Custom deal field overview

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Custom Deal Field Overview

Custom deal fields in ActiveCampaign are a powerful feature that allows users to capture and manage important information related to deals within their sales pipeline. By defining specific custom fields, teams can gain deeper insights into their deals, tailor communications, and enhance overall efficiency in sales processes. This customization not only aids in organizing data but also ensures that relevant deal-specific information can be included in outgoing emails, allowing for more personalized communication.

Why This Matters

With Custom Deal Fields, users can create fields that are specific to their business needs, ensuring that critical information is always at hand. This capability aligns with effective deal management and helps in decision-making processes by allowing for better tracking and segmentation of deals.

How to Access This Feature

To begin working with custom deal fields in ActiveCampaign, users need to have administrative permissions or sufficient access rights to create and manage fields. Access is provided through the interface as follows:

1. To access the custom deal fields, click on Deals in the left navigation menu. 2. From there, click on Fields to manage your custom deal fields.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating a Field Group

Field groups organize custom fields. Here’s how to create one:

1. Navigate to the Manage Fields page:

  - Click on Deals > Fields 
  - Alternatively, click on Contacts > Fields and select the Deals tab.

2. Click the Add Group button. 3. A modal window will appear. Enter the name of the group in the provided field. 4. Click the Create button. The new group will appear at the bottom of the Fields page.

Creating a Custom Deal Field

To create a custom deal field, follow these steps:

1. Again, access the Manage Fields page. 2. Click the Add Field button. 3. An Add Field modal will open. Key in the field name. 4. Use the Group dropdown to select the relevant group for the field. 5. From the Field Type dropdown, select the type of custom field you want to create (e.g., text input, dropdown menu). 6. If your chosen field type requires answer options (dropdown, list box, radio buttons, check boxes), make sure to provide them. 7. Click the Add button to finalize the creation.

Updating a Custom Deal Field Value

Custom deal field values can be updated easily in two major ways:

• Manually from the Deal Record:*

1. Click on the deal you'd like to work with. 2. Hover over the field you wish to update and click the edit (pencil) icon. 3. Type or choose the new value. 4. Click the Save Changes button to ensure the updates are saved.

• Using Automation:*

1. Click on Automations from the left menu. 2. Select the automation you want to edit by clicking Edit. 3. Drag the CRM > Update Custom Field action into your automation workflow. 4. In the modal, select the field to update and input the new value as needed. 5. Save your changes.

Editing or Deleting a Custom Deal Field

You can edit and delete custom deal fields through the following steps:

• Editing:*

1. Go to the Manage Fields page. 2. Hover over the field you wish to edit and select Edit. 3. Modify the field options as required and click the Save button.

• Deleting:*

1. On the Manage Fields page, hover over the field you want to delete. 2. Click the trash icon. 3. Confirm the deletion in the modal that appears by selecting checkboxes and clicking the Delete button.

Configuration Options and Settings

When creating custom deal fields, it's important to understand the available field types which include:

• Text input: Short single-line text input.
• Text area: Multi-line text input for larger data.
• Number: Numeric values, allowing for decimal points.
• Money: Monetary values, selectable with a currency.
• Date: Allowing selection or typing of specific dates.
• Dropdown menu: Predefined single-choice options.
• List box: Multiple-choice options via shift-click.
• Radio button: Similar to dropdowns but displayed differently.
• Check box(es): Select multiple answers.
• Hidden field: Invisible text fields in forms.

Best Practices and Tips

- **Organize custom fields** effectively by using field groups to maintain clarity in data handling. - Regularly update and clean up custom deal fields to keep the data relevant and accurate. - Use custom deal fields in conjunction with segment builders for effective targeted marketing and outreach. - Inform your team about the newly created or updated fields to ensure everyone utilizes them correctly.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Lead Qualification**: Use a custom field to capture lead qualification status (e.g., hot, cold, nurtured). - **Service Tracking**: Track services offered to a deal in a custom field, allowing for better follow-up. - **Advertising Sources**: Record how leads discovered your service (e.g., email, social media).

Troubleshooting Section

- If you notice that a saved custom field value isn’t appearing:

 * Ensure you clicked the Save Changes button after updates.
 * Verify that the field is correctly associated with the deal and is not a standard field that’s restricted.
 

- If custom field values aren't appearing in your emails:

 * Confirm you are using the correct personalization tags for fields.
 * Check if the field has a value saved for the contact associated with the deal.

Related Features

- Deals: Understand how to manage your overall deal lifecycle. - Automations: Learn how to automate processes that involve custom deal fields. - Personalization Tags: Explore broader applications of personalization in email campaigns.

FAQ

1. How many custom deal fields can I create?

You can create an unlimited number of custom fields for your deals.

2. Can I delete a standard deal field?

No, standard deal fields cannot be deleted, only custom fields can be removed.

3. What happens to my data if I delete a custom deal field?

All data contained in the deleted custom field will be permanently removed and cannot be restored.

4. Can I group custom fields by type?

Yes, you can create custom field groups to organize fields by type or category for easier access.

5. Are custom deal fields available in incoming automations?

Yes, custom deal fields can be utilized and updated within automation actions.

6. How do I include a custom deal field in my emails?

Use the relevant personalization tag associated with your custom field to include it in campaigns and automations.

7. Can custom deal fields be used in forms?

No, at this time, custom deal fields cannot be added to forms.

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