5. Build your first interactive email
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Understand the two parts of a Zaymo email
Each interactive email template has two versions baked into one Klaviyo template: the interactive version and the non-interactive version. The interactive version will render in ~80% of inboxes, but for the remaining 20% (mostly Hotmail and Outlook), Zaymo displays magic link content.
Steps to create an interactive email
Design a non-interactive email in Klaviyo
Import to Zaymo from Klaviyo
Edit the interactive version
Preview/test
Export to Klaviyo
1. Design non-interactive email in Klaviyo
First, create a production-ready email in Klaviyo. Zaymo's editor is currently not as robust as Klaviyo's for email creation and formatting, so completing your base design work in Klaviyo first will save time and ensure better results.
Additional changes can be made to both the interactive and non-interactive (fallback) version in Zaymo's editor, but it's easiest to start from a complete (or nearly complete) fallback template.
It can be different to design two versions of one email at once. While Zaymo works with most emails, the best Zaymo emails are designed with Zaymo in mind from the beginning. Below are some tips:
Special design best practices
Make it easy to delete content you plan on replacing with a Zaymo block. If your email is image-based, this means slicing the images around a CTA like "manage my subscription"
Design for the Zaymo block to be in the fold. This is even more important than a normal email, and some of the worst-performing Zaymo emails were originally designed with click-throughs in mind, and the Zaymo block was added near the footer as an afterthought
2. Import to Zaymo from Klaviyo
How you do this depends on where the email lives in Klaviyo.
If it's already in a Klaviyo flow or campaign (the most common case): open Flows or Campaigns from the left sidebar in Zaymo, click into the one you're working on, and find the message you want to add Zaymo to. Click Convert on that message. Zaymo turns it into an editable template for you automatically - there's nothing to import or refresh separately, and once it's converted you'll see an Edit button there instead, which takes you straight into the builder.
If you just want to experiment with a standalone template, not attached to anything yet: go to Email templates, find the template you'd like to convert. Click on the 3 dots on the right side of the template, then click either create interactive version or clone.
3. Edit the interactive version
For your convenience, Zaymo makes a copy of the non-interactive version of the email as a starting point. Feel free to make any changes to this template knowing that the non-interactive version of the email is saved in the background. You can preview both versions side by side in a moment.
Delete CTAs that compete with the interactive block
Nothing can convert better than an in-email action powered by Zaymo. So, don't hurt your conversions by leaving competing CTAs left over from the non-interactive version of the email.
Insert Zaymo blocks
Drag any blocks you want to use from the left panel into the email. If the block is disabled, this either means it is not part of your current plan or you are missing a required integration.
To edit copy in the block, simply select the text by double clicking and edit it in line. To edit the design of the block or other settings, select the block as a whole. Selecting individual components inside the block will surface additional settings specific to those components.
Multiple blocks in one email: Be careful with using multiple Zaymo blocks in an email. Some setups, like multiple product blocks, work well. Other setups, like multiple reactivate or SMS capture blocks, will break the email. You will see the results in the previewer.
Configure block visibility
To show or hide blocks based on customer conditions, select the block and click "visibility" in the right-hand settings panel. Configure display logic rules to conditionally display content based on customer attributes or subscription status.
Understanding purchase options and customer experience:
Subscribers will see "Buy now" or "Add to order" buttons and can one-click add products to their subscription
Non-subscribers will see "Go to checkout" redirect links that take them to a checkout page with that product already in their cart
The purchase option you select ("add one time" vs "add to subscription") determines what happens when non-subscribers click the redirect link
Important: Ensure your products are configured correctly in Shopify to match your selected purchase option:
If using "add one time" - the product must be available for one-time purchases in Shopify
If using "add to subscription" - the product must have a selling plan configured in your subscription platform
If the product isn't configured properly, non-subscribers will encounter Shopify error messages when clicking "Go to checkout"
If you want non-subscribers to create a new subscription when clicking the redirect, use the "add to subscription" purchase option
For product blocks, click the block, go to Content, and click the plus sign next to Purchase options to add additional purchase options, allowing you to configure "add one time" or "add to subscription" for multiple products displayed in a grid.
Block library
Once you have created a block that you know you will reuse, save it to your library by clicking the bookmark. This will allow you to quickly drag the same block into future emails without the need to rebuild it. The same rules apply for using multiple saved blocks as mentioned previously.
Change copy
Make sure that the copy now makes sense with the interactive content. You may need to update text to say "make changes to your order below" instead of "click here to make changes to your order."
4. Preview/test
Before sending, skim through the three previewer options:
Apple
Gmail
Other
Gmail and Apple both use the interactive version. Fallback shows the non-interactive magic link version. Make sure that both the interactive and non-interactive versions look how you would expect.
Gmail AMP approval process
Interactive elements will only show the fallback version in Gmail until your sending domain receives AMP approval from Google:
Approval typically takes 5-10 business days
Zaymo automatically submits this application when you first connect Klaviyo to Zaymo
You can track your approval status in your Zaymo organization settings
Apple Mail works immediately - no approval required, so ~40% of users will see the interactive version right away
This approval process is a one-time requirement per sending domain. Once approved, all future interactive emails will work immediately in Gmail.
Testing strategy during the approval period
Send test emails to yourself in Apple Mail for the most accurate interactive testing experience
Consider sending your interactive emails live even while waiting for Gmail approval - there's no downside since the magic link version will display properly for Gmail users
Many users will still see the interactive version while you wait for Gmail's approval
What to expect during the 5-10 day approval period
Gmail users will only see the magic link version
Apple Mail users (~40% of users) will see the interactive version immediately
Other email clients will show their respective versions as normal
For detailed information about the approval process, see:
As long as you are using the Demo Profile setting (default setting), you can interact with the block as if you were a customer. This will not trigger any real actions.
To get more familiar with Zaymo's previewer, read this article:
5. Export to Klaviyo
If your message is attached to a Klaviyo flow: click Publish. The first time, this pushes it straight into the flow's message in Klaviyo - nothing further to do on the Klaviyo side. After that, Zaymo watches for changes and republishes automatically a few seconds after you stop editing, so you generally won't need to come back and push updates by hand.
If you're working from a standalone template, or a campaign: click Publish. Enter a Template Name and your Preview Text (this gets baked into the exported email - to change it later, update it here.
Important: Because Zaymo uses a dual-version system, the Klaviyo template editor and preview always show the fallback version, whereas sending a test email to Gmail or Apple Mail displays the interactive version. Review both versions in Zaymo's editor.
Exported templates are rendered as HTML files in Klaviyo, so Klaviyo's own template editor can't touch the interactive Zaymo content inside them. There's now a beta option to make small edits to the other portions of your email, like copy or image changes, directly in Klaviyo and sync them back into Zaymo without re-exporting - see if you want to try it. Otherwise, changes to the Zaymo block itself still happen in Zaymo, then get re-exported the same way as before.
Known limitations
Don't use Klaviyo's dynamic product feeds
Klaviyo dynamic product feeds only work in drag-and-drop templates in Klaviyo. Once a template is converted or imported into Zaymo, Klaviyo strips the dynamic product feed from it (read ).
Instead, just drag and drop the Zaymo block into the email and we'll make sure it is shown across email clients.
Implementation partners - email agencies
Zaymo is happy to hop on a 1-on-1 strategy/implementation call whenever you would like. However, for ongoing and high-touch help with creating Zaymo emails, it may be helpful to use an email agency that is familiar with Zaymo.
Reach out to your Zaymo rep if you would like an introduction to a certified partner that has experience with Zaymo email implementation.