Personalization using placeholders

This article describes how you can personalize your emails, pop-ups, and Web Push notifications to enhance customer experience and enrich your analytics.

The SALESmanago platform allows you to personalize the content of your emails, pop-ups, and Web Push notifications, as well as the URLs of links included in such communications. Insert special placeholders (attributes) into the content or a link’s URL, and the system will replace the placeholders with data from the Contact Card to display individual Contact details.


Contents


1. Getting started

Personalization is a powerful marketing tool that allows you to enhance customer experience and enrich your analytics. You can adjust the content received by your customers based on data from their profiles, and you can track their interactions with your marketing communications.

One way to personalize your marketing communications is to use special placeholders, or attributes (taking the following form: $placeholder$), which will be replaced with individual Contact data by the SALESmanago system the moment your communications are sent or displayed to the recipient. Such attributes can be used in the following marketing tools:

  • emails,
  • pop-ups, and
  • Web Push notifications.

In all these tools, personalization attributes can be used in two ways:

  • to personalize content,
  • to personalize link URLs.

This article provides a full list of attributes (with examples), as well as instructions on how to construct advanced attribute combinations and conditional statements.

IMPORTANT: All attributes (placeholders) are case sensitive. Make sure to insert them in the exact form in which they are provided in the tables.

Additionally, pay close attention to text formatting: the entire placeholder formula requires the exact same formatting.

You can, however, format the entire placeholder formula in any way you want. You can also freely format any text that is not part of the formula.

EXAMPLE COMMENT
[#if $name$]Dear $name$![#else]Dear Stranger![#end] This conditional statement will not work because part of the formula ($name$]) has different formatting (underline).
Hi $name.p1$! This placeholder will not work because part of the formula (p1) has different formatting (bold).
Hi $name.p1$! This placeholder will work, as the entire formula has the same formatting.
[#if $name$]Dear Customer![#else]Dear Stranger![#end] This conditional statement will work, as the entire formula has the same formatting. Only text that is not part of the formula is formatted differently.
[#if $name$]Dear $name.p1$![#else]Dear Stranger![#end] This conditional statement will work, as the entire conditional statement formula has the same formatting. Only text that is not part of the formula (which includes $name.p1$) is formatted differently.

TIP: To verify the correct functioning of placeholders or conditional statements, send a number of test emails (preferably, some of the recipients should meet and others should not meet the specified conditions).


2. List of attributes

A. Contact data

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
Name
Full name
1st word in the name (usually the first name)
2nd word in the name (usually the last name)
$name$
$name.p1$
$name.p2$
Dear Mr. John Doe
Hi, John!
Dear Mr. Smith
Content
Email $email$ Please confirm that you want to receive our newsletter at this email address: name@example.com Content
Company $company$ We are happy that we can count your company, Acme Corporation, as another satisfied customer. Content
Phone number $phone$ We may call you at +1 555 444 3333 to confirm your order. Content/URL
Street address $streetAddress$ Main Street Content
City $city$ Check out the upcoming events in Anytown! Content/URL
Zip code $zipCode$ AB 00000 Content/URL
Province $Province$ See what’s new in California >> Content/URL
Country $country$ Only this week – free shipping to the USA! Content/URL 
Birthday $birthday$ Today is a special day! 06.01 – your birthday! (format: DD.MM) Content
Contact’s detail $cst.detail_name$

IMPORTANT: Do not use the words “points” or “tier” in detail names because the system may interpret them differently (these words are used in placeholders related to the Loyalty Program).

We have wonderful toys for your dog! Content/URL
Dictionary detail $cst.dictionary_detail_name.dictionary_property$

IMPORTANT: Do not use the words “points” or “tier” in dictionary detail names because these words are used in placeholders related to the Loyalty Program and the system may misinterpret them.

Your height: 69.1 inches Content/URL
Number of points in a Loyalty Program $program_name.points$ You have scored 314 points in our Loyalty Program! Content; If/else statements
Loyalty Program tier $program_name.tier$ We are pleased to inform you that you have reached the SILVER tier of our Loyalty Program! Content; If/else statements
Contact ID $contactID$ a254b80b-fac2-4401-b0a1-6eda1bf45ed9 URL
Contact’s external ID $externalId$ U12345 URL
Contact’s scoring $scoring$ 420 If/else statements

B. Opt-in/opt-out URLs

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

IMPORTANT: The URL address provided for the redirects must include the https:// protocol, e.g., https://www.salesmanago.com/ or https://salesmanago.com/ (NOT: www.salesmanago.com).


Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL


Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

External Event data field Placeholder formula Example for External Event: PURCHASE
ID $cst.extEvent.TYPE.eventId$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.eventId$
External ID $cst.extEvent.TYPE.externalId$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.externalId$
Value $cst.extEvent.TYPE.value$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.value$
Date $cst.extEvent.TYPE.date$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.date$
Products $cst.extEvent.TYPE.products$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.products$
Description $cst.extEvent.TYPE.description$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.description$
Location $cst.extEvent.TYPE.location$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.location$
Detail 1 $cst.extEvent.TYPE.detail1$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.detail1$
Detail 2 $cst.extEvent.TYPE.detail2$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.detail2$
Detail X $cst.extEvent.TYPE.detailX$ $cst.extEvent.PURCHASE.detailX$

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL


Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
Coupon $cst.coupon_name.coupon$

IMPORTANT: When entering the coupon name, pay attention to the letter case. For instance, a placeholder for a coupon called “Spring_Summer” must look as follows:

$cst.Spring_Summer.coupon$
Here’s your discount code: SPRING20 Content/URL
Date (long) $date.long$ Saturday, 22 Nov 2014 Content
Date (short) $date.short$ 2023-09-14 Content
Sending time (long, with seconds) $time.long$ 10:14:12 Content
Sending time (short) $time.short$ 10:14 Content
Initial capitalization
(e.g., if the Contact’s name on the Contact Card is “JOHN DOE” or “john doe”, it will be displayed as “John Doe” in the email)
$cap:field_name$

IMPORTANT: Enter the text of a placeholder formula from Table 2.A (Contact data) as the field name. Example for the Company field:

$cap:company$

Example for first name:

$cap:name.p1$
Dear John, We have wonderful toys for Sammy Content
Preview
(e.g., if the images are not displayed correctly, view this email in your browser)
$preview$ https://www.salesmanago.com/email/messageView.htm?conversation=e2c5(…)b9&co=b166(…)7e60 URL (the placeholder will be replaced with a full preview link)
SHA1 sha1($field_name$) d4c362(…)6165a1 URL

Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

Condition Formula Example
IF
Use case: If the attribute field is not empty, display text
[#if $attribute$]TEXT[#else] [#end]

[#if $name$]Dear $name.p1$[#else] [#end]

If the Contact is known by name (the Name field on the Contact Card is not empty), their first name will be displayed.
IF… ELSE…
Use case: If the attribute field is not empty, display text; if it is empty, display other text
[#if $attribute$]TEXT[#else]OTHER TEXT[#end]

[#if $name$]Dear $name$[#else]Dear Stranger![#end]

If the Name field on the Contact Card is not empty, the Contact’s name will be displayed. Otherwise, the Contact will be addressed as “Stranger.”
Advanced IF… ELSE…
Use case: If the attribute is set to a specific value, display text; otherwise, display other text
[#if $attribute$='value']TEXT[#else]OTHER TEXT[#end]

[#if $cst.pet_type$=’dog’]Lots of fun for you doggy![#else]Lots of fun for your best friend![#end]

If the Contact has a dog, they will see “Lots of fun for your doggy!” in the email. Otherwise, they will see “Lots of fun for your best friend!”.
IF… ELSEIF… ELSE…
Use case: If the attribute is set to a specific value, display text; else, if the attribute is set to another specific value, display other text; otherwise, display yet another text
NOTE: #elseif can only be used once in a single formula.
[#if $attribute$='value']TEXT[#elseif $attribute$='other_value'] OTHER TEXT[#else]YET ANOTHER TEXT[#end]

[#if $cst.pet_type$=’dog’]Lots of fun for your dog![#elseif $cst.pet_type$=’cat’]Lots of fun for your cat![#else]Lots of fun for your best friend![#end]

If the Contact has a dog, they will see “Lots of fun for your dog!” in the email.If the Contact has a cat, they will see “Lots of fun for your cat!” Otherwise, they will see “Lots of fun for your best friend!”.
Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Attribute type Placeholder Example Suggested use
BASIC
Opt-in link $opt-in$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link $opt-out$ Click here to unsubscribe URL
ADVANCED
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$ Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-in link adding a tag to the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-in: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to confirm your subscription URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $ Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: $&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL
Opt-out link removing a tag from the Contact, adding a tag to the Contact, and redirecting to a page $opt-out-tags: TAG_TO_REMOVE$opt-out-add-tags: TAG_TO_ADD$&redirect=https://… Click here to unsubscribe URL

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