Definition
A preformatted email layout in Salesforce that can include merge fields, letterheads, and formatting to standardize outgoing communications sent through workflows, approval processes, or manual actions.
Real-World Example
When a demand generation specialist at Pulse Digital needs to streamline operations, they turn to Email Template to connect their marketing efforts directly to revenue outcomes. By implementing Email Template, they track which campaigns generate the most qualified leads and the highest conversion rates, allowing them to double down on what works and cut what does not.
Why Email Template Matters
An Email Template in Salesforce is a preformatted email layout that includes merge fields (which insert record data into the email), letterheads (branded headers and footers), and formatting (HTML or plain text). Templates standardize outgoing communications and let users send personalized emails quickly without retyping content. They're used by Email Alerts in automation, approval request emails, manual emails sent from records, and other email-sending features.
Email Templates come in several types: Classic Email Templates (the older format, supporting text, HTML, custom HTML, and Visualforce variants), Lightning Email Templates (the modern format, with a richer editor and better mobile support), and Marketing Cloud email templates (a separate concept with their own structure). For most modern Salesforce work, Lightning Email Templates are the right choice. Good templates significantly improve outgoing communication quality and consistency, especially for high-volume scenarios like sales follow-ups and customer service responses.
How Organizations Use Email Template
- •Cobalt Ventures — Built a library of Lightning Email Templates for their sales team covering common scenarios (intro, follow-up, proposal, closing). Reps personalize and send in seconds instead of writing from scratch.
- •NovaScale — Uses Email Templates with merge fields throughout their automation workflows so notifications include relevant record context automatically.
- •Vertex Global — Standardized on Lightning Email Templates after migrating from Classic. The richer editor and mobile support produced better-looking emails.