SharpSpring provides ways for you to create powerful automations based on your lead behaviors. Automations in SharpSpring are composed of workflows and action groups, which themselves are composed of various actions or events. This article will provide an overview on action groups.
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The Visual Editor
The Visual Editor shows how action groups are configured, as well as the logic that defines the group as a whole. This is done by way of a workflow. Every trigger, action, filter, and the like are on full display in how they interact with one another. As such, the Visual Editor allows you to create action groups in a point-and-click fashion in real time. |
Creating Action Groups
SharpSpring allows you to create standalone reusable visual action groups. With reusable visual action groups, you do not have to continuously recreate common action groups. SharpSpring's Visual Editor allows you to create these reusable action groups. SharpSpring recommends using the Visual Editor when creating action groups.
To create action groups using SharpSpring's Visual Editor, do the following:
Setting up Actions
Once you have created the blank action group, you will need to add and set actions and options in order for it to function.
To set actions for an action group, do the following:
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When creating action groups and setting actions, consider the following:
- Action groups can be set as reusable. Reusable action groups are a collection of standalone events that can be referenced within a visual workflow or be manually scheduled to a list.
- Action groups can have multiple branches. Branches refer to a collection of actions created for use only within a visual workflow. As the name implies, this collection of actions branch out from the action group and are dependent upon additional criteria in order to function. This means that action groups can be complex and have multiple branches stemming from a single action.
- Branches are not action groups. Branches will not be added as reusable, standalone action groups.
Available Branch Options
When setting actions, the following options are available when creating action group branches:
Option | Description | |
Actions |
The available actions. |
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Triggers |
Starts a branch from the initial action group. |
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Filters |
Criteria that must be fulfilled before moving on to actions. |
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Time Delay |
Sets a time delay for actions. |
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Action Groups |
Multiple actions previously constructed together as a group. |
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Yes/No Branching filters |
Evaluates if specified criteria are met or not, then filters down to their own Yes and No action groups. |
Navigating Action Groups
Once created, you can view action groups in the Action Groups menu. Click Automation > Action Groups in SharpSpring's left toolbar to access the Action Groups menu and navigate its features.
Filter Menus
The Automation Action Groups page offers many different viewing options in that you can filter your various action groups.
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Folders
The folders state how many action groups they house and are useful to keep action groups organized as your account grows. Clicking on a folder opens the folder and displays all associated action groups. By default, the Miscellaneous folder is open and displays all action groups inside. Folders will display only active or inactive action groups, but not both at once.
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Action Groups Information
The Automation Action Groups page displays information associated with action groups. When viewing action groups in a folder, the following information is displayed:
In addition, visual action groups are listed under Workflows. If an action group is attached to a workflow the word will appear blue. Clicking these blue words will open a pop-up window detailing what the action group is a part of.
When comparing visual and repeatable action groups at-a-glance, consider the following: |
Options
The |
Deactivating and Activating Action Groups
You cannot delete action groups. You can, however, deactivate and activate them at any time. Deactivated action groups will not fire their actions and will be disabled, while being placed in a collection of other deactivated action groups.
To deactivate or activate an active action group, do the following:
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Removing Contacts from Action Groups
To prevent actions from a scheduled action group from occurring, the contact must be removed from the action group. To remove contacts from action groups, do the following: |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Make this action group available in the Contact Manager option?
A: This option allows you to add contacts to this action group directly from their contact profile.
Q: What is the Make this action group repeatable option?
A: This option allows for the lead to go through this action group more than once.
Q: What happens to leads who enter automation before actions are added or removed?
A: When a lead enters an action group and you add or delete actions from that action group, the changes will not reflect upon that lead. This is because when a lead enters the action group, the events present at that time will write to the lead's individual contact record. Additional actions or edits will not occur for those leads.