How to run tests in Webmecanik Automation ?

Testing your workflows before going live is the best way to double-check your content, verify your scenario logic, and ensure a seamless experience for your contacts.

Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up fast and reliable tests.

1. Create Your Test Contacts (and the Magic of Email Aliases)

To validate your sends, you need at least one contact whose inbox you control.

• Basic Setup: Create a contact manually using your own email address. Only fill in mandatory fields or those used in your email templates. To test SMS delivery, add a phone number in international format (e.g., +33600000000).

• The Alias Trick: To test different branches of a scenario without managing multiple email accounts, use the + alias trick in Gmail or Outlook:

  • Main address: john.doe@company.com

  • Test contact A: john.doe+1@company.com

  • Test contact B: john.doe+2@company.com

💡 Webmecanik Automation will treat these as separate contacts, but all messages will land in the exact same inbox.

2. Set Up a Dedicated Test Segment

To isolate your test sends and keep your real leads unaffected:

1. Create a static segment (with no filters).

2. Give it a clear name (e.g., [TEST] - Internal Segment).

3. Add your test contacts to the segment directly from their contact profile (Preferences tab).

3. Test Your Emails: Prefer Cloning Over "Send Example"

The "Send Example" option is quick, but it has a major drawback: tokens (custom fields) and dynamic content will not be rendered.

To get a 100% accurate preview:

1. Clone the email you want to test.

2. Rename it clearly (e.g., [TEST] Launch Email).

3. Change the email type to Segment Email and assign your test segment.

4. Trigger the send.

5. Wait for the automated task to execute (allow about 10 minutes depending on cron job schedules).

4. Validate Your Automated Campaigns

To test an automated sequence, you can either:

• Build a short campaign from scratch to test a specific action or condition.

• Duplicate an existing campaign to run it safely in a test environment.

5. The 3 Golden Rules of Testing

🕵️‍♂️ 1. Incognito Mode is MANDATORY for Tracking Clicks

If you are logged into your Webmecanik Automation account in your browser, your link clicks will not be tracked in your statistics. The platform intentionally ignores activity from logged-in application users.

The solution: Always copy links from your test emails and open them in an incognito / private browsing window (or a different browser). This also prevents cookie conflict errors.

⚠️ 2. NEVER Edit an Active Campaign

Never add or remove elements in a campaign that is currently live in production. Doing so can trap contacts mid-workflow or cause unpredictable errors.

🧹 3. Clean Up After Testing

Once your tests are complete, delete or archive your test emails, segments, and campaigns. This keeps your platform clean and prevents confusion during future campaigns.