Getting Started with the BeeFree Email Editor

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Overview

WeGive's Email Editor is a drag-and-drop builder that lets you design polished, on-brand emails without writing code. This guide walks you through creating your first email template, what each part of the editor does, and the design best practices that help your emails get opened, read, and clicked.

Why HTML emails matter

Emails fall into two camps: plain text (the everyday text-only emails you send a colleague) and HTML emails (designed, branded emails). For donor communications, HTML is the standard because it lets you:

  • Reinforce your brand with logos, colors, and consistent typography so supporters instantly recognize you.

  • Drive engagement with images, buttons, and visual hierarchy that guide donors toward an action — give, register, RSVP.

  • Track performance through links and clicks so you can learn what resonates.

  • Tell richer stories with photos and visuals that text alone can't convey.

Plain text still has a place for simple transactional notes, but for appeals, newsletters, event invites, and stewardship emails, HTML wins.

Creating a new email message

From the email templates area in WeGive, click Create Email Message. You'll see a modal with two tabs:

  • Default Templates — start from a Blank Template when you want full control over the layout.

  • My Templates — pick from templates you've already created and saved.

Select your starting point and click Create Email Message to open the editor.

The Email Editor at a glance

The editor has three main areas:

  • The canvas (center) — where you build your email. Drag blocks here to assemble your design.

  • The side panel (right) — switch between three tabs:

    • Content — content blocks you drag onto the canvas (Title, Paragraph, List, Image, Button, Divider, Spacer, Social, Icons).

    • Rows — column structures (single column, two columns, etc.) to organize your layout.

    • Settings — global email settings like background color, content area width, and default fonts.

  • The top bar — includes Actions (undo/redo and other options), Show structure (toggles row outlines on the canvas to make editing easier), Save, the preview eye icon, and Done when you're finished.

In the upper-left of the canvas, use the desktop / mobile toggle to preview how your email will look on each device.

Building your first email — step by step

  1. Start with the goal. Before designing, get clear on the one action you want the reader to take — donate, register, read a story, RSVP. Everything in your email should point to that.

  2. Lay down rows. From the Rows tab, drag column structures onto the canvas to frame your header, hero, body, and footer.

  3. Drop in content blocks. Switch to the Content tab and drag blocks into your rows:

    • Title — for headlines and section headers.

    • Paragraph — for body copy.

    • List — for bullet or numbered lists.

    • Image — to add your logo, hero photo, or impact photos.

    • Button — for your call to action.

    • Divider — to visually separate sections.

    • Spacer — to add breathing room between blocks.

    • Social — to link out to your social profiles.

    • Icons — for small visual accents.

  4. Edit each block. Click any block on the canvas to open its settings on the right — change colors, padding, alignment, link URL, font, and size.

  5. Apply your brand. Use your organization's colors, fonts, and logo throughout. Consistency builds trust over time.

  6. Add a clear CTA button. Make it stand out with a contrasting brand color and use action-oriented text like "Donate Now," "RSVP," or "Read the Story."

  7. Preview on desktop and mobile. Toggle the device icons in the upper-left of the canvas and use the preview eye icon to see exactly what recipients will see.

  8. Save your work. Click Save in the top bar as you go, then Done when the template is finished.

Email design best practices

These foundations separate emails that get opened and clicked from emails that get deleted.

Readability

  • Use plenty of white space — add Spacer blocks between sections so the eye has somewhere to rest.

  • Establish visual hierarchy with Title blocks, short paragraphs, and lists so readers can scan.

  • Stick to legible fonts (Arial, Verdana, Georgia). Avoid overly decorative typefaces.

Responsiveness

  • Single-column layouts are the safest bet — they look clean on any screen.

  • Always check the mobile preview before saving. Roughly 41% of email opens happen on mobile, and emails optimized for mobile see a 24% lower bounce rate.

Accessibility

  • Add alt text to every Image block. Screen readers depend on it, and it shows when images don't load.

  • Maintain strong color contrast — aim for a 4.5:1 ratio between text and background for normal text (per WCAG guidelines).

  • Consider how your email looks in dark mode. Use logos with transparent backgrounds and test in both modes.

Compliance

  • Always include a visible unsubscribe link and your organization's mailing address. This is legally required under CAN-SPAM and GDPR.

Consistency

  • Match every email to your brand's style guide — same colors, same logo placement, same voice.

  • Build reusable templates for the email types you send most (newsletters, appeals, event invites, receipts) and save them under My Templates. Consistency builds trust and saves time.

Best practices for the elements you'll use most

CTA buttons

Make them bold and unmistakable. Use a contrasting brand color, action-oriented text ("Give Now," "Register," "Read More"), and place them somewhere thumb-friendly on mobile. For longer emails, repeat the CTA toward the bottom.

Imagery

Emails with images can lift click-through rates by up to 42%. Use high-quality, on-brand photos — ideally photos of the people and impact your organization creates. Avoid generic stock images. Always add alt text.

Layout

Use Divider and Spacer blocks intentionally — too much padding feels disconnected, too little feels cramped. Aim for clear, scannable sections with a single focus per block.

Test before you send

Before pushing a campaign live:

  • Send a test email to yourself and at least one other person.

  • Open it on desktop, mobile, and in a couple of clients (Gmail, Apple Mail, Outlook). Each renders HTML slightly differently.

  • Click every link.

  • Check that personalization tags (like first name) populate correctly.

For ongoing optimization, A/B test one variable at a time — subject line, hero image, or CTA copy — and let the data tell you what your supporters respond to.

Additional reading

For deeper guidance on email design fundamentals, you can explore the resources directly at BeeFree email editor.