Use custom objects with automations

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Automations > Use custom objects with automations

Use Custom Objects with Automations

With ActiveCampaign, you can harness the power of custom object data to enhance your automations. This functionality allows you to create workflows tailored to your specific business needs and to provide a more customized experience for your customers. In this article, we will explore how to use custom objects within automations, the available triggers, and the best practices for implementation.

Introduction

Custom objects are a powerful feature within ActiveCampaign that enable you to store and manage data relevant to your business processes. When integrated with automations, custom objects allow for dynamic customer interactions based on real-time data changes. This capability is particularly useful for tracking interactions that involve unique data points not covered by standard contact fields, thus improving your automation's efficiency and relevance.

How to Access This Feature

To begin using custom objects with automations in ActiveCampaign, you first need to create a contact custom object. This can be accomplished through the ActiveCampaign API or your account’s Manage Data page. Note that all ActiveCampaign plans have access to custom objects via supported applications and integrations that import a custom object. However, to utilize these automations effectively, ensure that you are on the Enterprise plan.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Using the "[Custom object] Created" Trigger

This trigger initiates an automation when a custom object is created for a contact. To configure this trigger, follow these steps:

1. Click on Automations to navigate to the Automation Overview page.
2. Click Edit for the automation you wish to update, or click Create an automation.
3. Select Add a start trigger.
4. In the Select a Trigger modal, click Objects > select your preferred object > select [Custom object] Created.
5. A modal window will appear for configuration. Click the Segment option.
6. The modal expands to show the segment builder, where you can filter who enters the automation based on custom object fields. After configuring, click Save.

Using the "[Custom object] Updated" Trigger

This trigger starts an automation when a specified field of a custom object is updated. To configure, do the following:

1. Navigate to the Automations page and select your target automation.
2. Click Edit or create a new automation.
3. Select Add a start trigger.
4. From the Select a Trigger modal, choose Objects > select your object > select [Custom object] Updated.
5. Configure the trigger in the next modal:

  * Select the custom object field (either a specific field or "Any").
  * If a specific field is chosen, define the "From" and "To" values.
  * Select whether the automation runs once or multiple times.
  * Optionally segment contacts to further refine who enters the automation.

1. After configuration, click Save.

Configuration Options and Settings

When setting up custom object triggers, the following options are available:

• All [Custom object] records - Runs the automation whenever any record for the specified custom object is created.
• Segment [Custom object] records - Allows you to specify filters for more control over who enters your automation.

Other important settings include:

• You can only use one trigger for your automation. If a trigger is in use, it cannot be combined with other triggers.
• Automation can have contacts manually added if it features a Custom Object trigger.
• Personalization tags can be used in actions for custom objects referencing the currently active trigger.

Best Practices and Tips

1. Always ensure you are clear on the specific custom object fields to use to maintain automation accuracy. 2. Take advantage of segmentation to ensure targeted responses based on custom object changes. 3. Regularly review and update your custom object schemas through the ActiveCampaign API or Manage Data page. 4. Consider how custom object updates could impact your customer experience and adjust workflows accordingly.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues when setting up or executing automations with custom objects, consider the following:

- Verify that your custom objects are properly created and synced within your ActiveCampaign account. - Ensure you are only using one custom object trigger per automation to avoid conflicts. - Double-check segmentation rules and conditions to confirm contacts meet criteria for entering the automation.

Related Features

- Automations – Learn more about automations in ActiveCampaign. - Custom Objects – Understanding how to create and manage custom objects. - API Reference – Explore how to use the API for advanced custom object schema management.

FAQ

Q1: What are custom objects in ActiveCampaign? A1: Custom objects allow users to store data specific to their business processes, enabling more personalized workflows.

Q2: Do I need an Enterprise plan to use custom objects with automations? A2: Yes, the functionality of using custom objects with automations is available only on the Enterprise plan.

Q3: Can I use multiple triggers in the same automation? A3: No, you can only use one trigger per automation. If a custom object trigger is in place, no other triggers can be added.

Q4: How can I manually add contacts to an automation that uses a custom object trigger? A4: You can manually add contacts to an automation if it has a Custom Object trigger configured.

Q5: What happens if I configure a segmentation criteria incorrectly? A5: Incorrect segmentation criteria may prevent the automation from triggering for the intended contacts. Always verify your segment conditions.

Q6: Is there functionality for Deal and Account custom objects with automations? A6: No, automation triggers for Deal and Account custom objects are currently not available.

Q7: Can I personalize messages using custom object fields? A7: Yes, custom object fields can be utilized to personalize messages in various automation actions, including emails and SMS messages.

For more detailed guidance on how to use custom objects and automations, please refer to the relevant articles in the ActiveCampaign help center. ```