Active or Inactive

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How to set automations to "Active" or "Inactive" in ActiveCampaign

Introduction

In ActiveCampaign, the ability to set automations to Active or Inactive is crucial for managing how contacts engage with your workflow. When you make an automation Active, it allows contacts to enter and move through the steps of the automation. Conversely, setting an automation to Inactive pauses it, preventing any new contacts from entering and halting any current operations. This feature ensures that you can control your marketing strategies and manage contact flows effectively.

How to Access This Feature

To access and manage your automation settings, you'll begin by navigating through the primary menu of your ActiveCampaign dashboard. From there, you can locate the specific automation you wish to update regarding its status.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Click Automations on the left menu to access the Automations overview page. 2. Find the automation you wish to update from the list displayed. 3. Click the Edit button located to the right of the selected automation. 4. On the Automation Builder page, you will see options to toggle the status to either Active or Inactive on the top right corner of the interface.

   *Note: Once you toggle the status, it will be highlighted and updated in the Automation Builder interface. For instance, if you set the automation to Inactive, this status will appear prominently at the top right corner, confirming the change.*

Configuration Options and Settings

When adjusting the status of your automation, you primarily work with two options: - Active: This option initiates the automation, allowing contacts to enter and progress through the workflow. - Inactive: Select this option to pause the automation, stopping any new contacts from entering and holding any currently running instance until the automation is set back to active.

Best Practices and Tips

- **Plan Activation Wisely**: Before switching an automation to Active, ensure that all components, such as triggers and actions, are thoroughly tested to prevent unexpected errors in the workflow. - **Regularly Review Automations**: Periodically check the status of your automations, especially those that are Inactive, to identify which are ready to be reactivated or revised. - **Use Notes**: Add notes to indicate why an automation is set to Inactive, especially if several team members have access to your ActiveCampaign account. This practice can improve transparency and communication regarding workflow management. - **Monitor Performance**: When an automation is Active, keep an eye on its performance to adjust triggers and actions based on engagement metrics and results.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Marketing Campaigns**: Utilize Active status for automations tied to ongoing marketing campaigns, allowing new leads to enter your funnel continuously. - **Lead Nurturing**: Set nurturing automations to Inactive during off-peak seasons or during changes to campaign strategies, ensuring your methodologies align with current marketing goals. - **Testing Phases**: When designing new automation workflows, keep them Inactive until thoroughly tested to ensure they function as intended before going live.

Troubleshooting Section

If you encounter issues with automations not behaving as expected: - **Automation Not Moving Contacts**: Ensure the automation is set to Active. Check for any triggers that may be preventing contacts from entering. - **No New Contacts**: If your automation is supposed to be capturing new leads but isn’t, confirm that it is marked Active and that there are no conflicting settings. - **Stuck Automations**: If existing contacts are stuck within the automation, set it back to Active to see if it resumes naturally. You may also review the automation for any steps that could be causing the hold-up.

Related Features

To get the most out of your ActiveCampaign experience, consider exploring related features: - Automation Triggers - Automation Actions - Tags - Segments

FAQ

Q1: What happens when I set an automation to Inactive? A1: When an automation is marked Inactive, contacts cannot enter it, and any currently running workflows will pause until it is activated again.

Q2: How do I know if my automation is Active or Inactive? A2: The current status is displayed prominently in the top right corner of the Automation Builder interface.

Q3: Can I reactivate an automation at any time? A3: Yes, you can switch an automation back to Active whenever you decide that it is ready to receive contacts again.

Q4: Is there a limit to how many automations I can have Active at the same time? A4: The number of automations you can have Active depends on your specific ActiveCampaign plan. Ensure you refer to your plan details for limitations.

Q5: What should I do if I accidentally set an automation to Inactive? A5: Simply go back to the Automation Builder and switch the status back to Active to resume normal operations.

Q6: Can I set many automations to Inactive at once? A6: Currently, settings for multiple automations must be managed individually; you cannot batch update their statuses.

Q7: Will pausing an automation affect my contacts’ experience? A7: Yes, pausing an automation means that any contacts currently in the workflow will be halted, and no new contacts will be able to enter until the automation is set back to Active.

By following the instructions and best practices outlined in this article, you can effectively manage the status of your automations within ActiveCampaign to optimize your marketing efforts.