Creating workflows in your CRM is essential for streamlining tasks, but how do you ensure they perform as intended before launching them to your entire contact list? Testing is a vital step in the workflow creation process. By simulating live conditions, testing lets you see how your workflows will operate, helping you identify and correct errors before they impact your audience.

This guide explains why testing matters and walks you through a straightforward method for conducting accurate workflow tests.

Create a Test Contact #

To get started, navigate to the “Contacts” section of the CRM, and under the Smart Lists tab click on the “+” icon to create a new contact entry for yourself, including any relevant details that your workflow will utilize (e.g., name, phone number).

Add Your Test Contact To a Workflow #

In the newly created contact, scroll to the “Active workflows” section within your test contact’s profile, click “Add,” and select the workflow you wish to test from the dropdown menu. You can either start the workflow immediately by leaving the start time blank or schedule it for a later time by selecting a specific start time. Click “Add” to officially enroll your test contact into the workflow.

Evaluate The Workflow #

Within the workflow you’re testing, pay close attention to personalized data by checking whether names, dates, or other custom fields populate correctly, as well as triggers and actions, by confirming all automated steps occur as expected. This hands-on approach helps you identify and fix potential issues before your workflow goes live.

If the workflow triggers and actions are firing properly, in the Enrollment history tab you will find the test contact you added to this particular workflow.

Testing workflows is a critical step to ensure your CRM automation functions seamlessly. By creating a test contact and experiencing the workflow firsthand, you can confidently launch workflows that meet your objectives and provide a smooth experience for your contacts.

Troubleshooting Tips #

• Personalized Data Not Populating: Double-check that the test contact’s profile includes all required details for personalization.
• Workflow Not Activating: Ensure the workflow is set to active. The system will prompt you to activate it during testing if it’s inactive.

Frequently Asked Questions #

Why is testing a workflow important? #

Testing simulates live conditions so you can confirm triggers, actions, and personalization work correctly and catch errors before the workflow reaches your real contacts.

How do I create a test contact? #

In the Contacts section under the Smart Lists tab, click the “+” icon and create a contact entry for yourself, including any fields your workflow will use such as name and phone number.

How do I enroll the test contact into a workflow? #

Open the test contact’s profile, scroll to “Active workflows,” click Add, select the workflow, choose to start now or at a scheduled time, and click Add to enroll.

What should I check while evaluating the test? #

Confirm that personalized data (names, dates, custom fields) populates correctly and that every trigger and action fires as expected as the contact moves through the workflow.

How do I confirm the workflow ran for my test contact? #

Open the Enrollment history tab; if triggers and actions fired properly, your test contact will appear there for that workflow.

Can I test without creating a test contact? #

You can use the “Send Test” feature, but creating a real test contact gives a more accurate representation of the live workflow experience.

My personalized fields aren’t showing during the test. What’s wrong? #

Make sure the test contact’s profile contains all the details required for personalization, since missing data leaves those merge fields empty.