7 Replies Latest reply: Oct 24, 2014 1:02 PM by JohnSSmith RSS

    Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?

    JohnSSmith Community Member
    JohnSSmith Oct 20, 2014 5:17 PM

      I think this is outside what BC can do, but ask if anyone else has done something similar.

       

      User fills in webform and receives an automated email.

       

      1) Can that automated email have an attachment? Does not seem possible, and I would prefer not to have a link.

       

      2) I would like the workflow to then send a further email in say one weeks time.

       

      And then a further email in say 2 weeks time

       

      In wan to edit the sender and the subject and both may or may not have an attachment.

       

      Now I can see that workflow does have the ability to actually send an email (that has been specifically scripted) to the user, but not change the sender or the subject.

       

      I am I wrong, and it can be done?

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        • 1. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
          JohnSSmith Community Member
          JohnSSmith Oct 21, 2014 4:34 PM (in response to JohnSSmith)

          hmmm no answer

           

          All this can be done in other mailing systems, getresponse, mailchimp for example, so it does raise the question is why BC is so expensive when it comes to sending larger amounts of email.

          • 2. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
            Liam Dilley CommunityMVP
            Liam Dilley Oct 21, 2014 5:20 PM (in response to JohnSSmith)

            But can you build an eCommerce website with mailchimp John? They are dedicated, focused applications to do one job. So of course all the avenues around that they will develop.

             

            But...

             

            1. You can not have an attachment but you can put a download link in.

            2. To send someone a further email is easy and something you can do in BC. You just need to send a campaign series for example with email campaigns Or you can set up the workflow system on a more basic for to fire off notifications to users and admin based on time and esculate them to different roles. It depends on what you want but you have two aspects of BC that can do this and be quite complicated. Since you can also add anniversary dates to forms and set those dates based on anything you want, email campaigns can be made to trigger on those dates as well. You also have the email campaign ability to automate and email every week for example.

             

            So while I did make that comment about dedicated services, in your case, you can create something to offer what your after in BC.

            • 3. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
              JohnSSmith Community Member
              JohnSSmith Oct 21, 2014 8:23 PM (in response to Liam Dilley)

              Liam  - thanks for replying

               

              Also that's the answer -

              Liam Dilley wrote:

               

              But can you build an eCommerce website with mailchimp John? They are dedicated, focused applications to do one job. So of course all the avenues around that they will develop.

               

              I have hinted at this problem, and only just realised it myself. BC is a great eCommerce platform, but it is not how it was originally marketed and still is - Business Catalyst (BC) is an all-in-one business website and online marketing solution.

               

              I have continued to try and use BC for other types of businesses, not relevant to having eCommerce, and it just keeps failing to have that little extra that makes it work. You may remember me saying that it seems to have no business development behind it. I was wrong, however the development is a little more focused on eCommerce than I realised.

               

              I have decided to write out a list when I get time that highlights the small changes needed, that would open BC up to other industries/businesses. Whether anybody wants to look at that type of thing is another matter.

               

              On the email side  - Yes it can, but with an expected 200 to 300K emails a month, I need more automation than that (and something a little cheaper), so your point about dedicated services is relevant.

               

              Thanks Liam

              • 4. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
                Liam Dilley CommunityMVP
                Liam Dilley Oct 22, 2014 12:50 AM (in response to JohnSSmith)

                But BC has never stated it is toe to toe as good as the other systems, it will always get better in every area but no such system has ever done all in one as good as things dedicated to those tacks.

                People assume incorrectly what all in one actually means, And I think BC themselves have in the passed as well.

                You have email marketing tapping into your CRM without going elsewhere, directly into the system, you can make sales funnels based on eCommerce that then fire off marketing campaigns all in the same system - This is very powerful. This is what we at Pretty home BC starts expanding on, harnessing these triggers and abilities within the scope of one system to do a lot more then mailchimp could ever do.

                Do your list but email me - liam AT prettydigital.com.au - I can let you know if they are already on the cards, if you can do them already or BC are already aware of them for you. I woudl bet most on your list would already be covered or known or requested (most of the time they are) But you would get a quicker response then you would to BC.

                • 5. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
                  Liam Dilley CommunityMVP
                  Liam Dilley Oct 22, 2014 12:51 AM (in response to Liam Dilley)

                  Opps, hit submit... I was going to say, because they really busy but if you want some feedback I can help on that.

                  • 6. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
                    JohnSSmith Community Member
                    JohnSSmith Oct 24, 2014 4:56 AM (in response to JohnSSmith)

                    Thanks Liam, will do so.

                     

                    I hear what you are saying, its just I see so many areas where some very small to medium changes would enhance BC exponentially. I mean in workflow, why not have a proper email editor with a saved email that is attached to a workflow item, rather than that small text area.

                    That alone would open BC up to so many more businesses. Copywriters I am talking to say BC can't do what I want, yet -

                     

                    At the moment I am fudging it with a campaign triggered after an anniversary date, but I have to add an INPUT Anniversary date field, hidden by CSS, with javascript to input a date (which has to be formatted the same as the BC Date picker) so when a user enters their data, I have an anniversary date, to trigger a follow up email. LOL seriously - I then I have to put up with poor webformresults showing the anniversary date and title, plus a case number I just don't want. And on that I have asked this Webform Redirect

                     

                    Thanks

                    • 7. Re: Webform Submission with extra delayed automated emails + attachments for response?
                      JohnSSmith Community Member
                      JohnSSmith Oct 24, 2014 1:02 PM (in response to JohnSSmith)

                      a better idea - would allow a campaign to be triggered by a workflow. Since both already exist, this may be a smaller change.