How to Send a Test Email and SMS

Overview

There are two common ways to “test” messaging in BizStackPro: sending a quick test from a template builder, or running a real contact through a workflow. Both are useful—but they don’t always behave the same way.

Part 1: Test a Workflow as a Contact (Recommended)

This method shows exactly what a lead will receive because it uses a real contact record and executes your workflow steps in order.

Step 1: Add yourself as a test contact

• Go to Contacts.
• Create a new contact for yourself.
• Important: Use a different email/phone than your BizStackPro login (recommended for clean testing).

Step 2: Enroll the contact into the workflow

• Open the workflow you want to test.
• Use Add Workflow / Add to Workflow.
• Select your test contact.
• Leave the event date blank (unless your workflow requires one).
• Click Add to enroll the contact.

If you don’t receive the test message

1. Confirm the workflow is published and the contact is enrolled.
2. Open the contact record and review activity to see if the step sent, failed, or is waiting.
3. If SMS didn’t arrive: verify your phone/SMS configuration and confirm the number format is correct.
4. If email didn’t arrive: check spam/junk, then verify your sending configuration and domain authentication.

Part 2: Send a Test Email From the Email Template Builder

Test emails are helpful for checking design, layout, subject line, and sender details. However, some custom values may appear blank because the send isn’t always tied to a real contact record.

Step-by-step

1. Go to Marketing → Emails → Templates.
2. Select the template you want to test.
3. Click the three dots menu (top-right).
4. Select Test Email.
5. Enter your From, To, and Subject details.
6. Click Send Test Email.

Reminder: Custom values like {{contact.name}} may not populate in a test send. Use workflow testing for a true personalization preview.

Troubleshooting Test Email and SMS Issues