To the normal user, email has remained relatively stable in its function and design for, well, all of email history. Despite the transaction of more digital mail than ever, email interfaces haven’t evolved in the ways that other technology and applications have in the digital revolution.
In recent years, alternative messaging applications have given email users an often simpler, more efficient way to talk with others. Email on the other hand has remained relatively unchanged, despite the occasional calls for re-invention. Sure, there have been some updates to platforms and software, but at the end of the day, not much has changed about emails and how we access them.
There are two primary reasons behind the lack of change to email interface. First, email panes were designed for users to be able to do a quick scan of their inbox, and any changes to this design could drastically alter the user experience. If anything has changed over the years, it’s how users sort/read their inbox of emails. As we become more inundated with messages, we’re more selective about what we open, making it the sender’s responsibility to make the email enticing enough to read!
Second, unlike many other messaging apps and channels, email is a digital tool that is used by people of all ages. Because so many jobs require its employees to use email, it’s a familiar tool to a majority of demographics across the country. While some email providers have added bells and whistles to distinguish their platform against competitors, standard functionality, security, and organizational tools are worth their weight in gold to the everyday user.
Not surprisingly, for the exact reasons email remains relatively unchanged, it remains dominate as a marketing channel for communicating effectively with peers and colleagues. Why? Because everyone understands email and know exactly how to interact with it.
So does it need a facelift?
Bottom line, the answer is no. It really seems there is no need to fix email– and disrupt millions of users – because it really isn’t broken in the first place.
Let ResponseGenius help take your email marketing to the next level – hello@responsegenius.com
