When it comes to designing for mobile, we all know how useful Mailchimp’s mobile preview feature is. It lets you test your email’s appearance on mobile devices.

But did you know you can now edit and customise your email design directly in mobile view?

Yes, really…

You can adjust your email layout, modify content, and refine

design elements all while in mobile mode.

And the best part?

You can now also create different versions of content for mobile and desktop —so your emails look perfect, no matter the device.

More on that later…

Why This Matters

Previously, you would design your emails and then check their mobile appearance afterward.
Now, you can design in real-time within the mobile view, ensuring your emails are optimised for smaller screens from the very beginning.

This means you have:

– Complete control over font sizes, image placements, button locations, and more
– Enhanced readability and navigation for mobile users
– Emails that are easier to skim, resulting in higher open and click-through rates
– More effective calls to action that really pop on mobile devices.

How to Use Mobile Editing in Mailchimp

This feature is rolling out now across accounts.

• Open Your Campaign
• Log into Mailchimp and go to Campaigns
• Select the email you want to edit
• Switch to Mobile View
• In the email editor, look for the Mobile Preview icon (usually a phone symbol)
• Click it to switch to mobile mode
• Edit Directly in Mobile View
  Click on any section to adjust fonts, images, button sizes, and spacing specifically for mobile
  Drag and drop elements to improve the mobile experience
  Test Your Changes
  Use Mailchimp’s preview tool to see how your email looks on different devices
  Send a test email to your phone to check real-world formatting
  Save and Send
  Once happy with the mobile layout, save your changes and send or schedule your email.

 Customising Content for Mobile and Desktop

You have the option to tailor content for either mobile or desktop devices. This allows you to display or conceal various elements based on the device being used, providing a smooth experience across different screens.

Brilliant, right?

How to Customise Content Blocks in Mailchimp

• Open Your Email Campaign
• Log into Mailchimp and go to your Campaigns section
• Select the email you want to edit
• Select a Content Block to Customise
• Click on any text, image, button, or layout block in your email editor
• Adjust Visibility Settings
• Look for the “Link desktop and mobile styles” option in the content block settings
• Enable or disable depending on whether you want styles to match or Optimise the Layout for Each View
• For Mobile: Use a single-column layout, larger text, and bigger buttons
• For Desktop: Keep a multi-column layout, detailed visuals, and additional content
• Preview and Test
• Use Mailchimp’s preview mode to switch between mobile and desktop views
• Send a test email to different devices to ensure everything looks right

Why Mobile-Optimised Emails Matter

Most emails are opened on mobile. Studies show that over 50% of emails are read on a phone. If your design isn’t mobile-friendly, you are losing engagement.

Certain features that function well on desktop, such as multi-column designs, may not work effectively on mobile screens.

Additionally, mobile users tend to skim content instead of reading it thoroughly. If your email isn’t easy to scan, recipients may quickly lose interest.

And poor formatting means missed opportunities. Tiny buttons, unreadable text, or slow-loading images could cost you clicks and conversions.

Mobile vs. Desktop – Which is Best for Email Design?

Short answer? Design for mobile first.
Yes, you should always prioritise mobile. Design for mobile first, then tweak for desktop—not the other way around.

Mobile is the Priority
With over half of all emails being opened on mobile devices, it’s clear that people are checking their emails while on the move, often with limited attention spans. A poor mobile design can lead to decreased engagement and lost conversions.

But Desktop Still Matters

Some industries—like B2B, finance, and tech—still see high desktop open rates. Desktop users have more time to engage with longer content, and the larger screen allows for more design flexibility. Basically if you do have high desktop open rates and your design is desktop focused then that should be your priority.

The Best Approach?

Start with a mobile-first design—single-column layout, big buttons, readable text
Optimise for desktop—enhance images, spacing, and structure where needed
Test on both—Mailchimp’s preview tools ensure your emails look good everywhere
If you design for desktop first, your email may not work well on mobile. But if you design for mobile first, it will still look good on desktop. Mobile wins.

Five Key Factors for Mobile-First Email Design in Mailchimp

Single-Column Layout
Why? Mobile screens are narrow, and multi-column layouts often break or shrink too much.
Solution: Stick to a simple, single-column design that scales properly across devices.

Readable Text and Fonts
Why? Small text is hard to read on mobile, and users will not zoom in.
Solution: Use at least 14px-16px for body text and 22px+ for headings. Keep paragraphs short.

Touch-Friendly CTAs
Why? Tiny buttons or links make tapping frustrating.
Solution: Buttons should be at least 44x44px for easy clicking. Use high-contrast colours so they stand out.

Optimised Images
Why? Large images slow down loading, and text-heavy images do not scale well.
Solution: Use compressed images. Keep text minimal inside images—use live text whenever possible.

Test Before Sending
Why? What looks great on desktop may be unreadable on mobile.
Solution: Use Mailchimp’s mobile preview and send test emails to your phone. Check different devices.

Final Thoughts

Mobile-first email design is not just a trend—it is the way forward.
Thanks to Mailchimp’s latest mobile editing feature, you can now create your emails with mobile users in mind right from the beginning. No more adjusting a desktop layout and crossing your fingers that it translates well to smaller screens. You have the power to ensure your emails are visually appealing, easy to read, and encourage engagement, regardless of the device your audience uses.
So, start optimising and make every pixel count.