Update: Date/Time Conditions

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Update: Date/Time Conditions

Introduction

The Update: Date/Time Conditions feature in ActiveCampaign is a significant enhancement that allows users to manage their automation workflows with more precision and flexibility concerning timing. This update, which has been highly requested by users, streamlines the process of configuring date and time conditions in automations, improving usability and reducing the potential for errors. Understanding this feature is essential for users aiming to optimize their marketing strategies using automation.

How to Access the Feature

You can access the updated Date/Time Conditions by navigating to the automation section within your ActiveCampaign account. Once there, you can create or edit an existing automation to utilize the revamped date/time condition builder.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Log in** to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Navigate to the **Automations** section from the dashboard. 3. Select an existing automation or click on **Create an automation** to start a new workflow. 4. In the automation builder, look for the option to add a new condition. 5. Choose **Date/Time conditions** from the selection menu. 6. The updated interface provides a unified selection where you can set:

  - Timezone
  - Month
  - Date
  - Year
  - Time

7. Fill in the required fields according to your needs—select the timeframe in which you want the automation to trigger or wait. 8. Click on **Save** to apply the new conditions to your automation workflow.

Existing automations that utilized the previous date/time conditions remain functional. Users can choose to update these automations manually to take advantage of the new features.

Configuration Options and Settings

The enhanced Date/Time Conditions feature provides several options, making it easier to customize workflows: - **Unified date/time condition selection**: Users can configure the date and time parameters in one consolidated interface. - **Expanded date/time range**: The capability to manage timezones and various date components—month, date, year, and time—within a single setup.

This integration streamlines the process, saving users valuable time when configuring their automations.

Best Practices and Tips

- When setting up date/time conditions, ensure that you accurately select the **timezone** to prevent errors in workflow timing. - Utilize the expanded options for more complex workflows that may require intricate timing configurations to capture specific audiences at pivotal moments. - Regularly review automations using the previous date/time conditions to incorporate the improved settings and enhance workflow performance.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Event Reminders**: Use the updated conditions to trigger automation emails reminding contacts of an upcoming event, ensuring the emails arrive at the right moment based on their timezone. - **Birthday Campaigns**: Set automations to deliver birthday coupons or messages right as the individual’s birthday approaches, maximizing engagement. - **Subscription Renewals**: Automatically send reminders for renewing services or subscriptions at predetermined dates and times, improving customer retention.

Troubleshooting

- If you encounter issues with conditions not working as expected, ensure that the selected timezone aligns with the audience’s location. - Check that all necessary fields have been filled correctly within the conditions to avoid automation errors. - Revert to previous settings if any new changes cause conflict with existing workflows.

Related Features

- To learn more about the automation processes, refer to the Automations section. - For a deeper understanding of using date and time conditions in various automations, see the additional resource mentioned below.

FAQ

Q1: What happens to my existing automations using date/time conditions? A1: Existing automations remain functional as they are. Users can opt to update these settings manually to use the new builder.

Q2: How do I set specific time conditions in my automation? A2: The updated interface allows you to configure specific time conditions by selecting the desired fields for timezone, month, date, year, and time.

Q3: Is this feature available on all ActiveCampaign plans? A3: Yes, the Update: Date/Time Conditions feature is available on all ActiveCampaign plans including Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise.

Q4: Can I revert to the old date/time condition settings? A4: Once you update your automations to use the new settings, you cannot revert. However, existing automations using the old settings will continue to function unchanged.

Q5: What if I need further assistance with automations? A5: You can visit the ActiveCampaign support center or refer to the Automations documentation for further assistance.

Q6: How will the new update save me time? A6: The unified condition selection minimizes the steps needed when setting up automations, thus reducing setup time and the likelihood of errors associated with multiple settings.

Q7: Can this feature help in creating more complex workflows? A7: Yes, the expanded flexibility with date/time configurations allows for more sophisticated and customized automation workflows, catering to specific needs.

Additional Resources

- [How to set date/time conditions for automations to trigger or wait until a specific date/time?](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000150610-How-to-add-wait-steps-after-emails-in-an-automation) - [How to start an automation on a date or time?](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/224231787-Start-an-automation-on-a-date-or-time#h_01J8356PR4Z6E2GBEZA0BS3JA1) ```