Have you ever encountered a great article online and wanted to send it to others? Although there are several ways to do this task, the results vary. Sometimes the page looks close to the original and other times, only the words are the same. This is why it helps to know several methods for emailing web pages.

Method 1: Use your web browser to save the page

The solution many people first try their web browser. Most web browsers allow you to save any web page using an item from the File menu or right-clicking the page. From there, you’ll need to decide whether you want to save the HTML page or the complete page.

If you choose to save the complete web page, the browser will create a HTML file and a folder containing the support files. The support files include the images, JavaScript and CSS files. This option is good for people who are as interested in the page construction as they are in the page content.

A simpler option is to save the HTML file. This amounts to a single file, but often lacks the styling. It’s good for showing content.

Besides saving a complete page or HTML page, Internet Explorer has another option called Web Archive Single File that produces a .MHT file. The file looks close to your original page, but not all browsers support this file format. This option is great if you’re sending the web page to other Internet Explorer users.

In each of these scenarios, your browser creates one or more files that you’ll need to send as email attachments.

Method 2: Use Internet Explorer’s Send Page by Email

Microsoft must have recognized that people like to send web pages and not just URLs because they provide another option. This option opens your default email application and either places the web page into an email message or attaches the file for you. As example, with Microsoft Outlook it placed the webpage in the email message. This method is good for people that will read an email, but are less likely to open an attached file.

You can access this option by selecting File from the menu bar and then Send Page by Email.

Method 3: Convert the web page to PDF

Another method of sharing a web page is to convert it to a PDF file. One advantage is most everyone has a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader and can read the contents. And in many cases, the PDF output looks close to original page. The downside is none of the links work from the web page.

When it comes to converting web pages to PDF files, there are three methods. One is to install a browser add-on that can handle this for you. It will create the file, but you’ll need to attach the file in your email program. PDFDownload.Org has several free tools that can work with IE, Firefox, Flock and a bookmarklet for Google Chrome.

If you don’t want another browser add-on, the company provides an online version where you supply the web page address (URL) and the recipients’ email address.

Alternatively, there are desktop applications that can convert web pages to PDF files. These programs work with your web browser, but rely on the Print function. Rather than physically printing the file, it is sent to a special print driver that saves the file in the PDF format. These programs also work with other program file types and provide more options. An example of this type of program is novaPDF.

Method 4: EmailTheWeb.com

One solution that combines parts of the other solutions is EmailTheWeb.com. Like novaPDF, they have a selection of browser add-ons for Firefox, IE and Google Chrome. They also offer an online version. These free tools allow you to email 25 web pages a day either as inline content or as attached files.

The company also offers a premium product on a monthly subscription basis. This service allows you to archive content. The archive feature might come in handy if you routinely document your website or your competitors.

Method 5: Use TechSmith’s SnagIt

The most versatile solution is TechSmith’s SnagIt, which I’ve previously reviewed. If you’ve never tried this program, I would download the free 30-day trial to get acquainted. This program is perfect if you also need to annotate the web page. You can grab any portion of the web page or the entire page. It is the most expensive solution, but that’s because the program does much more than sending web pages as email.

Related Tutorials

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