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Hosting images for HTML email in Mail Designer 365

Hosting images for HTML email designs

By Hans-Peter HTML Export

Hosting images online is essential when you export your design as HTML to send through a third-party service. It ensures every image is still displayed after you export the email design.

Step 1: Find out where to host your images

Many email service providers (ESPs) do not host the images in your email template for you. In this case, you need to host them yourself. This means all of your images need to be uploaded to a web-based location which is publicly available (i.e. your website or web server), so that your recipients can see them in the email.

The best way to identify this location is by consulting with your IT department or whoever is responsible for running your website. They will help you figure out where you can host your images, give you the specific URL prefix you need to enter into Mail Designer 365, and show you how to upload all the image files.

Step 2: Export your Mail Designer 365 design

When you have finished designing your email template and are ready to export to your ESP, go to "Share" > "Website / HTML."

Exporting a Mail Designer 365 template as a HTML file

In the export window, you will see the option "Prefix image URLs with:". Here, as referenced in the previous step, you should enter the exact URL prefix given to you by the IT department.

Entering the hosted image URL prefix in Mail Designer 365

After this, fill out the rest of the export fields and then click on "Export" to export your design as a HTML file.

Step 3: Upload images to your web server

Following export, you can proceed to upload your images to the location where they will be hosted from. Follow the URL prefix you entered into Mail Designer 365 and upload all of the images from the HTML export folder to that location.

If you have difficulty uploading files or require permission to access the server, an IT administrator or similar will be able to help.

Uploading exported email images to a web server

Now, you can upload your email template to your chosen ESP. You will find a list of our export guides for individual email services here.

Export Email Marketing Designs to Other Tools

By Team equinux HTML Export

You can export email marketing designs from Mail Designer 365 when another newsletter service supports custom HTML templates with images. The exact import workflow depends on the destination provider, but the exported files normally include the HTML and image assets required to reproduce the design.

Mail Designer 365 also provides integrated sending options for email campaigns. Export is useful when your organisation needs to deliver through another compatible email service provider.

Check the destination tool before exporting

Before preparing the design, confirm that the destination service accepts custom HTML email templates. Check whether it supports uploaded image files, a complete ZIP archive, pasted HTML, or another package format. Some services limit custom code or require particular account permissions.

Review the provider's current documentation instead of assuming that every platform uses the same import screen. Mail Designer 365 creates the export, while the receiving service controls how that package is uploaded, validated, and sent.

Export the HTML email design

Complete the layout, links, alternative text, desktop version, and mobile version before exporting. Then use the Mail Designer 365 export workflow to create the HTML and associated files. For the detailed export steps, see how to export a design as a website.

Mail Designer 365 export options for an HTML email design

Keep the exported files together

Do not rename, omit, or reorganise files until you understand how the HTML references its images. A missing asset or changed path can cause broken images after import. Keep an untouched copy of the original export so you can return to a known package if the destination tool changes a file.

If you need a ZIP archive, create it from the complete exported folder rather than selecting only the HTML file. The receiving provider may expect the relative file structure to remain intact.

Choose the import method required by your provider

Depending on the email marketing service, you may need to use one of these approaches:

  • Upload one compressed ZIP archive containing all files exported from Mail Designer 365.
  • Upload the HTML file and a separate ZIP archive containing the images.
  • Copy and paste the HTML source, then upload the images through the provider's media workflow.
  • Upload the HTML and image files individually while preserving their expected paths.

Use the method documented by the destination service. Do not mix instructions from different providers, because their template editors, image hosting, and validation rules can differ.

Review images and links after import

Open the imported template inside the destination tool and check every image. Confirm that images are publicly reachable and not linked to a private local file. Review the desktop and mobile layouts for changed spacing, widths, or crops.

Click every important link and verify the final destination. Preserve approved tracking parameters and make sure the receiving platform has not added a conflicting destination. Check buttons, linked images, unsubscribe behaviour, and required sender information according to the provider's rules.

Do not use Mailchimp export instructions in reverse

This page describes exporting a design from Mail Designer 365 and importing it into another compatible tool. It does not explain how to export an existing Mailchimp campaign or template. Those are different workflows controlled by Mailchimp and should use Mailchimp's current documentation.

Troubleshoot a custom HTML import

  • Images are missing: verify that all image files were uploaded and that their paths remain valid.
  • The layout changes: check whether the destination editor rewrites or restricts custom HTML.
  • The provider rejects the package: compare the archive structure and file types with its import requirements.
  • Links are incorrect: inspect the imported destination rather than relying only on the original design.

Send a test before launching the campaign

Send a test message through the destination platform. Review it in common desktop and mobile email clients, test images-on and images-off behaviour, and click every primary action. If the imported result differs materially, correct the Mail Designer 365 source or adjust the destination workflow, then export and test again.

How to Export Email as Webpage with Mail Designer 365

By Team equinux HTML Export
Want to share your email design as a live, clickable webpage? With Mail Designer 365, you can export email as webpage in just a few steps. This creates an HTML version of your design that can be opened in any browser — ideal for sharing, archiving, or integrating with other platforms.
Exporting your email as a webpage lets you:
  • Provide a browser-friendly version for email clients that don’t support HTML
  • Link to your newsletter directly from your website
  • Reuse your design with other email marketing services

How to Export Email as Webpage with Mail Designer 365

Exporting your email as a webpage creates a standalone HTML file that can be opened in any browser. This is useful for sharing your design online, archiving it, or linking to it directly from your website. Mail Designer 365 makes this process quick and straightforward.

Step 1 – Open Your Design

Launch Mail Designer 365 and open the email design you want to export.

Step 2 – Start the Export Email as Webpage Process

From the toolbar, go to:
Share > Save as Website

This will open the export dialog where you can configure your export settings.

Mail Designer 365 export menu showing the Save as Website option to export email as webpage

Step 3 – Select Export Location

Choose a folder where your exported website files should be saved.

Step 4 – (Optional) Rename the HTML File

You can enter a custom file name for the HTML file into the field "Name of HTML file" (e.g., newsletter-summer-sale.html).

Step 5 – (Optional) Add Image URL Prefix

In most cases, you will upload the HTML file and images together in the same folder on your web server.
If that’s what you’re doing, simply leave this field blank and make sure the checkbox is not selected.

Only use the “Prefix image URLs with” option if your images will be hosted in a different location from your HTML file.

Example (separate hosting):

If your images are uploaded to: https://mywebsite.com/resources/newsletters/2023/business-event

You can enter that URL here, and your exported HTML will reference images like: https://mywebsite.com/resources/newsletters/2023/business-event/image-1.jpg

Mail Designer will use this prefix in all image links inside your exported HTML file.

Important: If you’re not hosting images in a different location than your HTML file and just uploading all files to the same folder, just leave this field blank. If you are using a separate image hosting location, see our tutorial for uploading your images to a separate web server.

Mail Designer 365 export dialog with image URL prefix option to export email as webpage

Step 6 – Finalize and Export Email as Webpage

You’re now ready to export email as webpage and upload the files to your website or server.
Click Export to create your website folder.
Mail Designer will generate a Folder containing:
  • An .html file of your email design
  • All used image in your design

Step 7 – Upload to Your Web Server

Once your design is exported, you can upload the HTML file and images to your web server.
Here’s how to do it:
Option 1: Use an FTP Client
Use an FTP tool like FileZilla, Transmit, or Cyberduck to upload both the .html file and the images folder to your web server.
  • Upload both items to the same folder
  • Make sure folder names and file paths stay exactly the same
Option 2: Use Your Web Hosting Control Panel
If your web host has a control panel (such as cPanel or Plesk), you can usually upload files directly via the File Manager tool.
Important: If you used the “Prefix image URLs with” option during export, make sure your images are uploaded to the correct path that matches the URL you entered.
After Uploading
Once uploaded, your email design will be viewable in the browser. For example:
https://mywebsite.com/resources/newsletters/2023/business-event
You can now:
  • Link to this page from your website
  • Add a “View in browser” link to your email campaigns
  • Share the URL directly with your audience

If you’re not sure how to get started with uploading files, this beginner’s guide on how to host a webpage will walk you through the basics.

Many users export email as webpage to create permanent online archives of their newsletters.

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