a toolbar at the top of the window. Look for the "Insert" tab, which gives you various options for enhancing your email.
Step 3: Insert the GIF into Outlook email
Within the "Insert" tab, you have a few options to add images or graphics to your email. To insert a GIF, specifically:
Click on "Pictures" if you're using a desktop version of Outlook. This may appear as "Pictures Inline" in some versions.
If prompted, navigate to the location on your computer where the GIF is saved. This could be in your "Downloads" folder, "Desktop," or a specific folder where you save images.
Select the GIF file you wish to insert into your email. Click "Insert" to add it to your email content.
Step 4: Resize and adjust the GIF
After inserting the GIF into your email, you might notice that it's too large or small for your liking. To resize the GIF:
Click on the GIF to select it. You'll see sizing handles appear around the image.
Click and drag any of the corner handles to resize the GIF proportionally. Avoid using the side handles if you want to maintain the aspect ratio of the GIF.
Twilio SendGrid has a slightly different interface than other traditional email providers—and that’s a good thing, as it offers additional features that meet every unique email need. However, inserting GIFs is still a fairly simple process, much like Gmail and Outlook email. Here’s how:
Click the design library and choose Create email design if you’re making an email template from scratch.
Select Build, then Image.
Use the drag-and-drop feature or upload a GIF directly from your desktop files.
Insert the image.
Resize the GIF to fit within your email template dimensions.
Click Preview to see the final look and ensure the layout appears as intended.
GIFs can boost the experience of your emails, but you'll want to follow a few best practices to ensure you get it just right:
Email client compatibility: Not all email clients support GIF animation. Some might display only the first frame of the GIF as a static image. Consider your audience and the email clients they are likely to use.
Size and load time: Large GIFs can significantly increase email load time, potentially impacting recipient engagement. Optimize your GIFs for web use, aiming for smaller file sizes without compromising quality.
Relevance and appropriateness: GIFs should enhance your message, not distract from it. Ensure the GIFs you choose are relevant to your email’s content and appropriate for your audience.
Testing: Before sending your email to a broad audience, test it by sending it to various email clients, including mobile devices.
Troubleshooting: If your GIF doesn’t animate, check that you’ve inserted it as an image file and not as a link to a webpage. Also, verify that the .gif file is not corrupted and displays animations when viewed outside the email.
GIFs can be excellent tools for customer engagement, as email campaigns with attached images have a 42% higher click-through rate than those that don’t have images. Dell’s first GIF-centered email marketing campaign saw a 6% increased open rate, 42% increased click rate, and 103% increased conversion rate. In short, if your goal is to expand your reach and increase a certain number of clicks to a site, GIFs will help you get started—as long as the GIFs are fun, memorable, and purposeful.
Plus, GIFs can also add to your visual identity, allowing users to get a glimpse of your brand and personality. These engaging animations speak the language of the internet, providing a quick, digestible way to gather important information, so use them to your advantage. When used as a call to action, GIFs attract attention and allow fast access to your desired landing page.
With a cohesive marketing strategy and a consistent theme, GIFs are a useful way to garner more attention and set your company apart. Twilio SendGrid’s rich variety of email templates and user-friendly design tools allow you to painlessly and efficiently insert a GIF into email. Our services provide you with a solution to meet all your email marketing needs, so you can focus on building seamless email experiences that foster long-lasting customer loyalty.
Ready to get started incorporating GIFs into your email marketing campaigns to increase customer engagement? Contact us today to learn how.
