--- title: Email Builder date: 2020-06-25T20:32:08Z modified: 2026-04-02T18:37:11Z permalink: "https://www.contactmonkey.com/features/email-template-builder" type: page status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 38039 categories: - Features parent: 20662 ancestors: - 20662 children: [] author: Peter Wong --- ###### EMAIL TEMPLATE BUILDER # The email template builder Outlook is missing Transform Outlook or Gmail into a drag-and-drop platform for engaging, measurable internal communications. [ ![Tour the platform](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6282300/interactive-205067537539.png) ](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIBP5lqRkBOPLQsbq%2BaZq%2F7p1M46GLR8cZhEHOPjwoVzQwF5WGxA0zXs2IupdaRsW%2BVNwvXaB4XROor07QFimsyvef4c0XRFhj%2FPXP%2F7ncdWKDOGb9a8PoCcQa0mbJ5cPEfSHv%2BeOD0aJZcJnqdr%2FzopvDnThGDrmplXbY9Bo8rh0IbT18skb%2FbLHUV%2FA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=198693792382&portalId=6282300) ## Why use a modern email template builder for internal comms ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CM-in-Action-Thumbnail.png "CM in Action Thumbnail") Outlook and Gmail were designed for basic copy, not engaging, branded internal communications. If you’re still using them to build internal emails, you’re battling: Manual formatting that breaks across devices. No drag-and-drop design tools. No branding control or layout flexibility. No way to embed surveys, videos, or dynamic content. No analytics, no engagement insights, just a guessing game. ## The best email template builder for Outlook and Gmail Create branded, responsive internal emails in just a few clicks with a platform built for internal comms teams, not coders. #### Drag & drop email builder Save time and never start an email from scratch again. #### Dynamic content Personalize one email for many audiences. #### Edit sent links Update emails without resending. #### Custom branding Keep every email consistently on-brand. #### Multimedia email enhancements Add visual engagement that drives clicks. #### Lockable branding elements Protect your brand in every send. #### [](https://www.contactmonkey.com/solutions/analytics)Add surveys and feedback tools Turn every email into a two-way conversation. #### [](https://www.contactmonkey.com/features/multi-language-emails)AI workflow assistant Move faster from draft to delivery, without burning out. #### [](https://www.contactmonkey.com/blog/product-updates-may-2025#:~:text=Step%201%3A%20Send%20your%20email,and%20click%20the%20%E2%9C%8F%EF%B8%8F%20icon)Email template gallery Build faster with ready-to-use, on-brand templates. #### [](https://www.contactmonkey.com/features/bulk-internal-email)Company event sections Promote events and track RSVPs with ease. #### Real-time collaboration Co-edit emails without stepping on toes. #### Inbox integration with Outlook and Gmail Create and send emails without switching platforms. #### Ghostwriting and send as permissions Create and send emails on behalf of leaders or teams. #### Personalization through merge tags Add personal touches automatically. #### Web app access Work from anywhere without missing a beat. #### Accessibility checker Ensure every employee can read your emails. #### “Before Contact Monkey, we had nothing. We had no benchmark. We had no idea what messaging was getting to our employees, how they were best receiving it. We had very limited two-way feedback loops.” Jerilyn Hall Employee Communications Manager [Read the story](https://www.contactmonkey.com/customer/mustang-cat-used-contactmonkey-to-drive-culture) 40–50% of deskless workforce now reached ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Jerilyn-Hall.png "Jerilyn Hall") Watch video #### “\[ContactMonkey\] really does allow our teams to be creative, but also provides the analytics to make sure we’re doing the right things.” Jeremy Roberts Sr. Manager of Communications, Go-To-Market & Incentives [Read the story](https://www.contactmonkey.com/customer/freedom-mobile-boosted-internal-comms-metrics) 40% read rate boost 15% higher open rates ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Jermey_Freedom-Mobile-1.png "Jermey_Freedom Mobile 1") Watch video #### “ContactMonkey’s Dynamic Content tool saves me hours. I no longer need to copy, paste, or duplicate emails. It saves time, brain space, and prevents duplication errors.” Emily-Rose Carr Internal Communications Specialist [Read the story](https://www.contactmonkey.com/customer/seek-outperforms-benchmarks-with-contactmonkey) ~60% open rates ~19% click rates ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emily-Rose-Carr_Seek-2.png "Emily-Rose Carr_Seek 2") Watch video #### With dynamic content, I can build one email with multiple blocks, with each block tailored to a group. I’m not duplicating emails or copy/pasting. It saves time and reduces mistakes. James Maiden Sr. Manager of Communications, Go-To-Market & Incentives [Read the story](https://www.contactmonkey.com/customer/mccowngordon-dynamic-content-feature) 5x faster email creation ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/James_Maiden_McCownGordon-3.png "James_Maiden_McCownGordon 3") Watch video #### “Data helps drive informed decision-making. With appropriate feedback, we’re now able to analyze and change our strategy.” Lindsey Champagne Director of Communications and PR [Read the story](https://www.contactmonkey.com/customer/certapros-13-average-click-rate) 13% average click rate ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Lindsey-Champagne-_CertaPros-Painters-2.png "Lindsey-Champagne-_CertaPros Painters 2") ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Flagger-Force_logo-white-1.png "Flagger Force_logo-white 1") #### “Our team’s efficiency was slowed down by the lack of sophistication of our previous tool. And we knew employees weren’t getting the information—they were flagging it as phishing.” Tamara Palmer Employee Engagement & Internal Communications Lead [Read the story](https://www.contactmonkey.com/customer/flagger-force-boosting-open-rates) ![](https://www.contactmonkey.com/cm_wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tamara-palmer_Flagger-Force-1.png "tamara-palmer_Flagger Force 1") ### Frequently asked questions ******How can I see who’s actually opening and reading my internal emails?****** With ContactMonkey’s built-in analytics, you can track opens, clicks, read time, device usage, and even individual engagement (when enabled). All your data is available whether you’re using the Outlook add-in, Gmail add-on, web app, or desktop app, so you always know what’s landing and where to improve. **********How can I access ContactMonkey? Do I have to use it inside Outlook or Gmail?********** No, you choose the workflow that works best for you. ContactMonkey can be used: - **Directly inside Outlook or Gmail** with our add-in/add-on for seamless, in-inbox creation and sending. - **As a desktop app** for a dedicated, full-screen workspace. - **Via the web app** from any browser, anywhere. No downloads required! No matter how you access it, you get the same powerful features: drag-and-drop email template builder, dynamic content, embedded surveys, real-time collaboration, detailed analytics, and more. **********Building emails in Outlook or Gmail takes too long—how does this save time?********** Yes. ContactMonkey gives you real-time, presentation-ready reports showing open rates, click-throughs, read time, and survey responses, no matter which version of the platform you use. You can benchmark performance over time and share measurable results with leadership to prove ROI. **************Leadership wants hard numbers, can I prove my internal emails are working?************** Yes. ContactMonkey gives you real-time, presentation-ready reports showing open rates, click-throughs, read time, and survey responses, no matter which version of the platform you use. You can benchmark performance over time and share measurable results with leadership to prove ROI. **********What if I find a mistake after sending an email?********** With our Edit Sent Links feature, you can fix hyperlinks after sending, no resends, no confusion. This works whether you send through the Outlook or Gmail integration, or from the desktop app. Internal comms built for today’s workplace ## Transform how employees experience internal communications Your people want clarity, recognition and a voice. Deliver this with ContactMonkey. [Book a demo](https://www.contactmonkey.com/internal-comms-demo) ## Topics **Categories:** [Features](https://www.contactmonkey.com/blog/category/features)