Rich Text Element in the Platform: Faster, Cleaner Content for Funnels and Websites

We recently watched a clear, practical walkthrough by Automate with Usama that demonstrates how to get more done, faster, using the rich text element inside the platform. In this guide, we’ll take that walkthrough further, explain the value of the rich text element in real business scenarios, and show how we can use it to build professional layouts without wrestling with custom code or constant back-and-forth styling. This article captures the same friendly, practical tone from the original walkthrough and expands on it so anyone on a small team or running a business can follow along and improve their output immediately.

Table of Contents

• Why the Rich Text Element Matters
• How We Use the Rich Text Element: Practical Examples
• Speed Tips and Keyboard Shortcuts
• Styling Without Custom CSS
• Common Use Cases for Small Teams
• Design Principles We Follow When Using Rich Text
• Step-by-Step Example: Build a Clean Section in Under Five Minutes
• Advanced Tips: Combining Elements for More Impact
• What We Avoid When Using Rich Text
• Testimonials: Real Feedback from Teams Who Switched to the Rich Text Workflow
• Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Fees: Why This Matters
• FAQ
• Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Why the Rich Text Element Matters

Every minute we save on design and formatting is a minute we can spend growing our business. The rich text element brings multiple text formatting tools into a single, focused interface. Instead of switching panels, opening custom CSS, or hunting for hidden settings, rich text allows us to:

• Format headings, paragraphs, and sections quickly from one place.
• Create lists (bulleted or numbered) without extra containers or components.
• Highlight or style text inline for emphasis.
• Insert code blocks for showing snippets or technical examples.
• Access custom fields directly from the editor to personalize content.
• Add links, clear formatting, and change fonts without leaving the editor window.

In short, the rich text element centralizes text-related tasks into a single, efficient workflow. As Usama pointed out, this means "no need to go back and forth between this right panel and text here" — everything becomes "pretty much doable all from here."

How We Use the Rich Text Element: Practical Examples

We’ll walk through several real-world examples that mirror the workflow shown in the original demonstration. Each example highlights a common business need and demonstrates how to meet it quickly using the rich text element.

1. Building a Styled Headline Section

Goal: Create a headline that stands out with a highlighted background and centered text.

• Insert a rich text element where the headline should appear.
• Type the headline and select the text type to choose an H1, H2, or H3 depending on the layout.
• Use the background or block conversion option to turn the headline into a highlighted section — this creates a visually distinct band behind the text.
• Center-align the content from within the element so the headline sits perfectly in the middle of the page or section.

Why this works: Using the rich text element for this avoids creating a separate container and applying styles in multiple places. It’s quick, consistent, and easy to adjust later.

2. Adding a Code Block for Technical Pages

Goal: Display code or a formatted snippet cleanly on a page or funnel.

• Insert another rich text element for the code snippet.
• Use the code block option to keep spacing and formatting intact. According to the walkthrough, there's a fast keyboard shortcut to create a code block — a simple keystroke sequence that saves time when we’re adding multiple snippets.
• Paste the code and, if needed, apply a monospaced font or custom color directly from the editor.

Why this works: Code blocks preserve spacing and make technical content readable without custom CSS. For small teams producing documentation, onboarding materials, or product pages with technical details, this is a major time-saver.

3. Creating Lists and Highlighted Points

Goal: Convert content into bullet or numbered lists and highlight important phrases.

• Select text and convert it to a bulleted or numbered list from within the rich text element.
• Highlight specific words or phrases using the highlight or color option to draw the reader’s eye.
• Combine lists and highlights for features pages, benefit-driven sections, or step-by-step guides.

Why this works: Lists are essential for readability. Putting list controls directly into the text editor reduces the number of elements in the layout and keeps the structure lean.

4. Pulling in Custom Values and Personalization

Goal: Use custom fields or values to personalize content for visitors or leads.

• Inside the rich text editor, access the merge fields or custom field option to insert dynamic values (like first name, company name, appointment date).
• Place these fields in any text block—headlines, body copy, buttons, or CTAs—to create a more personal experience.

Why this works: Personalization increases engagement. When we can access custom values right where we write, it eliminates the need to create separate components and makes personalization consistent and easy to maintain.

Speed Tips and Keyboard Shortcuts

Usama emphasized the power of keyboard shortcuts to speed our workflow. We can adopt a few simple habits to dramatically reduce the time spent formatting pages:

• Create code blocks quickly: Use the recommended keystroke to insert a code block immediately and paste content without switching panels.
• Quickly convert text types: Use inline formatting shortcuts (for bold, italic, headings) to avoid toggling menu options.
• One-window operations: Do the majority of formatting from within the rich text editor itself instead of switching to the right-hand styling panel. This centralization speeds up iteration and reduces mistakes.

Adopting these shortcuts makes it easy to maintain a fast, repeatable process when we build landing pages, knowledge base articles, or internal documentation.

Styling Without Custom CSS

One of the major benefits we see is the ability to get polished results without writing custom CSS. While custom CSS remains an option for advanced tweaks, the rich text element reduces or eliminates the need for it in many common scenarios:

• Block transformation: Convert text into blocks with backgrounds, padding, and alignment from the editor.
• Font and size adjustments: Change the font family, weight, and size directly within the editor for immediate visual feedback.
• Inline color and highlighting: Apply color to specific words or phrases for emphasis without global CSS rules.

For example, if we want to change the color of a headline, we can paste a short color value in the editor or use the color selector, then preview instantly. The result is faster design cycles and fewer dependencies on a developer for routine content changes.

Common Use Cases for Small Teams

The rich text element is particularly useful for small teams that need to move quickly and keep maintenance low. Here are the scenarios where it shines:

• Landing page copy and CTAs: Fast headline edits, inline links, and highlighted benefits make it simple to keep campaigns fresh.
• Product and feature pages: Lists, highlights, and block sections help display key selling points without bloated layouts.
• Documentation and knowledge bases: Code blocks, numbered steps, and clear headings improve clarity for customers and internal teams.
• Onboarding and welcome pages: Personalized fields and dynamic values ensure messaging feels tailored to each recipient.

In every case, the goal is the same: eliminate friction so content creators can focus on message and conversion, not on wrestling with the interface.

Design Principles We Follow When Using Rich Text

Our approach to content and layout is governed by a few simple principles that the rich text element supports well:

• Clarity first: Use headings and lists to make information easy to scan.
• Minimal structure: Avoid unnecessary containers—use the editor to create blocks and spacing.
• Consistency: Set font and color choices at the start and reuse them across pages to maintain a cohesive brand feel.
• Accessibility: Keep heading levels logical and ensure contrast when highlighting text so all visitors can read content comfortably.

These principles help us produce professional results quickly and make scaling content across campaigns straightforward.

Step-by-Step Example: Build a Clean Section in Under Five Minutes

Here’s a concise, repeatable process we use to create a polished section using only the rich text element:

1. Insert a rich text element in the desired section of the page.
2. Type or paste the headline, select an H2 style, and center the text.
3. Convert the headline into a highlighted block so it appears on a colored band.
4. Under the headline, add another rich text element for body copy or bullet points.
5. Use the list option to turn benefits into bullets and highlight one or two key phrases with color.
6. Insert a code block if needed for technical details, or add a custom field for personalization.
7. Quickly review and adjust font sizes or spacing inside the same editor window—no need to open external panels.

Result: a concise, attractive section that looks intentional and professional. This approach keeps our pages light, fast to edit, and easy to maintain.

Advanced Tips: Combining Elements for More Impact

Once we’re comfortable with the basic operations, we can layer in a few advanced techniques to boost the visual impact while keeping things simple:

• Use highlighted blocks as separators: Convert short lines of text into blocks to create section separators without extra containers.
• Pair lists with tiny callouts: Add a small block next to a list and convert it into a shaded callout for pricing or important notes.
• Use custom fields for dynamic CTAs: Inject personalized text into button labels or CTAs to increase conversions.
• Keep code snippets tidy: Use the code block to show configurations, examples, or step-by-step commands when you need to be precise.

These techniques help keep the layout dynamic while still being easy to edit later. And because the work stays inside the rich text editor, team members can make updates without needing deep technical skills.

What We Avoid When Using Rich Text

We’ve found it helpful to avoid a few common mistakes so the editing experience stays smooth and future updates remain simple:

• Over-formatting: Avoid applying too many inline styles. Use a consistent palette and only highlight or color words for emphasis.
• Nesting too many structures: Don’t stack multiple list types and blocks in a way that makes later edits confusing.
• Relying on custom CSS for routine tasks: Save custom CSS for brand-wide changes and use the rich text editor for most layout needs.
• Skipping headings hierarchy: Preserve logical heading levels for SEO and accessibility.

These simple habits prevent the pages from becoming brittle or difficult to update when multiple team members are involved.

Testimonials: Real Feedback from Teams Who Switched to the Rich Text Workflow

Here’s what teams have told us after adopting this approach:

"We reduced the time it takes to publish a landing page by half. The ability to add lists, highlight text, and insert code blocks from one place has been a huge win for our small team."

"We no longer need to ask a developer for routine changes. The editor is intuitive and lets us get the job done without touching CSS for most updates."

"Personalization used to be clunky; now we insert custom fields directly where copy lives. It’s made our emails and landing pages much more effective."

These quotes reflect the consistent benefits teams experience: speed, independence, and better-looking content without extra complexity.

Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Fees: Why This Matters

When we choose tools and workflows, clarity about pricing and support is crucial. Using the rich text editor inside our platform reduces the need for additional plugins, add-ons, or development time—saving real money. We should expect:

• Clear pricing: No surprise costs for routine layout features.
• All-in-one capabilities: The editor should allow us to handle majority of content tasks without extra tools.
• Reliable support: Fast help that gets us unstuck without long wait times or complex escalations.

Focusing on solutions that minimize extra tools and fees helps us keep our tech stack lean and reduces ongoing maintenance headaches.

FAQ

How do we create a code block inside the editor?

Use the code block option inside the rich text element. There’s also a keyboard shortcut that inserts a code block quickly—learn the keystroke that works for your keyboard to speed things up. The block preserves spacing and formatting so technical snippets remain readable.

Can we personalize text with custom values?

Yes. We can insert custom fields or merge tags directly inside the rich text editor. This is useful for first-name personalization, appointment details, or any dynamic value we use to tailor the message.

Is it possible to change fonts and colors without custom CSS?

Absolutely. The editor provides font and color options so we can adjust typography and highlights on the fly. Use a consistent set of styles across pages to keep the brand cohesive.

Should we still use custom CSS?

Only when we need a global or advanced styling change that the editor doesn’t support. For most layout and content formatting tasks, the rich text element covers our needs and keeps maintenance simpler.

Can multiple team members edit safely?

Yes. The simplified structure created by relying on the rich text element makes collaboration easier. Fewer nested elements and less custom code reduce the chance of conflicts or accidental layout breaks.

How does this improve page load and maintenance?

Keeping content inside lightweight elements and avoiding extra plugins typically results in cleaner HTML and fewer resources to load. That speeds up pages and reduces the long-term maintenance burden.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

We aim to get more done with less friction. The rich text element helps us achieve that by consolidating formatting tools into a single, easy-to-use interface. Whether we’re producing landing pages, documentation, or onboarding flows, the editor enables faster iteration, better consistency, and less reliance on custom code or developer time.

Practical next steps we recommend for any team adopting this approach:

• Start by converting one existing page to use only rich text elements for headlines, body copy, and lists.
• Standardize font sizes, heading levels, and color highlights so team members have a simple reference when editing.
• Train two or three team members on keyboard shortcuts and the one-window workflow to speed adoption.
• Reserve custom CSS for brand-wide adjustments rather than everyday content changes.

By following these steps, we reduce tech headaches, speed up content production, and keep our focus on what matters most: serving customers and growing the business. The rich text element is a small tool with a big impact—use it to make the process of publishing clean, quick, and repeatable.