CAMPAIGN DASHBOARD
Q: How often should I check my Campaign Dashboard?
A: We recommend checking your dashboard daily during active campaigns to ensure you're aware of real-time performance and can make data-driven adjustments.
Q: Can I customize which metrics are displayed on the Campaign Dashboard?
A: Yes, the Campaign Dashboard allows you to customize which KPIs are displayed, ensuring that you’re focusing on the most relevant metrics for your goals.
Q: What should I do if I notice a high unsubscribe rate?
A: If you see high unsubscribe rates, review your audience segmentation and campaign content. Ensure that your messaging is relevant and valuable to your audience.
Q: What is the Campaign Dashboard?
A: The Campaign Dashboard is the default page you see when you log into Experiture. From here, you can navigate to different areas of the platform such as Targets, Campaigns, Templates, and more.
SIDEBAR NAVIGATION
TARGETS
Q: How do I create a new segment in the TARGETS section?
A: In the TARGETS section, go to Audiences, where you can create a new segment by defining criteria such as demographics, behaviors, or purchase history.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Q: Can I manage opt-outs in Experiture?
A: Yes, in the Subscriptions section under TARGETS, you can manage customer opt-outs per communication channel, ensuring compliance with marketing regulations.
Q: What is an opted-out target?
A: An opted-out target is a contact who has chosen to stop receiving your communications, such as emails or SMS messages. This can happen when a contact unsubscribes from a mailing list or opts out of receiving communications through other channels.
Q: What is a suppressed domain?
A: A suppressed domain is a domain (e.g., "@example.com") that has been blocked from receiving any communications from your campaigns. This is often used when certain organizations or companies prevent communications to all email addresses within their domain.
Q: How do I upload a list of opted-out targets?
A: To upload a list of opted-out targets, follow these steps:
Navigate to the Opted-Out Targets tab.
Click the Upload Opted-Out/Suppressed Targets button.
Prepare a .CSV file with the email addresses or phone numbers of the contacts who have opted out.
Upload the file to ensure those contacts are added to your suppression list.
Q: What happens if I try to send a campaign to an opted-out target?
A: Experiture automatically blocks any messages from being sent to contacts that have opted out. This ensures that you remain compliant with privacy regulations such as GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and others, and it protects your sender reputation.
Q: Can I remove someone from the opted-out list?
A: No. Once a contact has opted out, you can not remove them from the opted-out list without explicit consent from the individual to start receiving communications again. Re-adding someone to your marketing lists without their consent can lead to legal issues and damage your brand reputation. Thus, we do not allow this within our system.
Q: How do I manage suppressed domains?
A: To manage suppressed domains:
Go to the Suppressed Domains tab.
You can upload a list of domains you want to block from receiving communications.
You can also manually add or remove domains from the suppression list.
Q: Why would I want to suppress a domain?
A: You may want to suppress a domain if:
The organization or domain has requested to stop receiving all communication.
The domain is part of a company or service provider that does not allow marketing emails or messages.
You want to avoid sending messages to email addresses that are likely to bounce (e.g., "do-not-reply" domains).
Q: How can I ensure my suppression lists are up to date?
A: Regularly updating your opted-out targets and suppressed domains is crucial for compliance. It is a good idea to:
Review your opted-out and suppressed lists on a regular basis.
Upload new suppression lists as soon as you receive opt-out requests or identify domains that need to be suppressed.
Q: What are the best practices for managing suppression lists?
A: Here are some best practices for managing suppression lists:
Respect preferences: Always honor customer opt-out requests promptly.
Segment suppression lists: Organize your suppression lists by communication type (e.g., email, SMS, push notifications).
Update regularly: Keep your suppression lists up to date to avoid compliance issues and potential fines.
Test campaigns: Ensure that suppressed contacts and domains are not mistakenly included in your campaigns by running test sends.
Q: Will I be notified if a target opts out?
A: Yes, Experiture provides automatic updates to your opted-out list when a contact opts out through unsubscribe links or other opt-out mechanisms in your campaigns.
Q: How do I check if a contact or domain is opted out or suppressed?
A: To check if a contact or domain is suppressed:
Go to the Opted-Out Targets or Suppressed Domains tab.
Use the search function to find the specific contact or domain.
If they are on the list, they will be shown in the search results.
Q: How can I filter or search for opted-out targets or suppressed domains?
A: You can filter or search for specific contacts or domains using the search bar in the Opted-Out Targets or Suppressed Domains tab. This allows you to quickly find specific entries without having to manually scroll through large lists.
Q: How do I handle email unsubscribes and suppressions?
A: Unsubscribes and suppression can be handled in several ways:
Managing targets: The Manage Subscribers screen provides a clear overview of targets who have opted out or have been suppressed, either manually or through a CSV file. Suppressed targets won’t receive further email communications.
Unsubscribe dates: Each unsubscribed target will have the date they unsubscribed and their associated campaign displayed for tracking purposes.
Suppression of domains: You can suppress entire domains, ensuring that no emails are sent to addresses from certain companies or organizations.
Q: How can I manage opted-out or suppressed targets?
A: There are several ways to manage your opt-outs and suppressed Targets or domains within Experiture:
Opting out targets: The Manage Subscribers screen allows you to view and manage the list of contacts who have opted out from receiving communications. You can also upload an opted-out or suppressed target list via a CSV file.
Suppression lists: You can suppress targets manually or by uploading a suppression list. Suppressed domains or contacts will no longer receive communications.
Suppress domains: You can suppress domains manually by entering a domain within Manage Subscribers. Suppressed domains or contacts will no longer receive email communications.
Viewing activity: You can see all the unsubscribe activities for individual contacts, including when they unsubscribed and from which campaign or domain.
DATA MODELS
Q: What is the purpose of the Data Model in Experiture?
A: The Data Model in Experiture allows you to define, manage, and customize the structure of your data. It helps you organize and segment your audience, enabling effective targeting and personalization in your marketing campaigns.
Q: What is a "Table" in the Data Model?
A: A table is a collection of data that organizes related information. For example, you may have a table for Profile (Main) data, which contains fields such as name, email address, and company. Each table can contain multiple records (or entries) that store data related to your targets.
Q: What are the default fields in a Target record?
A: Default fields in a Target record include essential data points such as:
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Company
Phone Number These fields are pre-configured to capture the most commonly used information.
Q: How do I create a new table in the Data Model?
A: To create a new table:
Go to the "Data Model" tab.
Click on the "Create New Table" button.
Define the table's name, structure, and the fields it will contain.
You can add both default and custom fields to the new table.
Q: What is the "Relationship Visualization" screen used for?
A: The Relationship Visualization screen provides a graphical overview of the relationships between different tables in your Data Model. It shows how data is connected and allows you to link fields across tables, ensuring a smooth flow of information between different datasets.
Q: How do I link tables in the Relationship Visualization screen?
A: To link tables:
Open the "Relationship Visualization" screen.
Drag fields from one table to another to create relationships.
These connections enable data to be shared or referenced between tables, enhancing how information is managed across your data model.
Q: How do I understand the connections between different data tables?
A: You can view and manage data relationships in the Data Models screen:
Viewing relationships: The Relationship Visualization tool lets you see how data points and fields from different tables connect. This helps ensure that the right data flows between different parts of the platform, such as between customer profiles and purchase histories.
Managing relational data: You can edit relational data directly through the Relational Table Data screen, which lets you update fields such as offers, offer IDs, and email addresses in one place.
Q: How do I create and manage relational data tables?
A: You can create data relationships in Experiture in the following way:
Creating new tables: In the Data Models section, you can create a new table by specifying the data fields and relational fields that connect it to other tables. Use custom fields to add relevant data points, such as contact information, purchase history, or campaign activities.
Custom fields: When creating or editing a data table, you can select different field types like text, number, date, or checkbox. Define whether each field is a primary key or if it can be used with generative AI.
Relationship visualization: The Relationship Visualization tool helps you map out how different tables interact with each other, ensuring the right data flows between them.
Relational table data: View, edit, and update relational data entries, ensuring you can track offers, email addresses, and associated metadata like offer IDs. This makes it easier to see how data points across various campaigns interact with one another.
Q: What is a "Field" in the Data Model?
A: A field is a specific piece of information that each record in a table contains. For example, fields in a "Profile" table could include "First Name," "Email Address," and "Company." Each field can be customized according to the data type it should store (e.g., text, number, email).
Q: How do I add custom fields to my Data Model?
A: To add custom fields:
Go to the "Data Model" tab.
Select the table to which you want to add a custom field.
Click on "Add Custom Field" and follow the step-by-step process to define the field’s type (e.g., text, number, dropdown), label, and other details.
Q: Why should I add custom fields to my Data Model?
A: Custom fields allow you to track additional information that is specific to your marketing needs. For example, you might want to capture industry-specific data, preferences, or any other unique data points not covered by the default fields.
Q: How do I add and configure custom fields?
A: You can add and configure custom fields as follows:
Field types: When creating a custom field in a data table, you can select from options like Automated Number, Currency, Date, Date and Time, Dropdown (Multi-select), and Email Address. These custom fields help in capturing specific data for your campaigns.
Configuring fields: Each field type allows for detailed customization, including naming the field, adding a description, setting a primary key, or defining formatting rules.
Generative AI usage: You can designate specific fields to be used in conjunction with Experiture’s generative AI tools, enhancing personalization and automation capabilities.
Q: Can I modify or delete a Custom Field after it has been created?
A: Yes, fields can be modified or deleted after they are created. To do so:
Go to the "Tables List" within the Data Model tab.
Find the field you wish to modify, click on the pencil icon to edit, or click on the delete icon to remove it.
Be cautious when deleting fields, as this action will permanently remove any associated data.
Q: What field types are supported in the Data Model?
A: The Data Model supports various field types, including:
Text: Stores general information like names or addresses.
Number: For numeric data like quantities or phone numbers.
Currency: Captures monetary values.
Date: Stores dates (e.g., a customer’s birthdate or event date).
Checkbox: Allows for yes/no or true/false responses.
Dropdown: Provides predefined options for selection (single or multi-select).
Q: How do I ensure data is correctly formatted in a field (e.g., for dates or email addresses)?
A: Experiture automatically enforces data formatting rules based on the field type. For example:
Date fields require the format YYYY-MM-DD.
Email fields expect a valid email format (e.g., [email protected]). Ensure that the data entered complies with the defined format to avoid errors.
Q: What are "System Fields"?
A: System fields are predefined by Experiture and are essential for the basic functioning of the platform. They typically include fields like "Email Address," "Lead Source," and "Suppression Date." These fields cannot be deleted but can be edited for specific uses.
Q: What is the difference between "Field Name" and "Field Label"?
A: The difference is as follows:
Field Name: The system name used internally by the database. It’s typically lowercase or formatted with underscores (e.g., first_name).
Field Label: The name displayed to users within the platform. This is what marketers or other users see when managing records (e.g., "First Name").
Q: What does "Use Field for Generative AI" mean?
A: This option allows you to designate specific fields to be used in conjunction with Generative AI features. By selecting this, the data in those fields can be referenced or utilized when AI-powered tools create personalized messages, reports, or other content.
Q: How can I track when a field was created or modified?
A: Each field contains information about the "Created Date" and "Modified Date." This allows you to track changes and updates made to the field and its properties, helping you keep a record of edits.
Q: Can I use custom fields in my campaigns?
A: Yes. Once a custom field is added to the Data Model, it can be used for audience segmentation, personalization, and targeting within your marketing campaigns. This helps you create more specific and tailored communication strategies.
Q: What happens if I delete a custom field?
A: When you delete a custom field, all associated data for that field is permanently removed. Make sure you no longer need the data before deleting the field.
Q: What types of custom fields can I create?
A: You can create several types of custom fields, including:
Automated Number: Automatically assigned unique ID numbers.
Checkbox: Single or multiple choice options.
Currency: Stores monetary values.
Date: Captures dates (formatted as YYYY-MM-DD).
Date and Time: Stores date and time values.
Dropdown (Multi-Select): Allows for single or multiple selections from a list.
Email Address: Stores email addresses for communication or verification.
Q. What is the difference between Field Name and Field Label?
A: The differences are as follows:
Field Label: This is the user-friendly display name that users will see when interacting with the custom field.
Field Name: This is the system name used internally for database purposes. It's typically similar to the label but formatted for database compatibility (e.g., using underscores).
Q: What are the "Starting Value" and "Incremental Value" for an Automated Number field?
A: These are as follows:
Starting Value: The first number assigned by the system when generating unique IDs for records.
Incremental Value: The value by which each subsequent number will increase. For example, if the starting value is 100 and the incremental value is 10, the next ID will be 110, followed by 120, and so on.
Q: Can I apply new custom fields to existing records?
A: Yes. When creating a custom field, you have the option to update existing records by ticking the "Update existing records" checkbox. This ensures the new field is applied to previously created records as well as new entries moving forward.
Q: How do I ensure the correct data format for custom fields like Date, Currency, or Email Address?
A: Experiture automatically formats these fields according to standard data types:
Date: Must be in YYYY-MM-DD format.
Currency: Requires the appropriate currency symbol and decimal places (e.g., USD, EUR).
Email Address: Must follow the correct syntax (e.g., [email protected]).
Ensure your data is formatted correctly when inputting information into these fields.
Q: Why should I create custom fields?
A: Custom fields allow you to:
Enhance Personalization: Collect more data for delivering personalized marketing campaigns.
Improve Segmentation: Track more detailed data, enabling better audience segmentation.
Capture Business- and Industry-Specific Data: Collect data points unique to your business or industry that aren’t covered by default fields.
Analyze and Optimize: Additional data means more insights for optimizing your campaigns.
Q: Can I edit or delete a custom field after it's created?
A: Yes, custom fields can be edited or deleted after creation. To do this:
Navigate to the "Tables List" under the "Data Models" tab.
Find the field you want to edit or delete, and use the available options (pencil icon to edit or delete icon to remove).
Q: What should I do if I’m unsure about the field type to use?
A: If you're unsure which field type to use, think about the type of data you want to store and how you plan to use it. For example:
Use Automated Number for unique identification.
Use Dropdown if you want users to choose from predefined options.
Use Currency for storing monetary values.
Use Email Address for communication fields.
If needed, consult with your data or marketing teams to ensure you're selecting the correct field type for your needs.
INBOUND MARKETING
LEAD PAGES
Q: What are Lead Pages in Experiture?
A: Lead Pages are customized landing pages used to capture visitor information and convert them into leads. These pages can be personalized based on the target audience and integrated into your marketing campaigns to optimize lead generation.
Q: How do I create a new Lead Page?
A: To create a new Lead Page:
Go to the Lead Pages section in the dashboard.
Click the Add Lead Page button.
Follow the prompts to configure your campaign, which may include setting up a GURL (Global URL) and alerts.
Customize your Lead Page with content and tracking options.
Save or publish the page once it’s ready.
Q: What’s the difference between Active Pages and Draft Pages?
A: The differences are as follows:
Active Pages: These are live landing pages currently being used in campaigns. You can monitor, edit, or pause them as needed.
Draft Pages: These are incomplete or unpublished pages that are still being worked on. You can revisit and edit them until you are ready to publish.
Q: What are GURLs in Lead Pages?
A: A GURL (Global URL) is a unique, trackable URL that leads visitors to your Lead Page. GURLs help you monitor visitor traffic and engagement, and they can be customized for different campaigns or audience segments.
Q: Can I receive notifications when visitors interact with my Lead Page?
A: Yes. You can enable Alerts when setting up a Lead Page. Alerts send email notifications whenever a visitor interacts with your page, such as visiting the page or submitting a form. These alerts can be sent to you or designated members of your team for timely follow-ups.
Q: How do I track the performance of a Lead Page?
A: Lead Page performance can be tracked through Lead Analytics, where you can view metrics such as:
Visitor engagement (page views, clicks)
Conversion rates
Lead generation data (form submissions, completed actions)
Q: Can I edit a Lead Page after it’s published?
A: Yes. You can return to the Active Pages section, select the published Lead Page, and make edits. Be aware that changes made to live pages may affect ongoing campaigns.
SURVEY FORMS
Q: What are Forms in Experiture?
A: Forms in Experiture are used to capture visitor or lead information. These forms can be embedded on Lead Pages, websites, or emails, and they help gather valuable data such as contact details, survey responses, or feedback.
Q: How do I create a new Form?
A: To create a new Form:
Navigate to the Forms section.
Click Add a Field to start building your form.
Select fields from the Create New section or use pre-defined profile fields.
Customize the fields by dragging them into your form layout.
Save the form and generate an Embed Code to place the form on your desired platform (landing page, website, email, etc.).
Q: What types of fields can I add to a Form?
A: You can add various types of fields, including:
Text Fields: Single-line text input.
Paragraph Fields: For longer responses.
Date, Telephone, Email, URL fields for structured data input.
Radio Buttons, Checkboxes, Dropdown for multiple-choice selections.
File Upload: Allows users to upload documents or images through the form.
Q: Can I use predefined fields in a Form?
A: Yes. Experiture provides Pre-defined Profile Fields such as First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and other common fields that can be added to your forms for easy data capture.
Q: What is the purpose of Custom Fields in a Form?
A: Custom Fields allow you to capture unique data that isn’t covered by the standard or pre-defined fields. You can create custom fields specific to your campaign needs and add them to your form.
Q: How do I enable Alerts for Forms?
A: While setting up your Form, you can choose to enable Alerts by checking the appropriate box. Alerts notify you or your team when a visitor submits the form, allowing for timely follow-up actions. You can choose who receives these alerts based on the interaction.
Q: How do I embed a Form on my website or landing page?
A: Once the form is created and saved, Experiture will generate an Embed Code. Copy this code and paste it into the HTML of your website, landing page, or email template to display the form.
Q: Can I edit a Form after it’s embedded?
A: Yes, you can edit forms by returning to the form builder, making the necessary changes, and saving them. Any changes made to the form will reflect wherever the embed code is used.
Q: Can I export the data collected from a Form?
A: Yes. You can export form responses and data into a CSV or other file format for analysis, reporting, or importing into other systems like CRMs.
Q: How can I use form data to improve lead generation?
A: By analyzing the responses gathered through your forms, you can:
Qualify leads based on the information they submit.
Segment your audience for targeted marketing campaigns.
Improve future forms and campaigns based on feedback and response patterns.
WEBSITE TRACKING
Q: What is the Website Tracking page in Experiture?
A: The Website Tracking page in Experiture allows you to monitor visitor activity on your website, including tracking anonymous visitors. It collects data such as visitor IP addresses, geographical locations, activity on the site, and referral information. This helps you understand visitor behavior and identify potential leads.
Q: What kind of data can I see on the Website Tracking page?
A: The Website Tracking page displays various data points, including:
Visitor: Identifying information for known visitors or blank for anonymous ones.
Activity Date: When the visitor engaged with your site.
IP Address: The visitor's IP address.
Search Keywords: Keywords used to find your site (if available).
Geographical Data: Country, region, city, and postal code.
Organization: The visitor’s organization (if identifiable by the IP).
Activity: The type of interaction, such as visiting a page or clicking a link.
Referral URL: The URL from which the visitor arrived at your site.
Page Name: The specific page the visitor engaged with.
Q: How can I filter the data on the Website Tracking page?
A: You can use the Search Bar to search for specific terms like visitor names, activities, or keywords. The All Tracks Dropdown lets you filter the data by specific tracking parameters, such as activity types or page names, helping you narrow down the most relevant information.
Q: Can I export visitor tracking data?
A: Yes. You can export the tracking data by clicking the Export button at the top of the page. This allows you to download the data in a CSV or another format, which is useful for further analysis or reporting.
Q: How often is the Website Tracking page updated?
A: The Website Tracking page updates in real-time as new visitors interact with your website. You can click the Refresh button in the top-right corner to ensure you’re seeing the latest visitor data.
TEMPLATES
Q: What types of Templates are available on the Templates page?
A: You can choose from Email Templates, Landing Page Templates, and Direct Mail Templates. These Templates are pre-designed to help you quickly create professional marketing materials for your campaigns.
Q: How do I select a Template?
A: Simply hover over the Template you are interested in, and click on the Select Template button. This will open the Template in the editor, where you can begin customizing it.
Q: Can I edit the Templates?
A: Yes, you can fully customize the Templates. You can modify text, images, layout, colors, and other elements using the available editors: Drag and Drop, New Drag and Drop, or the HTML Editor for advanced customization.
Q: What is the difference between Drag and Drop, New Drag and Drop, and HTML Editor?
A: The differences are as follows:
Drag and Drop: A simple editor that lets you modify Templates by dragging elements like text, images, and buttons.
New Drag and Drop: An enhanced version with more features and control for customizing Templates.
HTML Editor: This is for advanced users who prefer to directly edit the HTML code of the Templates.
Q: Can I filter Templates based on my specific needs?
A: Yes, the left-hand panel allows you to filter Templates by categories such as Seasonal, Industry, Usage, and Automated Templates. You can also search for Templates using the search bar.
Q: Can I save my customized Templates for future use?
A: Absolutely! Once you've customized a Template, you can save it under My Templates. This allows you to reuse and modify it later for other campaigns.
Q: What is the Template Marketplace?
A: The Marketplace contains professionally designed, pre-built Templates provided by Experiture. You can select any of these Templates and customize them for your campaigns.
Q: Can I create my own Template from scratch?
A: Yes, if you don’t want to use a pre-built Template, you can start from scratch using the HTML Editor or the Drag and Drop editors to create a fully custom design.
Q: How do I preview a Template before using it?
A: To preview a Template, hover over its thumbnail and click More Info. This will provide a detailed view of the Template design and structure before you select and edit it.
Q: Can I test my Templates before launching a campaign?
A: Yes, we recommend testing your email or landing page Templates across devices to ensure responsiveness and compatibility. You can preview how they will look on desktop and mobile.
Q: How do I categorize Templates for easier access?
A: Templates are already organized by categories such as Seasonal, Industry, and Usage. You can further customize the way you view them by searching and filtering, making it easy to locate the Template that fits your needs.
Q: Are there Templates for specific holidays or seasonal campaigns?
A: Yes, there is a Seasonal filter that provides Templates for holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Summer. You can find these Templates and tailor them to your campaigns.
Q: Can I delete Templates I no longer need?
A: Yes, you can manage your saved Templates under the My Templates section, where you can delete any Templates you no longer want to keep.
Q: Can I see both the Marketplace Templates and my own Templates together?
A: Yes, if you want to view all available Templates at once, select All Templates to see both Marketplace Templates and your personal Templates in one place.
Q: What if I need more assistance with Templates?
A: If you need additional help, you can contact our customer support team or visit the help section within the Experiture platform for more in-depth guides and tutorials.
Q: How do I access pre-designed templates for my campaigns?
A: Go to the TEMPLATES section, where you will find customizable templates for email, landing pages, direct mail, and more.
Q: How do I use and customize templates for campaigns?
A: Emails, Direct Mails, and Landing Pages can all be saved as Templates in the Experiture system. These saved Templates can be accessed by other users in your Experiture instance as follows:
Template types: You can choose from various template types such as Landing Page, Email Template, or Direct Mail. This flexibility allows you to use predefined templates or create your own for different types of campaigns.
Marketplace vs. My Templates: Experiture offers a marketplace with pre-built templates that you can customize. Alternatively, store and access your own templates in the My Templates section.
Editor Options: There are multiple editing options, including Drag and Drop, HTML Editor, and New Drag and Drop for various template designs. These tools allow for fast, easy customization of your templates for your specific needs.
ASSET MANAGER
Q: What types of files can I upload to the Asset Manager?
A: You can upload various file types such as images (PNG, JPG, etc.), videos (MP4, MOV), documents (PDF, DOCX), and other media types, depending on the system’s file format support.
Q: How do I upload a new asset?
A: Click on the "Upload Files" button located at the top of the screen. Select the files from your local device that you wish to upload, and they will appear in the main content area after the upload is complete.
Q: Can I organize assets into folders?
A: Yes, you can organize assets into folders by creating new categories or using existing ones. The folder structure is displayed on the left side of the interface under the "Images" category.
Q: How can I view the details of an uploaded asset?
A: You can view an asset’s details by selecting the thumbnail of the file. The details, such as file size, upload date, and aspect ratio, will appear below the asset preview.
Q: How do I preview an asset?
A: To preview an asset, click the eye icon on the thumbnail. This will open a larger version of the asset for you to inspect.
Q: How can I edit the information of an asset?
A: To edit the asset’s metadata, such as its name or tags, click the pencil icon located on the asset’s thumbnail. This will allow you to make changes to the metadata.
Q: Can I download an asset back to my local system?
A: Yes, you can download any asset by clicking the download icon located on the thumbnail of the asset. The file will be saved to your local device.
Q: How do I delete an asset?
A: To delete an asset, click the trash icon on the asset’s thumbnail. Be cautious, as deletion is typically permanent and may not be recoverable.
Q: How do I find a specific asset?
A: Use the search bar located at the top right of the Asset Manager to search for assets by name or keyword. This feature is useful when you have a large number of files.
Q: Is there a way to copy an asset’s path for reference?
A: Yes, under the asset details, click "Click here for path" to copy the file’s path. This can be used for linking or embedding the asset in other parts of your system.
Q: How do I manage the number of assets displayed per page?
A: You can adjust the number of assets displayed per page by selecting the Per Page dropdown located on the bottom right of the screen. Choose from options such as 10, 20, or more assets per page.
Q: Can I sort the assets?
A: Yes, assets can be sorted by file name, size, or date. Use the sorting options in the upper-right corner of the Asset Manager for better organization.
Q: How do I copy an asset for use elsewhere?
A: Use the copy icon on the asset’s thumbnail to duplicate the file for use in other areas of your system.
Q: What happens if I upload a file with the same name as an existing asset?
A: If a file with the same name already exists, the system may either replace the old asset or prompt you to rename the new file, depending on the specific configuration of the Asset Manager.
Q: Can I bulk upload files?
A: Yes, the Upload Files button allows you to select multiple files at once for bulk uploading. This saves time if you need to upload several assets at the same time.
Q: Is there a limit to how many files I can upload at once?
A: Typically, you can upload multiple files at once. If you encounter issues, it’s advisable to upload files in smaller batches.
Q: How can I organize and manage my digital assets?
A: You can manage your digital assets from the Asset Manager:
Uploading files: In the Asset Manager screen, you can upload images, documents, and other media that you’ll use in your campaigns. Each asset will have a file size, date uploaded, aspect ratio, and other metadata visible.
Creating folders: Organize your assets by creating folders for different campaigns or asset types. This helps in maintaining a clean, organized digital library.
Managing assets: You can edit metadata, preview assets, or delete them as necessary. You can also download assets for offline use or for sharing outside the platform.
Search functionality: A built-in search bar lets you find assets quickly, which is essential for large campaigns where multiple assets are used across different channels.
Q: How do I manage creative assets in Experiture?
A: You can upload, organize, and manage all your creative assets in the ASSET MANAGER section. These assets can then be used across your campaigns.
PERSONALIZATION
Q: Can I personalize content in my campaigns?
A: Yes, the PERSONALIZATION section allows you to set up rules that dynamically alter content based on customer data. This applies to emails, landing pages, and other marketing channels.
CAMPAIGNS
Q: What types of campaigns can I create in the CAMPAIGNS section?
A: Experiture allows you to create anything from single-channel blasts (e.g., email) to complex omnichannel workflows with multiple branches and triggers, ensuring you can meet any marketing objective.
Q: What is the main purpose of the Customer Journey "Designer" in the Experiture Campaign Screen?
A: The Customer Journey "Designer" allows users to visually map out and configure the flow of customer interactions across various channels such as email, SMS, and landing pages. It helps users design a multi-step journey, including triggers and actions based on customer behavior.
Q: What types of channels can I use in the campaign screen?
A: The available channels include Email, Transactional Email, Print, SMS, Push Notifications, and other custom or integrated channels. These channels enable businesses to communicate with customers across multiple platforms.
Q: What destinations are available in the campaign screen?
A: You can use Landing Pages (personalized pages for specific targets), External URLs (to direct customers to other websites), and Alerts (email notifications to confirm actions or notify stakeholders).
Q: How can I integrate custom systems or CRMs with the Experiture platform?
A: The "Custom" option in the left sidebar allows users to integrate their CRM or other custom platforms. You can set up custom destinations to push data or notify stakeholders outside of the Experiture system.
Q: What are the options available next to the campaign name?
A: The options include:
Journey Builder View: To design or edit customer journeys.
Campaign Services View: To manage the different services available in the campaign (e.g., landing pages, PURLs, SMS).
Copy Campaign: To duplicate an existing campaign template for reuse. View Variables: To view or edit personalization variables used within the campaign.
Q: How do I manage campaign targets and scheduling?
A: Use the Manage Campaign section to configure audience targets and set schedules for campaign delivery. You can also track the status of services like landing pages, PURLs, and inbound SMS.
Q: How do I configure channels for my campaign? A: Drag and drop the available channels (such as Email, SMS, etc.) from the left sidebar into the Customer Journey Designer. Then, configure the settings for each channel, such as when and how the messages will be sent to customers.
Q: Can I duplicate a campaign in Experiture?
A: Yes, the Copy Campaign option allows you to duplicate an existing campaign, which can save time and effort when setting up similar campaigns. Just ensure that campaign variables are adjusted before launch.
Q: How do I monitor my campaign's performance after launch?
A: Once the campaign is launched, you can review performance through Reports and run A/B Split Tests to compare different campaign variations and optimize engagement.
Q: How do I manage external destinations like LiveRamp -- or my current CDP or CRM?
A: You can manage external destinations under the Other section in the left sidebar. This allows you to push data or integrate with systems like LiveRamp or custom CRM systems.
Q: What if a campaign element is not fully configured?
A: If a campaign element (such as a landing page or SMS) is incomplete, a hazard icon will appear in place of the green check mark. This helps you track which elements need further attention before launching.
Q: Can I set up alerts for campaign actions?
A: Yes, under the Alerts section, you can configure notifications for either internal stakeholders or targets. For example, you can send email alerts when a customer completes an action or notify your team when a key event happens in the campaign.
Q: How can I archive a campaign?
A: Once a campaign is completed or no longer needed, you can archive it by marking it as completed in the Archived Campaigns tab.
Q: How can I export campaign data?
A: Use the Export button in the analytics section to download data regarding message delivery, responses, and more in CSV or PDF format for further analysis.
INBOUND MARKETING
Q: Can I integrate my inbound marketing efforts into Experiture?
A: Yes, in the INBOUND MARKETING section, you can set up and manage landing pages for inbound campaigns like SEM or Display ads, allowing you to track and capture leads effectively.
SCORING
Q: What does the SCORING section do?
A: The SCORING section lets you define scoring models to rank customers based on their profile attributes or behaviors. These scores can be used to personalize messaging or create targeted segments.
Q: Can I add custom fields for profile scoring?
A: Yes, you can add custom fields by clicking Add Field in the profile section. This allows you to choose any data field from your contact profiles and assign a score to it based on your criteria.
Q: How often should I recalculate Scores?
A: It’s best to recalculate scores regularly, especially after a major campaign or at regular intervals (e.g., monthly or quarterly). This ensures your scoring model stays up to date with the latest activity and contact data.
Q: Can I apply different scoring models to different segments?
A: Yes, you can create different scoring models by adjusting the fields and actions used in the scoring logic. For example, you might have one scoring model for leads and another for existing customers based on their interaction patterns.
Q: What happens if I delete a profile field from the scoring model?
A: If you delete a field from the profile scoring model, it will no longer contribute to the overall profile score for any contacts. However, you can always add it back if needed.
KNOWLEDGEBASE/CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Q: Where can I find help if I have questions about the platform?
A: The KNOWLEDGEBASE contains helpful articles and resources. You can also chat with support agents or submit a support ticket if further assistance is needed.
SCORING
Q: Can I add custom fields for profile scoring?
A: Yes, you can add custom fields by clicking Add Field in the profile section. This allows you to choose any data field from your contact profiles and assign a score to it based on your criteria.
Q: How often should I recalculate scores?
A: It’s best to recalculate scores regularly, especially after a major campaign or at regular intervals (e.g., monthly or quarterly). This ensures your scoring model stays up to date with the latest activity and contact data.
Q: Can I apply different scoring models to different segments?
A: Yes, you can create different scoring models by adjusting the fields and actions used in the scoring logic. For example, you might have one scoring model for leads and another for existing customers based on their interaction patterns.
Q: What happens if I delete a profile field from the scoring model?
A: If you delete a field from the profile scoring model, it will no longer contribute to the overall profile score for any contacts. However, you can always add it back if needed.
GENERAL
Q: How can I search and export data from Experiture?
A: You can search within any dashboard or table in the Experiture platform -- as well as export data for use in other systems:
Search functionality: Across multiple screens (like Templates, Asset Manager, and Data Models), you can use the search bar to quickly locate specific items based on keywords or file names.
Exporting data: Many screens offer an export function, which allows you to export assets or data (e.g., suppression lists, custom fields) for use outside of the platform or for backup purposes.
Q: How can Experiture's tools benefit my campaigns?
A: Here are various functionalities with Experiture that can be of benefit when creating marketing campaigns:
Templates and asset management: If you are running multiple campaigns, Experiture’s Templates and Asset Manager tools make it easy to organize and reuse consistent assets and designs across campaigns.
Data management: The Data Models and Custom Fields features ensure that your customer and campaign data is accurately tracked and easily accessible for reporting or future marketing efforts.
Suppression and opt-out management: With suppression lists, you ensure compliance and avoid sending communications to those who have opted out, maintaining a positive brand reputation.
Visualizing relationships: Use the Relationship Visualization tool to map out how different pieces of your data are connected, helping you better understand customer journeys and interactions across campaigns.
OLDER FAQs - CAMPAIGNS
Q: What do I need to know when creating a new campaign?
A: When you create a new campaign there are options and settings available for you to select. These can impact how your campaign runs and performs so it is important you understand each area so you can set it to your preferences and requirements.
Campaign Name – The name you give your campaign. It can be updated at any time. The campaign name has no effect on your campaign besides acting as an identifier.
Campaign Start Date – The date your campaign is eligible to run. The start date defaults to the day your campaign is created and, in most cases, will not need to be changed. If you want to schedule a campaign to run in on a future date, you can either set this on individual components or adjust the global campaign start date. Note: The campaign start date displays in the upper right of the program designer screen when you are building a campaign.
Campaign End Date – The date your campaign will cease running. End dates are useful if you are adding targets to existing segments. This assures that any past campaigns those segments are attached to will not run when the new targets are added. Note: The campaign start date displays in the upper right of the program designer screen when you are building a campaign.
Campaign Description – Allows you to add a description or “notes” to your campaign. Used only as an identifier and has no effect on your campaign.
Campaign Category – Used to manage campaigns, you can select a category for your campaign when creating it. You can filter by category under Manage Campaigns.
Set Target Limit – Set a pre-determined limit to the number of targets your campaign will send to.
Link Domain – Choose a domain you have previously linked to your account. This is most often used when you are adding landing pages and/or PURLs (Personalized URLs) to your campaign.
Generate PURLs – This option allows you to add PURLs (Personalized URLs) to your campaign. You will also check this option if you are using direct mail and printing PURLs on your mailers as part of your campaign.
Once you have created a new campaign, you can edit your settings at any time by selecting the Edit icon located to the right of your campaign name.
Q: How do I categorize my campaigns?
A: Campaign categories are set on the admin level of your account in your organizations profile. To access this, go to Dashboard, then under Manage Account select Organization Profile. Once there, go to the top navigation bar and select Program Categories. There you can create, edit or remove categories for your campaigns.
In that same navigation bar, you will also notice an Email Categories area. This allows you to create email-specific categories and select them when adding email components to your programs. Once these categories are created, you can also edit a component’s properties at any time and select the appropriate email category.
Q: How do I delete or remove a campaign from my list?
A: To remove a campaign from your list under Campaigns, simply click the ‘X” to the right of your campaign. Note that your campaign will not be deleted, but rather archived. We don’t recommend deleting any campaigns within your instance as they can affect other areas such as reporting, your ability to copy that campaign and other areas.
Q: Can I copy a campaign?
A: YES and Experiture makes it simple and easy. To copy an existing campaign, select the campaign you wish to copy from your Campaigns list. Next, select the Copy icon to the right of your campaign name in the program designer. Give your clone a new name, and then you can edit the updated campaign freely with no effect on the original campaign it was copied from.
Q: My campaign did not launch as expected, why not?
A: There are a few reasons why a campaign you launched did not run. Here we describe the most common reasons and what to check if a campaign you launched is not running as expected.
Start date set in the future – The start date of your campaign has been set to a date beyond the launch date of your components. You can adjust the start date of our campaign by editing your campaign properties from the program designer screen. You’ll find the Edit icon located to the right of your campaign name.
End date set to today or in the past – The end date of your campaign has been set to today, or a date prior to the start date of your campaign. You can adjust the end date of our campaign by editing your campaign properties from the program designer screen. You’ll find the Edit icon located to the right of your campaign name.
Components not launched – For a campaign to run, all components you wish to run must be individually launched. Do this by selecting the More icon (vertical ellipse …) in the individual component menu and choosing Launch. You’ll see the pre-launch checklist. All items must show in green for that component to be able to be launched. Any components within a campaign not launched will not run within the campaign.
Components scheduled to launch in future – If any of the components you wish to run when you launch your campaign are set to dates or intervals in the future, they will not run.
Campaign is paused – If the global pause button is set on your campaign, no components will be able to run. Unpausing a campaign will instantly re-initiate any active components to run.
Q: How do I pause a campaign that has already started?
A: You can pause a live (running) campaign at any time by selecting the large Pause/Start button. Note that this will pause your campaign, but if the components (email, SMS, etc.) have already been deployed to all your targets, you will not be able to pull back those messages. Pausing your campaign will only affect messages that have not been sent.
Q: Can I schedule a campaign to stop on a pre-determined date?
A: You can set a pre-determined start date for any campaign when you are creating the campaign by entering a campaign end-date in the appropriate field. You can add a end-date at any time by editing your campaign properties from the program designer screen. You’ll find the Edit icon located to the right of your campaign name. Once there, simply add a stop date to your campaign to pause all components on that date.
Q: How long does it take to send out a campaign?
A: Experiture’s enterprise grade email platform means your messages go out fast and efficiently, but this also depends on other factors such as the number of targets you are sending to and how many touches you have. Additionally, other factors as soft bounces and the number of reattempts, etc. can also affect the time it takes to fully deploy a campaign. That said, it is not uncommon for single-touch campaigns with 50,000 targets to finish sending in 20-30 minutes.
Note that Experiture automatically throttles (increases/reduces the send pipeline) your campaigns to continuously adjust to network conditions (and ensure the reputation of your IP) which can and will affect send times of your campaigns.
Q: Are there limits to how many targets I can send to from a single campaign?
A: In Experiture there are no limits on the number of targets you can send to. However, your campaign will automatically be throttled or “controlled” to limit the number of messages sent in given intervals. Our delivery teams constantly monitor your campaigns to optimize the sending of messages pending current network conditions and activity from upstream providers such as Google, Yahoo! and others.
While there is no limit on the number of targets you can send messages to in your campaigns, Experiture will automatically throttle your message delivery to adjust to network conditions and ensure your IP reputation remains high regardless of how many email messages you send out.
Q: Where can I see which views/segments are attached to my campaigns?
A: There are two places you can see the views and segments attached to a campaign:
From the program designer screen – Click on any campaign and then select Program
Targets in the upper right of the screen. Here you will see all the views/segments that are attached to your campaign as well as all the targets loaded into that campaign.
From the segmentation screen – Select Targets and then Segments from the main menu. Here you will see all your existing segments. On the right-hand side, you will see an Add to Program button. Immediately above that you’ll find the Show All link. Clicking this will bring up a list of programs that view/segment is attached to, and allow you to remove it from any as well.
Best practice is to remove any segments you plan to reuse from existing campaigns and/or pause those campaigns so there is no risk of adding targets to an existing campaign via an existing segment.
GENERAL
Q: How can I search and export data from Experiture?
A: You can search within any dashboard or table in the Experiture platform -- as well as export data for use in other systems:
Search functionality: Across multiple screens (like Templates, Asset Manager, and Data Models), you can use the search bar to quickly locate specific items based on keywords or file names.
Exporting data: Many screens offer an export function, which allows you to export assets or data (e.g., suppression lists, custom fields) for use outside of the platform or for backup purposes.
Q: How can Experiture's tools benefit my campaigns?
A: Here are various functionalities with Experiture that can be of benefit when creating marketing campaigns:
Templates and asset management: If you are running multiple campaigns, Experiture’s Templates and Asset Manager tools make it easy to organize and reuse consistent assets and designs across campaigns.
Data management: The Data Models and Custom Fields features ensure that your customer and campaign data is accurately tracked and easily accessible for reporting or future marketing efforts.
Suppression and opt-out management: With suppression lists, you ensure compliance and avoid sending communications to those who have opted out, maintaining a positive brand reputation.
Visualizing relationships: Use the Relationship Visualization tool to map out how different pieces of your data are connected, helping you better understand customer journeys and interactions across campaigns.
Q: What is and open rate?
A: Email open rate is the percentage of the total number of subscribers who opened an email campaign out of your total mailing list. These rates can vary depending on the target list, from address, subject line, timing and the relevancy of the subject matter for subscribers. Open rates are calculated by the number of unique opens divided by the number of emails sent, minus those that bounced.
Benchmarks range anywhere form 0.3% – 60% depending on the list or segment you are using, if your list is a house/member list or cold/acquisition, what day/time you are sending the email, and maybe most importantly, how well your subject line resonates with that audience.
Q: What is a click-through rate?
A: Better known as CTR, click-through rate is the number of members who have clicked a link to an external destination from an email out of your total mailing list. Usually displayed as a percentage, it is calculated by dividing the clicks by the total number of opens.
Click-through rate is a better measure of engagement than open rates, as it shows the users interest level and intent to take action (even if just to learn more) is elevated from those who simply open an email and can lift overall reputation.
Q: How is an invalid email address determined?
A: An invalid email occurs when you attempt to send email to an address that is formatted in a manner that does not meet internet email format standards or the email does not exist at the recipient’s mail server.
Examples include addresses with syntax errors (e.g. jsmith@website,com), spelling mistakes (e.g. [email protected] instead of [email protected]) or finally, the user has provided a “fake” or non-existent email address, like [email protected]. If you run promos or contests that only require the email to enter, but not confirm, this will drive up the number of invalid addresses you receive. Best practice is to require email validation to avoid invalid addresses.
Q: What is a hard bounce and how does it differ from a soft bounce?
A: A hard bounce indicates a permanent reason an email cannot be delivered. In most cases, bounced email addresses are cleaned from your database automatically. Email addresses that hard bounce will be excluded from all future campaign sends. Common reasons for hard bounces include A) the address doesn’t exist, B) the domain does not exist, or C) the recipient email server has blocked delivery.
Alternately, Soft bounces typically indicate a temporary delivery issue. Unlike hard bounces, soft bounced message delivery will be reattempted several times. There are many reasons an email address may soft bounce, these are some common reasons this could happen.
Mailbox is full (over quota).
Recipient domain is temporarily throttling due to high volume.
Recipient email server is down or offline.
Email message is too large.
If an email address continues to soft bounce in additional campaigns, the address will eventually be considered a hard bounce and suppressed from your list.
Q: Can I “unbounce” a customer?
A: The quick answer is “yes”, but there are some contingencies. Hard bounces are not determined by our servers, but rather a response we get back upon sending. While we can remove a user from the hard bounce list, unless the status of their email address has changed with other providers, the address will likely come back as hard bounced on the next attempt as well.
Also keep in mind your IP reputation. Resending to hard bounced addresses is viewed as “spammer behavior”. You can do it on a one-by-one basis here and there, but it is poor practice to do it on mass for a large block of addresses as this can permanently damage your reputation as an email sender.
Q: Does Experiture meet all privacy acts including TCPA, CAN-SPAM, GDPR & CCPA?
A: YES. As a certified email provider, Experiture meets or exceeds all known privacy acts including TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act), CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing), GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).
We work in some of the most highly regulated industries so you can rest assured that we take every necessary precaution to assure our systems and platforms are fully outfitted to meet any and all regulations.
Q: Why does my target list matter so much in delivery?
A: The importance of building good lists and list hygiene cannot be understated. Think of it this way: If your ability to get into a hot night club depends on the reputation of your entourage, you would not bring anyone with you that you did not know well. If you did and they act poorly, this reflects directly on your reputation and may cost you the ability to be welcomed back the next time.
Email lists are similar. Every unknown or “bad” email address lowers your reputation. Lower it far enough and you can be “blacklisted” or disallowed to send emails from your domain.
So how do you build and maintain good lists? Here are some recommendations you should follow:
Use Explicit Opt-In.
Requires the customer/member to voluntarily (and explicitly) sign up for email marketing. Often, this takes the form an explicit sign-up for updates, or a checkbox on a registration page that reads something like, “I want to receive offers, news and updates.”
Validate Email Addresses
Put a program in place to validate your customer email addresses by sending a follow-up to the email provided. This method is common for many sign-up moments consumers encounter, so for most it is simply part of the process. Your Experiture project manager can you configure a validation program.
Identify the Types of Emails You Will Send
Customers/Members are more likely to opt-in and not mark emails as spam if they understand what they are signing up for.
Send out Welcome or “New Member” Emails
Ensure your customers/members immediately get communications from you so they associate your emails with their recent opt-in. Users often forget they opted-in when they receive emails long after they originally signed up.
Monitor Engagement & Unsubscribes
As you send out different messages, watch your email stats including open rates, click through rates, unsubscribes and other stats that provide indications of how your email campaigns are performing with your customer/member base. Use this data to augment your programs to better fit the engagement patterns.
Segment by Activity
Your open rate also plays a part in your overall reputation, so using engagement activity and segmenting by email opens is a good approach. In Experiture’s segmentation engine, you will find a host of ways to segment based on activity. You can also view user’s profiles to see which emails they are engaging with an which they aren’t. Moreover, you can also set scoring by email types to help assess your user base.
Resending to users who never open your email will play a role in degrading your overall reputation as a sender, and, your messages are not getting read. For these users, it’s probably time to try another channel to reach them.
Q: How do I clean up my target list?
A: Experiture is automatically helping to keep your lists clean. This includes managing unsubscribes, hard and soft bounces, invalid addresses and more on every campaign you send. These are automatically pulled out and suppressed from your database.
However, there are other action steps you can take on the list itself to keep it as clean as possible, and your Experiture delivery team can help.
Identify and Remove Spam Traps & Abusive Addresses
Experiture’s email deliverability experts track spam trap data and use it to remove them from email list data helping to elevate your reputation by avoiding known traps and abusive addresses that are often mark emails as spam.
Identify and Remove or Validate Inactive Addresses
Inactive addresses with little to no engagement can hurt your overall reputation and can also become spam traps over time. Customers/members who have not opened an email in the last 12 months or more should be removed or sent reactivation messages to reengage or remove them depending on activity.
Give Customers/Members Opportunities to Confirm Their Email Address
Using validation programs, on-site kiosks or other methods, ensure your customers/members are presented with opportunities to confirm their email addresses to ensure misspellings and typos are corrected.
Re-Validate Addresses That Have Hard Bounced
While emailing addresses that have hard bounced is possible, your better bet is to re-approach customers/members whose emails have hard bounced and request they update their address (using opt-in best practices).
Run Email Update Incentive Programs
Good email addresses don’t just help keep your reputation up, they allow you to engage customers/members and generate additional revenue. Running programs that provide offers and incentives for users to update their email addresses and provide the most current can be well worth the marketing spend.
What is a Spam Trap and why do I need to avoid them?
Spam traps are a type of fraud management tool, used by major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and blacklist providers to identify spammers so they can block emails from them. A spam trap looks like a real email address, but it doesn’t belong to a real person and can’t be used for any kind of communication. Types of Spam Traps Include:
Pure Spam Traps
These are email addresses that have never been used by anyone. Pure spam traps are set up with the sole intention of luring in spammers, which is done by leaving them out as bait. The address is placed on the Internet where people or robots harvesting email addresses illegitimately will find them.
Recycled Email Addresses
Recycled spam traps are very old email addresses that are no longer in use by the original owner. The address has been abandoned for so long the provider has repurposed it as a trap to expose, and block emails from, senders who are not responsibly managing their email marketing programs.
Typos
Typos are email addresses with a typo in the domain, such as @gnail instead of @gmail. Typos on the domain side of the address, after the @, are the most common spam traps, but you can also strike one with a misspelled username — the bit before the @.
Fake Addresses
When users register online for say, a whitepaper download, they may enter a fake email address. For example, someone submits an address like [email protected] which might just happen to be a spam trap address.
Avoiding Spam Traps
Your Experiture delivery team can work with you to run your list through powerful tools that track all the known spam traps across the web. Removing these is key, as they directly impact your reputation. Many companies assume they will have no spam traps if users are directly providing email addresses, but this is often not the case. Even in well curated house lists, we have found spam traps to exist so it is important to regularly check as your database grows.
Q: What is IP reputation and why does it matter?
A: IP reputation matters much like your business reputation matters. If you are a straightforward businessperson who works hard, is known to treat colleagues with respect and are fair in your business practices, you will likely enjoy a good reputation. In fact, that reputation may even proceed you in circles where you are not well known providing a fast entrance into them.
IP reputation works in the same manner. If your IP is trustworthy, meaning you follow best practices and avoid “spammy” behavior, you will enjoy a good IP reputation. As a good business reputation opens doors in your professional life, a good IP reputation does the same for but with mail servers and providers.
Mail servers and spam filters are looking for any signs of suspicious behavior. A good IP reputation means mail servers and spam filters will view you as positive sender and lower their blockers to let messages from your domain/IP come through. On the converse, having a poor reputation will put a mail servers guard up, and make it much more likely your messages will be blocked.
Q: How does my content affect my ability to land in inboxes?
A: Content matters more than you might think. The single best thing you can do to avoid spam filters when it comes to content is to not look like spam. As obvious as this may seem, there may be some design or content decisions you make that will unwittingly flag those filters. Here are best practices you can use to ensure you don’t look like spam:
Maintain balance between text and images
Some of the best performing campaigns use strong hero imagery to great effect and the key here is balance – use strong images, but also ensure your email has enough context to deliver your message even without them. Use of alt text (the text that is shown when images are turned off) is always recommended.
Watch your text to link ratio
As with text/image ratio, this is another area that does not have a hard and fast rule that will work for all receiving inboxes. Spammers often send emails with just a few lines of text and numerous links. Most importantly, balance the number of links you have in your email with quality content. Of course, you should always check every link before sending your campaign. Including a link to a spam or malware infected site is another way to get fast-tracked to the spam folder.
Be cautious of URL shorteners
The use of URL shorteners is something you should avoid in your email campaigns. Even if the URLs you are linking to are legitimate, the widespread abuse of URL shorteners to transmit spam has made them red flags for many ISPs. Instead, provide clickable hyperlinks on keywords in your copy or on images.
Tighten up your content
Avoid spammy words and phrases like “WINNER!” or “100% Free”. Also, be careful when using special characters ($%#), avoid overuse of punctuation and always proofread your copy for spelling mistakes. As discussed previously, half the battle when trying to avoiding the spam filter is to avoid looking like a spammer.
For more information, see our Email Best Practices How-To Guide and How to Avoid Common Spam Keywords article.
OLDER FAQs - PURLs
Q: What is a PURL?
A: A Personalized URL or “PURL” is a unique web address that is personalized to an individual customer. Typically formatted like johnsmith.mywebsite.com, or www.mywebsite.com/johnsmith, PURLs create a highly targeted, “one-to-one” URL experience for each individual customer and prospect.
PURLs are commonly used as a destination from direct mail, email or other direct marketing campaigns, leading end-users to a highly personalized landing page/experience. PURL technology allows you to customize landing pages by mapping variable placeholders to your customer data set to the content displayed on the landing page itself.
PURLs and personalized landing pages are known for generating much higher conversion rates, often as much as 400% over non-personalized landing pages.
What is the difference between PURLs and GURLs?
PURLs are Personalized URLs that lead to landing pages that are personalized to the customer. PURLs are formatted to include the customers or prospect’s name, e.g. johnsmith.myoffer.com. PURL technology is one-to-one, meaning one Personalized URL for each customer or “target”.
GURLs or “Generalized URLs” are URLs that lead to landing pages that are not personalized and are one-to-many, meaning a single landing page for all visitors, e.g. www.mywebsite.com. GURLs are not personalized to your customer data, but like a PURL, they can feature forms and other elements to allow you to gather information from visitors.
What can I personalize on a PURL?
Both the PURL and personalized landing page it leads to can be fully personalized.
The Personalized URL can be personalized both to the campaign and each individual customer or prospect. Using a personal lending example, the URL selected might be www.myautoloan.com. Then, this URL is converted to a PURL in the platform and customer names are appended making the final PURL customized to become johnsmith.myautoloan.com. PURls can be further customized by format, e.g. johnsmith.myautoloan.com, or www.myautoloan.com/johnsmith as well as case (Proper, UPPER, etc.) along with other formatting options available.
The landing page can be customized using any field in your customer or prospect data set. This data is mapped using variable placeholders that display in your content on the landing page. This can be used for basic personalization like greeting the customer or prospect by name but can also extend into much deeper personalization including eligibility, approval amounts and more. Bottom line, if it is a field in your data it can be displayed on your PURL/landing page.
But we don’t stop there, using our platform you can also setup advanced conditional content rules that will swap out images or show/hide entire content blocks depending on what applies to each individual customer.
Q: Can PURLs have multiple pages?
A: Yes, PURLs/personalized landing pages can have multiple pages. These additional pages can be used in a variety of ways including progressive audience profiling (multi-step forms), additional content pages (microsites) or simply to serve up confirmation pages. Each page can feature a custom design and can be personalized with your customer or prospect data set, or even response data the customer/prospect provided on the initial page (e.g. a form they filled out).
How are PURLs typically used and are there different types?
While there are a myriad of applications and use-cases for PURLs, they are often used in direct marketing campaigns. PURLs are Printed on direct mailers, embedded in email campaigns and included in nurturing programs to name just some of the ways marketers are leveraging PURLs to drive customer engagement.
To give you a clearer idea of the two most common applications of PURLs:
Campaign-Based – These are PURLs/Landing Pages that are focused on a specific campaign and are typically a single-use. Once a prospect or customer has visited their personalized landing page and responded/converted, the PURL has done its job and is no longer needed.
Customer Portals – PURLs are also commonly used as ongoing customer destinations or “portals”. Think of signing up for an account at your local bank. The bank may provide you with a PURL that will live with you for the lifetime of your account. You can go to this personalized portal to get updates, enroll in new programs or products and manage your overall customer experience.
Q: For how long are PURLs active?
A: A typical, campaign-based PURL is active for 90 days or 10 clicks of the PURL. You can extend the life of your PURL (for customer portals or other uses) by changing the status in your account, or by contacting customer support and requesting the expiration date be updated. Note that additional fees may apply.
Q: Do I need to know HTML to create personalized landing pages?
A: No, you don’t need any special skills to create a PURL. If you can make a Power Point or Google slide deck, you can make a PURL and personalized landing page.
Using our WYSIWYG Landing Page Designer, you can design, create, build and launch your own PURLs without knowing any HTML or ever having designed a landing page before. Beyond that, we offer hundreds of pre-built templates for you to choose from. Once you’ve selected a template, you can customize it using the WYSIWYG editor and have a landing page ready to go in minutes for your upcoming campaign.
Q: I already have a domain; can I use that for my PURLs?
A: Yes, you can use an existing domain for your PURLs. However, we don’t recommend using URLs that are already in use for your website or other corporate destinations. This is for two main reasons, 1) to create a more targeted URL focused on the campaign itself (e.g. johnsmith.myautoloan.com instead of johnsmith.carltonmazda.com) and, 2) so there is no need for unnecessary approvals from corporate IT or management that can slow down setup.
Q: How do I setup my domain for use with PURLs?
A: Configuring your existing domain is simple and easy. All you need to do is to point the DNS to our servers and you’ll be good to go. For more specific instructions, go to Technical Docs and open our DNS Configuration Guide.
Q: Can I setup a secure login or code for my PURL?
A: Yes, PURLs can be configured to require visitors to enter a code, email address or some type of user verification information in order to access their PURL. This data would be included in your mailing file and automatically appended to the file you’ll receive back for your printing and mailing.
Q: Are PURLs expensive to use?
A: No, PURLs are not expensive to use. In fact, the increase in response/conversion PURLs provide make the one of the highest ROI generators (e.g. lowest cost per conversion) in any marketing campaign.
Like any media, the level of complexity plays a role in the overall cost, but a few things to consider are:
PURL costs are very minimal in comparison to direct mail or other “hard” media costs.
PURLs are transaction-based, so you purchase incrementally and pay as you go.
PURLs generate extremely high ROI when properly implemented in marketing campaigns
Personalized Landing pages can be cloned and easily reused for multiple campaigns (amortizing already low costs)
Considering their low cost (pennies) we recommend you try using PURLs in your next campaign and see how they boost your response and engagement rates so you can see for yourself.
OLDER FAQs - INBOUND MARKETING
Q: Can I prospect for inbound leads in Experiture?
A: Absolutely. You’ll notice the Inbound Marketing section within the main menu of your Experiture instance. In this area you’ll find all the tools you need for inbound marketing and lead generation. The Inbound Marketing section includes:
Landing Pages – Create, design and launch landing pages for your inbound marketing campaigns.
Form Builder – Create and style inbound web forms to embed on your web properties and capture leads. All Leads – The repository of leads you have captured through your inbound web forms, landing pages, etc.
Lead Analytics – Reporting for all leads you have captured through your inbound web forms, landing pages, etc.
Web Visitor Tracking – Add a pixel to your website to track visitors and identify current customers vs. new leads.
For additional information on creating forms, prospecting segments, landing pages and more, visit our How-To Guides section.
Q: How do I create inbound forms in Experiture?
A: To create an inbound form, simply go to the Main Menu, select Inbound Marketing, and finally, click on the Form Builder.
In the Form Builder, you can create new forms by simply clicking Add Form. From there you can use the intuitive interface and click to add fields, update the titles/text of those fields, choose which fields are required and save your from.
To style your form, you, or a web designer on your team, can use the HTML editor to style the form to fit your brand or campaign look and feel.
Once your form is created, you have a host of options including:
Edit/Delete – Edit your form fields, layout, etc. or delete your form.
Form Mapping – Map a form to form fields to your mailing list fields.
Embed Code – Code you will use to embed your form on any web property.
Add to Program – Add captured leads captured by your form into an existing program/campaign.
Alert – Setup an alert that will notify you based on form activity.
Redirect – Redirect users who fill out your form to an alternate web address.
Reports – Analytics based on form activity.
Launch – Make your form live when ready.
You can create as many forms as necessary for your marketing campaigns, and forms will also track the URL they are embedded on (when you are embedding the same form on multiple web pages).
Q: Am I able to add a form to my website or landing page?
A: Yes, and it is simple and easy. After you have created a form, you will see the , or embed icon on the newly created form in the Form Builder.
Clicking the < / > embed icon will open a window where you can copy the form embed code. This code will be implemented on your website to display your Experiture form.
As users complete this form, their submissions will appear under the All Leads section within Inbound Marketing.
Q: Can I upload a list for my lead prospecting/acquisition campaigns?
A: Yes, you can. Your prospecting leads can come from different sources including uploaded lists.
To upload a list, you will go into Targets and then Data Sources & Lists. From there you’ll select Add a List and upload your list following the prompts provided. From there you can add your list to your prospecting segment/view in one of two ways:
Upload your new list to an existing list that is being used as the source of your prospect segment/view.
Upload your list as a new list, then edit your existing prospect segment/view, add a new source and select your newly uploaded list as the new source.
Once you have appended your list to the appropriate prospect segment/view, the new targets will flow into the program and the program will send to them according to the preferences and schedule you have set.
Q: Can I create landing pages in Experiture, and where do I do it?
A: Landing pages are one of the cornerstones of online lead generation, and your Experiture instance comes fully equipped with all the tools you need to create and manage your landing pages.
There are two ways to create a landing page in Experiture.
Option 1: From Inbound Marketing
To create a landing page, simply go to Inbound Marketing and then to Landing Pages. Once there, select Add a Lead Page, give your page a name and choose which editor (pre-existing template, WYSIWYG, advanced designer) you would like to use to build it.
Option 2: From the Program Designer
You can add a landing page to any existing program simply by dragging it in from the Destinations panel on the left side of the screen. Once you drag it in, give your page a name and select OK. Next, select the Edit (pencil) icon and choose which editor (pre-existing template, WYSIWYG, advanced designer) you would like to use to build it.
Keep in mind that you have both the option for GURLs (General Landing Pages) or PURLs (Personalized Landing Pages) in Experiture. GURLs are typically used for prospecting/acquisition (when you may only know the email address or are using it as a destination from other media, e.g. Facebook ads), whereas PURLs are often used when you know your target by name and want to provide a more personalized experience.
Q: How do I connect my domain to landing pages I create (e.g. how do I setup my domain as a sub-domain)?
A: Setting up your domain to use with your landing pages is simple and easy.
If you are experienced at managing the DNS settings for your domain, then you’ll just need to update those to ns.rackspace.com and ns2.rackspace.com.
If you need additional instructions, see DNS Configuration and Custom Name Server Pointing technical doc where you’ll find the step-by-step instructions for setting up your domain.
How do I automatically trigger messages to prospects?
To setup ANY automated campaign, you’ll need to use a Dynamic Segment.
Segments come in two forms, Static or Dynamic. Static segments are designed for one-time sending of campaigns to specified list of targets based on pre-defined criteria. An example would be a monthly newsletter sent out once per month to anyone with a valid email address who has signed up for your mailing list.
A Dynamic segment is different in that it runs on a constant, repeating basis looking through your database for any prospects or members that meet the criteria. An example of this would be a birthday email that goes out to everyone in the database on their respective birthdays. This requires the segment poll the database daily pulling in any targets whose birthday matches “today”.
Dynamic segments are created in the same manner by going to Targets and then Segments, but instead of leaving the default Static set, change it to Dynamic under the Segment Properties. From there you can define your criteria, keeping the nature of dynamic segments in mind.
*Important Note: Dynamic segments will continue to run after your initial wave of messages has gone out. If you don’t want this to occur indefinitely, you can either pause your campaign, or set an end date so it will stop sending automatically.
Q: How do I know if a prospect lead isn’t already in my member database?
A: Using an advanced segment, you can use an alternate key field to dedupe your prospect list against your member database.
Most member databases use a member ID (or other custom field) as the key field. This assures that each member is individualized as other fields such as mailing address can be shared by multiple members. In the advanced segment, this field can be changed to Email address, or another key field used as secondary identifier.
Using the advanced segment with Email address as the alternate key field, you can dedupe your prospects against your main database. If the email address exists in your main database, they are then considered an existing member and automatically removed from the prospect segment. If the email address does not exist in the member database, they are considered a prospect, kept in the prospect segment and available for any campaigns that segment is attached to.
What happens when a lead converts to a member?
Similar to the process of deduping prospect leads by email address against the member database, new members are automatically deduped against the prospect database.
When a prospect signs up to become a member, they flow back into your Experiture instance with a Member ID (or another unique identifier) and are now considered an official member. Now you have two records, one with member ID and one without. When you have an advanced prospecting segment setup, all new members will be automatically deduped against it using email address. If the new member’s email appears in the prospect segment, they will be automatically removed as they are now considered a member.
This automatic dedupe process using alternate key fields allows you to freely prospect without worry that you’re converted members will continue to receive prospect communications from your automated campaigns. As they convert, they will be seen as a member and automatically removed from your prospecting segment.
Q: Can I setup automated lead nurturing and drip campaigns?
A: Yes, you can when using dynamic segments.
Dynamic segments run on a constant, repeating basis looking through your database for any prospects or members that meet the criteria. An example of this would be a birthday email that goes out to everyone in the database on their respective birthdays. This requires the segment poll the database daily pulling in any targets whose birthday matches “today”.
Whenever you want to setup automated campaigns, you will use Dynamic segments and attach these to your nurturing/drip campaigns. The dynamic segment will constantly poll your database to find any targets who match the criteria for your lead nurturing (dynamic) segment. When it finds matching targets, they will automatically be dropped into the attached campaign.
For more information, see How do I know if a prospect lead isn’t already in my member database?, and also What happens when a lead converts to a member?
Can my automated campaigns include multiple channels?
Yes, you can add as many channels and touches as you like in your automated campaigns (or any campaigns for that matter).
Statistics prove that all metrics show growth when marketing to prospects and members across multiple connected channels. Want to see 30% higher lifetime engagement from members? Over 9% increase in bottom line revenue and 23x better customer experience sound good to you? Using a true omni-channel approach in your campaigns can deliver this and more.
In your next campaign, try adding on a mobile Push component for all your mobile app users, or a social component to target your members on Facebook. Want to ensure your members see your communication? Nothing beats a well-timed SMS message with an email follow up.
And don’t forget about reminders! Instantly add reminders to all your offers by saving your email as a template, dragging in a second email component and choosing your saved template. A quick change to the subject line to let them know they will miss out if they don’t act and set it to trigger to anyone who did not open the original email. BAM! You just set up a reminder that can add percentages onto your campaign conversion in minutes.