Email Signatures can be a real pain. The requirements are pretty clear. A consistent, professionally designed email signature that is branded, appears well on all devices and is easy to update. If only it was that simple. When we create a new brand, we always include email signatures as a must have. These days they get more exposure than a business card, and marketing messages embedded in emails gain better traction than email blasts. We often get asked to create email signatures as a standalone service, so here are some important things you should know about options available to you.
Automated EMAIL SIGNATURE MANAGEMENT
To have an email signature look the same on every device, you need to engage a service provider that can integrate with your email server.
PROS:
- Ensures consistency across devices
- All data is centralised
- Branding is always consistent
- No input required by staff
- HTML emails allow you to add links
- Images are loaded in emails, not attached as files
- No cost to set up
- You can design your own email using templates
CONS:
- Must maintain a staff directory such as Active Directory or G Suite Directory to centrally manage staff details
- Must use an exchange server such as Office 365 or G Suite so details can be attached remotely
- Must allocate email management role to a staff member who can access both systems and liaise with support
- Initial fee for email signature plus ongoing license fees per year, tiered to number of users
- Ongoing license fees per yer tiered to number of users for Active Directory
- Email is added after email is sent, so you cannot see it.
PRICING
G SUITE:
- G Suite Pricing from $8.40 per user https://gsuite.google.com/intl/en_au/pricing.html
- G Suite Directory TeamTools: free up to 50 users https://teamtoolsapp.com/
- Email Management Service: Xink from $11 per user per month https://www.xink.io/xink-pricing/
OFFICE 365:
- Office 365 Business Essentials (Web and Mobile only) from $6.90 per user per month, OR
- Office 365 Business Premium from $17.20 per user per month https://products.office.com/en-AU/compare-all-microsoft-office-products?tab=2
- Active Directory from $1-$4 per user or free if your IT provider is licensed https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-azure-active-directory-basic-generally-available/
- Email Management Service: Email Signatures for Office 365 from $14.20 per user per month (min 10) https://www.codetwo.com/email-signatures/pricing/
MANUAL EMAIL SIGNATURE MANAGEMENT
To have an email signature look the same on most devices, you need to have a designer create your email signature and set up so you can maintain yourself.
PROS:
- Consistency for desktop use
- No Active Directory setup cost and ongoing fees
- No Email Management ongoing fees
- Staff can update details themselves
- Branding is always consistent
- Designer creates a unique signature customised for you instead of restricted to a template
- HTML emails allow you to add links
- Images are loaded in emails, not attached as files
CONS:
- Not consistent across devices, mobile devlces can only use text only
- Data not centralised, needs to be updated manually
- Data can be centralised but your IT department or provider will need to maintain for you
- Upfront cost for designer to create your custom signature
PRICING:
- Existing Email costs as per your current provider
- No ongoing fees
HOW WE CAN HELP
As part of our branding services, we create email signatures as part of the brand implementation. We also offer custom email signatures as an ad-hoc service, with the following options:
Custom design plain text + attached image: One-off fee $200
Easy to set up, however the footer details are locked up in a static image, which will be an attachment when you send. If client has attachments blocked, they will not see the image.
Custom design HTML Email Signature: One-off fee $500
You can have text, links, icons, and the images are hosted online, so won’t be attached to emails and can be seen by clients who switch off attachments. Instructions provided, however it is recommended that the HTML Email signature be supplied to your IT department or provider for ongoing changes and updates as you may need to edit some simple code.
Custom design email management template: One-off fee $200
We can use your email management service design tools to customise your signature to be consistent with your branding.
If you need help with creating an email signature that works best for your business feel free to contact us for more information.
*All prices are in Australian Dollars and do not include GST