Use a custom HTML email template
Use this guide if you want full control over the restock email's markup instead of the standard heading, description, and button fields. By the end, your own HTML controls the entire email body, populated with the customer's and product's details.
This article covers the custom HTML option inside the standard STOQ email template. For the standard fields (heading, description, button, colors), see Customize the back in stock email notification.
Before you begin
A custom HTML template requires a paid plan. The Use HTML template checkbox is disabled with an upgrade prompt on the free plan.
What customers will see
Your HTML fully replaces the standard heading, description, button, and colors for that notification's email body. The subject line still comes from the Subject field on the Standard tab, not from your HTML. The email is still sent through STOQ's regular delivery, so it's translated automatically the same way the standard template is if you have multi-language support enabled.
Set it up
Open the email content editor
- In the left menu bar of the STOQ app, click Back in stock alerts.
- Click the Settings tab.
- Open the Notifications sub-tab.
- Under the notification sequence, select the first notification (sent when the product restocks) or a reminder notification if you've set one up.
- Choose Email template.
- In the editor's icon sidebar, open Content.
Switch to the Custom HTML tab
At the top of the Content panel, click the Custom HTML tab.
Turn on Use HTML template
Switch on the Use HTML template checkbox. This enables the Email template field below it and replaces the standard fields as the source of the email body.
Write your HTML
Enter your markup in the Email template field. To insert a placeholder for customer or product data, place your cursor where you want it and click Variables next to the field's label, then click a variable to add it, such as product title, price, checkout link, or customer name.
Save your changes
Click Save to publish your template.
Check your setup
Custom HTML templates have no live preview and no test-email button. The preview panel just shows "No preview available for custom HTML templates." To see the real email, sign up for one of your own out-of-stock products and send yourself the alert from the waitlist:
Sign up on an out-of-stock product
On your storefront, open a product or variant that's out of stock and use its Notify me form to sign up with your own email address.
Send the alert to yourself from the waitlist
- In the left menu bar of the STOQ app, click Reports.
- Click the Back in stock tab, then open Current waitlist.
- Find your signup and click Send on its row. STOQ sends you the alert using your custom HTML.
Check formatting on a real device
Open the email on both desktop and mobile to confirm your markup renders as expected across clients.
Troubleshooting
Use HTML template is disabled
This feature requires a paid plan. Upgrade to unlock the checkbox.
I don't see the Custom HTML tab
The tab only appears on the standard email template. If you're sending this alert through a third-party platform such as Klaviyo or Shopify Flow, the email design is managed in that platform instead. See Back in Stock Email Delivery Channels.
A variable shows the raw placeholder instead of real data
Double-check the variable was inserted with the Variables button rather than typed by hand, so the exact placeholder syntax matches.
FAQ
Can I switch back to the standard fields later?
Yes. Turn off Use HTML template and the email reverts to using the standard heading, description, button, and color fields.
Does the custom HTML replace the subject line too?
No. The Subject field on the Standard tab still controls the subject line customers see in their inbox, even when the HTML template is turned on.
How do I preview or test my custom HTML?
Custom HTML templates aren't rendered in the live preview panel, and there's no test-email button for them. To check the real result, sign up for one of your own out-of-stock products, then send yourself the alert from Reports → Back in stock → Current waitlist by clicking Send on your signup.
Can I use this for reminder notifications too?
Yes. Each notification in your sequence has its own separate template, so you can turn on the custom HTML template for one notification and keep the standard fields on another.
