Test your automation

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Automations > test your automation

How to Test Your Automation

Introduction

Testing your automation in ActiveCampaign is a critical step to ensure that all components function as intended. Automations are designed to interact with your contacts based on specific triggers and actions; thus, verifying that these processes work correctly is essential. By creating a test contact and sending them through the automation, you can identify potential issues and rectify them before involving your actual contacts.

How to Access this Feature

To access the feature for testing your automation, you will need to log in to your ActiveCampaign account and navigate to the Contacts section. From there, you can create a test contact and begin the process of testing your automation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to test your automation effectively:

1. Click on Contacts in the main navigation menu.
2. Locate and click the Add a contact button.
3. Fill in the new contact record form with your test contact’s information. Ensure that you use contact methods, such as an email address or phone number, that you have access to, as this will help you accurately assess the automation's outcome.
4. Scroll down to the Automations section of the contact record. Click the + Add button to begin the automation testing process.
5. Add your test contact to your desired automation and follow the automation steps to evaluate its functionality.

Configuration Options and Settings

While testing your automation, be mindful of the following important points:

• Test Contact Info: It's crucial that the information for your test contact is accurate and accessible to you.
• Automation Steps: Ensure that your test contact is subjected to all steps in the automation that you want to test.

Best Practices and Tips

• To effectively test your automation, consider the following best practices:

 * Use clear contact methods when creating the test contact to ensure that you can receive communications sent through the automation.
 * When testing actions that involve conditions (such as opening a previous campaign or submitting a form), ensure the test contact has done those actions to meet the specified conditions accurately.
 * Try skipping the wait steps for the test contact. You can learn how to do this by visiting the documentation on how to skip wait steps when testing an automation. 
 * If you want to test a specific path within your automation, start the test contact at that specific point for targeted testing.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while testing your automation, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Verify that the test contact information is correct and that you have access to it.
• Check if the test contact has performed the necessary actions required for the automation's conditions.
• Ensure that the automation is published and active.

Common Use Cases with Examples

Here are some common scenarios where testing automations is beneficial:

• **Onboarding New Customers**: By creating a test contact, you can ensure that the onboarding emails are triggered correctly and received by the contact.
• **Lead Nurturing Campaigns**: Confirm that leads receive appropriate content based on their actions (like clicking a link or responding to a survey).
• **Event Follow-ups**: Use test contacts to verify that follow-up messages and reminders are sent after an event interaction.

FAQ

1. Why is it important to test my automation?

Testing your automation ensures that everything functions correctly before deploying it to your actual contacts, preventing potential issues that could impact engagement.

2. Can I use any email to create a test contact?

You should use an email address or contact method that you have access to for verification purposes.

3. How do I skip wait steps for the test contact?

To skip wait steps, refer to the documentation on how to skip wait steps when testing an automation.

4. Can I test a specific part of the automation?

Yes, you can start a test contact at a specific point in an automation for more targeted testing.

5. What happens if my test contact does not meet the action conditions?

If the test contact does not meet the action conditions, the automation will not proceed to the next step for that contact.

6. How often should I test my automation?

It is advisable to test automations regularly, especially after making changes to ensure everything continues to function as expected.

7. Where can I learn more about testing automated campaigns?

You can learn more about testing automated campaigns by visiting the relevant documentation.

={Template:!-- NOTE: The following section includes additional resources as links, but is not directly part of the article structure --

Additional Resources

• For more on skipping wait steps, visit How do I skip wait steps when testing an automation?
• To learn about automated campaigns, refer to How to test automated campaigns.

```