Beginner
How to set up visual automations on ConvertKit
Quick Answer
Visual automations in ConvertKit are created through the Automations section where you can drag and drop triggers, actions, and conditions to build email sequences. Start by selecting a trigger (like form subscription), then add actions like sending emails or applying tags to create your automated workflow.
Prerequisites
- Active ConvertKit account
- At least one form or landing page created
- Email sequence or tags prepared
- Basic understanding of email marketing workflows
1
Access the Visual Automations Builder
Navigate to your ConvertKit dashboard and click on Automations in the left sidebar. Click the + New Automation button in the top right corner, then select Start from scratch to open the visual automation builder.
Tip
You can also choose from pre-built templates if you're just getting started with automations.
2
Add Your Automation Trigger
Click the + Add Trigger button in the center of the canvas. Select your desired trigger type such as
Subscribes to a form, Purchases a product, or Is tagged. Configure the specific trigger settings, like choosing which form will start the automation.Tip
Choose triggers that align with specific subscriber actions to ensure your automation is relevant and timely.
3
Add Your First Action
Click the + button below your trigger to add an action. Select Send email to create an email action, then choose an existing email from your library or click Create new email. Configure the email settings including subject line, sender name, and content.
Tip
Use merge tags like {{first_name}} to personalize your automated emails for better engagement.
4
Set Up Email Delays and Timing
Click on the connection line between elements to add a Wait step. Choose your delay timing such as
Wait 1 day, Wait 3 days, or set a specific time. You can also add conditions like Wait until specific day of week for optimal send times.Tip
Test different delay timings to find what works best for your audience engagement rates.
5
Add Conditional Logic and Branching
Click the + button and select Add condition to create branching paths. Set up conditions like
Has tag, Clicked link in email, or Opened email. This splits your automation into different paths based on subscriber behavior.Tip
Use conditions to segment subscribers based on engagement and send more targeted follow-up content.
6
Configure Tags and Subscriber Management
Add Apply tag actions throughout your automation to organize subscribers. Click + Add action and select Add tag, then create or select existing tags. This helps you track where subscribers are in your automation and segment them for future campaigns.
Tip
Create descriptive tag names like 'automation-welcome-completed' to easily identify subscriber status.
7
Test and Activate Your Automation
Click Save in the top right corner to save your automation. Use the Test button to preview your automation flow and check for any errors. Once satisfied, toggle the automation status to Live to activate it for new subscribers.
Tip
Always test your automation with a test email address before making it live to catch any issues.
Troubleshooting
Automation isn't triggering for new subscribers
Check that your automation is set to
Live status and verify that the trigger form or tag is correctly configured. Also ensure the trigger conditions match exactly what subscribers are doing.Emails are not sending at the right time delays
Review your Wait step configurations and check your account timezone settings under Account Settings. Verify that delay conditions like 'specific day of week' aren't blocking sends.
Subscribers are getting stuck in conditional branches
Add fallback paths to your conditions by creating an
Everyone else branch. This ensures all subscribers continue through your automation even if they don't meet specific conditions.Automation canvas won't save or load properly
Clear your browser cache and refresh the page. If issues persist, try using an incognito window or different browser. Complex automations with many elements may need to be simplified or split into multiple automations.
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