Editing Add contacts (section)

= Add contacts to your ActiveCampaign account =

== Introduction ==
Adding contacts to your ActiveCampaign account is a foundational aspect of email marketing campaigns. This feature allows you to efficiently manage and grow your audience, ensuring that you can reach out to prospective customers effectively. Contacts can be added in various ways, including importing from a CSV file, manually entering details, or utilizing external integrations.

This guide will focus on different methods for adding contacts to your ActiveCampaign email marketing lists, explaining why each method is important and providing detailed instructions on how to do so.

== How to Access This Feature ==
To access the feature for adding contacts, log in to your ActiveCampaign account and navigate to the '''Contacts''' section. Here, you will find options to add contacts through various methods described in this article.

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==

=== 1. Import Contacts from a CSV File ===
If you are migrating from another email marketing provider and have a list of opted-in contacts in a CSV file, you can easily import them. Here’s how:
1. Prepare your CSV file ensuring that each contact has a unique identifier, either an '''email address''' or a '''phone number'''.
2. Use the import tool to upload the CSV file into your ActiveCampaign account.
3. Follow prompts to ensure correct mapping of fields.

*For more information on preparing your CSV file, refer to the ActiveCampaign documentation on [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006760900-How-to-prepare-your-CSV-file-for-importing-contacts-in-ActiveCampaign How to prepare your CSV file].*

=== 2. Manually Add One-off Contacts ===
To manually add a contact:
1. Navigate to the '''Contacts''' page by clicking '''Contacts''' in the left menu.
2. Click the '''Add a contact''' button.
3. A modal will open; complete the required fields and click '''Add'''.
4. On the next screen, you can select '''Contact Actions''', such as adding the contact to lists, tagging, or including them in automations.
5. Click the '''Add to Lists''' action and select the relevant lists for the contact.
6. Finally, click the '''Apply''' button.

=== 3. Create and Publish Subscription Forms ===
Utilizing the ActiveCampaign form builder, you can create subscription forms to collect contact information directly from your website, Facebook page, or even offline via the Forms for iPad app. To use this feature:
1. Create a form using the form builder.
2. Embed the form on your website or share the form link.
3. Ensure that Site Tracking is enabled if you wish to log visits from form submitters.

*For additional help on form creation, see [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000844344-How-to-create-a-form How to create a form].*

=== 4. Sync Contacts from Other Apps with Integrations ===
If you already have contacts managed in other applications, consider syncing these through integrations available within ActiveCampaign. Access the ActiveCampaign app marketplace to choose and set up the integrations that best suit your workflow.

=== 5. Subscribe by Email ===
Potential subscribers can opt-in by sending an email to an ActiveCampaign-generated email address. For guidance on setting this up, follow the instructions in the relevant documentation article.

=== 6. Subscribe by SMS ===
Enable potential subscribers to opt-in via SMS by sending a keyword to an ActiveCampaign-generated phone number. This is a seamless way to add contacts from mobile interactions, particularly effective for users on Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.

*Refer to the guide on [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001582184 How to use the subscribe by SMS opt-in method].*

=== 7. Import Contacts from an External Database ===
For users with a MySQL database, the Database Sync feature allows for manual imports without altering existing data. Note that MSSQL and PostgreSQL integrations can be implemented via Zapier.

*Learn more about using Database Sync by visiting [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000841130-Database-sync-for-importing-contacts the Database Sync documentation].*

=== 8. Import Contacts through the API ===
Developers can use the ActiveCampaign API to integrate contact management directly into their applications. Detailed information regarding the API is available in the ActiveCampaign documentation.

== Configuration Options and Settings ==
When adding contacts through any of the methods, be mindful of the configurations such as:
- **Email and Phone Number**: Ensure each contact has a unique email address or phone number.
- **Tags and Lists**: Decide which lists to add contacts to and what tags will be useful for segmenting contacts later.
- **Opt-in Type**: Determine whether to use **single opt-in** or **double opt-in** based on your marketing strategy.

== Best Practices and Tips ==
- Always ensure that contacts are opted-in to adhere to email marketing regulations and best practices.
- Regularly update your contact lists to remove unengaged or unsubscribed users to maintain list hygiene.
- Make use of tagging and segmentation to personalize your email marketing efforts effectively and to boost engagement.
- Take advantage of the tracking and analytics provided by ActiveCampaign to gauge the effectiveness of your contact acquisition strategies.

== Troubleshooting ==
If you encounter any issues while adding contacts:
- Verify that the CSV format aligns with ActiveCampaign’s requirements.
- Ensure that there are no duplicate email addresses or phone numbers in your lists.
- Review integration settings if syncing contacts from third-party applications fails.

== FAQ ==
=== Q1: How do I add contacts from a different email platform? ===
A1: You can import contacts using a CSV file format or sync them through integrations available in the ActiveCampaign app marketplace.

=== Q2: What are the opt-in options available when adding contacts? ===
A2: You can choose between **single opt-in** or **double opt-in** methods for adding contacts through forms or other methods.

=== Q3: Can I manually add contacts one at a time? ===
A3: Yes, you can manually add individual contacts by navigating to the '''Contacts''' page and using the '''Add a contact''' option.

=== Q4: Is there an option to subscribe through SMS? ===
A4: Yes, the subscribe by SMS method is available for Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans, allowing contacts to opt-in via text messages.

=== Q5: What formats can I use when importing contacts? ===
A5: You can import contacts from a CSV file, from external databases through Database Sync, or using the ActiveCampaign API.

=== Q6: How do I ensure my contacts remain compliant with regulations? ===
A6: Make sure to collect explicit consent from contacts before adding them to your lists, using either opt-in methods provided by ActiveCampaign.

=== Q7: What should I do if I get an error when importing contacts? ===
A7: Check your CSV file for formatting issues, ensure unique identifiers for each contact, and refer to the import guidelines provided in the documentation.

For a more detailed overview and additional resources, please refer to ActiveCampaign’s comprehensive documentation on contact management practices.
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