What a start trigger does
A start trigger starts a run. An automation can have up to five start triggers. Any one of them starts a run.
An automation can also have no start trigger. Then people add contacts to it by hand. Another automation can also start it with the step Start an automation.
Who goes through
The start triggers decide what each run works on. The builder shows it under the triggers:
- Each contact goes through on its own. The triggers are about contacts, for example a form or a tag.
- Each deal goes through on its own. The triggers are about deals, for example a stage or a deadline.
- Runs once each time it starts. The triggers have no record, for example a schedule that runs once.
All the start triggers of one automation must agree. After the first trigger, the list shows only triggers of the same kind. A line at the top of the list tells you why.
To work on contacts and on deals, make two automations. A step in one automation can start the other one.
An automation can have one schedule, or several date triggers, and one webhook trigger.
Add, change or remove a trigger
- Choose Add a start trigger. Choose the trigger. Then set its options, for example the tag.
- Choose a trigger to open it. Choose Change the trigger to choose another one.
- Choose Remove the trigger, or the X on the trigger.
Start settings
Choose Start settings below the triggers. These settings are for all the start triggers:
- Start conditions make the triggers narrower, for example "only buyers".
- Run again sets if a record can go through again after its run ends.
- You can let another automation's change start it.
Contacts and lists
| Trigger | A run starts when |
|---|---|
| A contact is created | A new contact is saved |
| A contact field changes | The field you choose gets a new value |
| A tag is added or removed | The tag you choose is added or removed |
| The lifecycle stage changes | A contact moves to another lifecycle stage |
| A contact gets a new owner | The contact gets a new owner |
| Someone joins or leaves a list | A contact joins or leaves an email list |
| Consent changes | A contact gives or takes back consent |
| A contact's record health changes | The record health changes |
Forms, email and your website
| Trigger | A run starts when |
|---|---|
| A form is sent | Someone sends one of your forms, or the form you choose |
| An email is opened | A contact opens an email from a campaign or an automation |
| A link in an email is clicked | A contact clicks a link. You can give a part of the address. |
| The website records an event | Your website sends an event, for example "Saved a home" |
| A known visitor views a page | A known visitor opens a page that matches the address |
| A known visitor clicks | A known visitor clicks a link or a button on your website. You can give the link, for example tel:* for phone numbers, and the click's name, for example cta_click. |
A form trigger gives the steps the answers of the form. A condition can use an answer, for example the price range.
Visits start runs only for people we know. Read Connect your website.
Deals and pipeline
| Trigger | A run starts when |
|---|---|
| A deal is created | A new deal is saved |
| A deal field changes | The field you choose gets a new value |
| The deal moves to a stage | The deal moves to the stage you choose |
| The deal enters a phase | The deal moves to a stage with that phase |
| The deal is won, lost or opened again | The status of the deal changes |
| A party is added or removed | A party is added to the deal or removed from it |
| Contract deadlines are added | The deal gets its first contract deadlines |
| A deadline changes | A contract deadline changes state |
Dates and schedules
| Trigger | A run starts |
|---|---|
| A birthday comes | Each year, on the birthday or some days before it |
| A home anniversary comes | Each year, on the day the contact bought their home |
| A deal date comes | Some days before or after a deadline, the contract date or the close date |
| On a schedule, for each contact who matches | At a time you set, one time or every few days |
| On a schedule, for each deal that matches | At a time you set, one time or every few days |
| On a schedule, once | At a time you set. One run with no record each time. |
Webhooks and people
| Trigger | A run starts when |
|---|---|
| A webhook arrives | Another app sends data to the automation's address |
| A person adds deals | A person or another automation adds a deal |
| A person starts it, once | A person starts it. One run with no record. |
A webhook finds the contact by the email in the data, or adds a new contact. To start a run with no contact, open the trigger and choose With no contact. You can do this when it is the only trigger.
To make the key for the webhook, save the automation. Then open the trigger and choose Create key. Copy the key at once. It shows one time only.