Hi,
I am using php/mysql to generate email newsletters for my clients. Currently, a user selects a pre-made email template then uses a WYSIWYG editor to add their images/text. I would like to develop a nicer interface for this. I would also like to have better control over the end result. Meaning less choices for the user during the editing process.
I thought using flash would be ideal because we can create a nice, intuitve system and totally control the look of the template. The thinking is that a user can select a template, select a color combo, then select what they want the interior part of the email to look like. They can upload images, add text, even rearrange the way it looks. The problem is that I still have to write the actual html for the email after they have finalized it. It is a real hang up and delays the process.
Does any one have some ideas on a better solution? I would love it if the client could do all their template editing and then continue on to finish the process. But email is very limited and the html has to be very basic.
I thought about using jpeg encoder to take a snapshot of the final template and just email that but this is bad for spam filters.
Can as3 write html code? Maybe I should break the system up into more pieces that can pass vars back and forth to php. Sort of like building both a graphic representation in flash and an actual html version behind the scenes in php.
Perhaps I should consider trying to use ajax to accomplish the same thing?
Suggestions?
Some similar products are constantContact, iContact and MailChimp.
