Combining NetSuite and Mailchimp enhances marketing capabilities and simplifies customer engagement. Improved organization and precise audience targeting using segments, groups, tags, and other tools can maximize your marketing reach. Campaigns and automations empower you to leverage data effectively for marketing and customer engagement, while reports provide insights into automation performance, results, and subscriber interactions. This guide outlines effective strategies to utilize your NetSuite-synced data efficiently.
Getting Started
To optimize your email marketing, begin by creating the Mailchimp Configuration Record, which connects NetSuite to a Mailchimp audience. It’s generally advisable to use a single audience, utilizing tags, groups, and segments to categorize contacts within that audience. This guide also addresses scenarios where multiple audiences are necessary.
Saved Searches
Some scripts synchronize data linked to specific saved searches. These include: Sync Cart Abandonment Data, Sync Customer to Mailchimp, Sync Items to Mailchimp, and Sync Orders to Mailchimp. Each script syncs information based on these four saved searches in the Mailchimp configuration.
Pay attention to several critical points regarding saved searches to ensure proper functionality. If any alterations are made to the saved searches in the configuration, do not modify the Results tab. Always verify that the results remain consistent with the default saved search. Even if you haven’t made changes, double-checking is essential.
AG Mailchimp Cart Abandonment
Default search criteria can be altered by adding or removing criteria, but it's best to remove criteria solely for testing purposes. Adjust the Login Audit trail to suit your preferred date range, which can be as brief as a day. The formula searches for cart items associated with a customer record. A Mailchimp ID is essential to sync cart abandonment data; hence, new customers must be synced to Mailchimp before syncing their cart data.
AG Mailchimp Customers
Default criteria are available for modification, yet it’s wise to amend the criteria only for testing. Key criteria include the Mailchimp ID, which ensures that customers aren’t duplicated in Mailchimp, and their email address, preventing customers without an email from being synced, which could lead to errors and undermine the syncing purpose.
AG Mailchimp Items
Default search criteria can be adjusted; however, it’s advisable to remove criteria exclusively for testing. Display in Website ensures that only purchasable items are synced to Mailchimp, while Sent To Mailchimp prevents duplicate item syncs.
AG Mailchimp Orders
Default search criteria are available and can be adjusted for testing. The Type identifies that the results are sales orders, while Sent To Mailchimp prevents syncing duplicate sales order data.
Creating Tags and Groups
You can create Tags and Groups in NetSuite following the same procedure. After you save your Mailchimp Configuration Record, create tags and groups at the bottom of the record - these will sync with Mailchimp. In the sub-tab Mailchimp Member Tags, you will see all the tags connected to the configuration record, which initially may have no tags present. Hit New AG Mailchimp Tags, specify your new tag or group name, and click save. It will sync with Mailchimp and appear on the configuration record.
Creating Tags/Groups Via the AG Mailchimp Tags Page
Tags and groups can also be generated via the AG Mailchimp Tags > New AG Mailchimp Tags or AG Mailchimp Group Category > New AG Mailchimp Group Category. Give your tag/group a name and, under Configuration, indicate the configuration record you want the tag/group linked to. If a tag/group needs to apply to multiple configurations, it must be linked to each using the Attach button on the configuration record. Select the desired tag/group in the AG Mailchimp Tags field and click Attach.
To sync more than one Mailchimp audience with NetSuite, a separate configuration record is needed for each audience. Moreover, tags and groups do not transfer to multiple audiences. If you desire to use the same tag/group for a different audience, you must either attach it to your configuration record or recreate that tag/group within your Mailchimp audience.
Segments
Segments function similarly to saved searches for your contacts in Mailchimp. You can create a segment to categorize contacts based on specific attributes. Subsequently, you can send targeted emails and campaigns to these segments. To create a segment, head to Audience > Segments > Create Segment.
OR
Audience > All Contacts > New Segment
You can then establish filters to determine which contacts belong to your segment.
Mailchimp Scripts
To access all scripts associated with the Mailchimp bundle, navigate to CUSTOMIZATION > SCRIPTING > SCRIPTS, filtering by bundle ID 383460 to find Mailchimp scripts.
Some scripts require manual deployment (details on how to deploy manually are below), while others execute on a scheduled basis. Within a script, check the Deployments sub-tab to determine if a script runs according to schedule by looking at the Status.
Scheduled scripts can also feature an unscheduled deployment option that can be triggered manually at any time.
Scheduled Scripts
Sync Customer To Mailchimp: A scheduled script syncing all Customers (category) extracted from NetSuite into Mailchimp according to the associated saved search. This script updates contacts in Mailchimp as well; if a NetSuite customer with an existing email already exists, there will be no duplicate creation.
Sync Customer From Mailchimp: This scheduled script transfers all contacts from Mailchimp into NetSuite when manually deployed, updating existing customers and creating new leads for those contacts. Keep in mind that this script may take some time to complete, especially if many contacts are being synced from Mailchimp. *It will also refresh groups, tags, and subscription status in NetSuite.*
Sync Cart Abandonment Data: A scheduled script syncing shopping cart abandonment data from NetSuite to Mailchimp. You can view abandonment data on the Shopping Cart Abandonment page in NetSuite, though it won’t show which customers abandoned carts. You can check individual customer records under the Sales > Cart Contents sub-tab or the execution log of the cart abandonment script (discussed below). When functioning correctly, customers who abandon carts should appear in Mailchimp’s cart abandonment email queues (instructions for viewing cart abandonment queue are covered later).
Sync Items to Mailchimp: This scheduled script syncs items from NetSuite to Mailchimp based on the associated saved search. The configuration allows you to disable item sync by checking the Disable Item Sync box, though this is reversible. Items synced require a Mailchimp Item Image and Web Store Item URL, which must be input on the item record before running the sync. Access Lists > Accounting > Items, select Edit on an item for synchronization, and navigate to the Mailchimp Integration sub-tab. Choose an image and paste the corresponding URL.
You will likely need to upload the item image to NetSuite before selecting it on the item record; to do this, head to Documents > Files > File Cabinet, then Web Site Hosting Files > Live Hosting Files, where you can choose or create a new folder to upload your image.
Modifying/Removing Products in Mailchimp: Items cannot be updated either from NetSuite or within Mailchimp. To edit or delete products in Mailchimp, the Remove MC Products script must run, followed by the editing of items or item saved searches, then resync the items into Mailchimp.
Sync Orders To Mailchimp: This scheduled script syncs all orders from NetSuite to Mailchimp based on the defined saved search. The configuration allows for disabling order sync by checking the box labeled Disable Order Sync; this is not a permanent choice and can be reverted.
Sync Customer Tag From Mailchimp: A scheduled script importing all tags from Mailchimp into NetSuite. Any tags created in Mailchimp not exist in NetSuite will sync over, eliminating the need to recreate them in both platforms.
Unscheduled Scripts
Remove All MC Products Script: An unscheduled script that removes all previously synced items from Mailchimp when manually executed, allowing for future syncing. If there are display issues with images synchronized to Mailchimp, this script can be utilized. Items must feature a Mailchimp Item Image and Web Store Item URL in NetSuite for proper display.
Sync Customer Group Categories: This is an unscheduled script syncing group categories from Mailchimp to NetSuite. Groups created in NetSuite sync to Mailchimp automatically without requiring a script deployment.
Sync Customer Group Child: This unscheduled script syncs group children from Mailchimp to NetSuite. Like the previous, groups established in NetSuite sync to Mailchimp without needing script deployment.
Manually Deploying Scripts
The Mailchimp integration package includes many scripts available for manual deployment. For example, to sync groups and tags, you can create tags and groups from Mailchimp and then manually deploy the Sync Customer Group Categories and Sync Customer Tag from Mailchimp scripts. To access Mailchimp scripts, go to CUSTOMIZATION > SCRIPTING > SCRIPTS, filtering by bundle ID 383460.
Locate the script you wish to deploy and select View. Proceed to the Deployments sub-tab and choose the script with Status: Not Scheduled, then click on the script name. Next, select Edit > Save and Execute.
On the script status page, refresh the page until the Status reads Complete.
Refer to the execution log to validate the effectiveness of the script and verify the data synced in Mailchimp.
Validating Script Syncs
Several methods exist to confirm successful syncs. Checking the information in Mailchimp is a starting point, but it's wise to review the execution log for any errors.
Checking a Script's Execution Log:
To inspect for script sync errors, navigate to the Mailchimp scripts (as detailed above), click View on the desired script, and access the Deployments sub-tab. Select the deployment you want to analyze, whether scheduled or manual, and click the Execution Log sub-tab.
Review the log for errors; while some scripts may indicate successful sync with messages like "Cart abandonment data synced," a lack of such notes doesn't necessarily mean the sync failed - check for any errors and ensure the synced data matches your expectations.
If you've just manually deployed a script and are on the Script Status page, once the Status displays Complete, click the Deployment ID and navigate to the Execution Log sub-tab.
Checking Mailchimp for Synced Data:
There are ways to verify that data successfully reached Mailchimp, depending on the synced information type.
Reports: Automation reports can reveal aspects such as the volume of emails sent, how many contacts completed the automation, revenue generated, clicks, orders, recovered carts, and more. You can ascertain data syncing success if you observe changes in reports or automation queues correlating with your synced data. To view an automation's report, access automations and click on the corresponding name.
Journey Summaries: Journey summaries indicate how many contacts have started, completed, or are currently moving through the journey. You can check for new contacts added to the journey based on your data sync. To view a Journey Summary, navigate to automations and view the journey map by clicking on its name or selecting View Journey; the summary will be visible on the journey map’s left side.
Products: Products appear in Mailchimp under the Content Studio. Select Products to ensure your items display correctly with images. If images are missing, they need removal and resynchronization, ensuring a Mailchimp image and webpage URL are included.
Manage sites: Within the Integrations section, there's an option to click Manage Sites. This section might display the number of abandoned carts and orders, serving as another location to confirm successful data syncs.
Setting Up Automations
Shopping Cart Abandonment
One of the standout features of this integration is the Shopping Cart Abandonment email series. Mailchimp offers various methods to set up cart abandonment emails; utilizing the cart abandonment automation email series is the best practice.
Shopping Cart Abandonment Automation: To create a cart abandonment email, use the classic automation builder. Go to Automations in Mailchimp and click Classic Automations in the upper right corner.
Select the email type you wish to create; cart abandonment is available in the featured and e-commerce tabs. You can design all three default emails, adding more if you like. You can also adjust the schedule, filters, and post-send actions or triggers. Standard time delays for consecutive emails typically range from 1 hour, 1 day, to 3-4 days. Customize your emails and begin sending!
Shopping Cart Abandonment Customer Journey
Another approach to utilizing cart abandonment data involves customer journeys. Customer Journeys offer additional customization compared to automations but are limited in terms of e-commerce functions. They closely resemble NetSuite workflows, allowing condition-based tags, groups, or contact unsubscriptions, with multiple pathways for contacts.
To create a Customer Journey, navigate to Automations > Explore and scroll to the Looking for Inspiration? section. You can design a journey from scratch or adapt the suggested Nudge Abandoned Cart Shoppers to Purchase map or any other suggested journey map.
Set up your journey path; the suggested journey already has the trigger configured. At a minimum, you need to set up emails and delay times between them. Minimal additional setup is required for cart abandonment. Click Turn On once your journey map is complete.
Another Way to Create Cart Abandonment Automations: Alternatively, you can set up cart abandonment automation through the integrations page, possibly the first point of contact when exploring a new Mailchimp Account. Under manage sites in the integrations tab, Mailchimp often displays the current number of abandoned carts and invites you to set up a cart abandonment email. The rest of the automation creation follows the process outlined above.
If you use this method, the abandoned carts section will transform into the report of the automation you just configured. A drawback is that if the Mailchimp code is added to your website's head section, the formerly visible abandoned cart numbers may vanish altogether.
Viewing Queues
For Automations: Go to your automations, pick the automation of interest, and select Edit. Next, find the email queue you wish to view and click View Queue. This allows you to see all contacts who abandoned their carts and are slated to receive a cart abandonment email.
For Journeys: Navigate to your automations, locate the journey of interest, click on it, or select View Journey. On the journey map, click the three-dots icon next to the relevant stage in the journey and select View Contact Queue.
Order Notifications
Order notifications can likewise be set up through various methods; creating them as a journey or automation is possible. The preferred method is to utilize automations since journeys aren't specifically designed for e-commerce. This automation provides numerous easily accessible customization options. Access the automation builder as described earlier for cart abandonment automation. After opening the automation builder, select Enable Order Notifications under the Featured or E-Commerce tabs.
Customize your email and start sending it out. After launching, you can click Edit on your automation to enable different order notification emails; the options are abundant, and not all need activation, but they can be.
Product Recommendations
Product recommendations can be configured with various triggers, including re-engaging customers post-purchase or reaching out to inactive clientele, or even influenced by another running campaign.
To create a product recommendation email, access the automation builder as previously instructed and select Follow Up on Purchases under the E-Commerce tab. This section allows for numerous methods to suggest products; you can recommend items based on a previously purchased product, which is useful for complementary accessories or items within a specific category. The broadest choice is to recommend products following any product purchase.
While personalizing the email, clicking the section designated for recommended products reveals various settings. Here, you can choose the product details displayed in your email, their layout, the quantity shown, etc. Additionally, you can specify how to recommend products - whether by new arrivals, best sellers, or personalized recommendations. Personalized recommendations yield optimal results for companies meeting the necessary criteria.
Campaigns
Campaigns can serve multiple purposes. When you initiate a campaign, options include sending an email, creating a customer journey, using a template, or generating a survey or advertisement. To start a campaign, navigate to Campaigns and click Create Campaign in the upper-right corner. Choose the campaign type you want to create and customize it. Campaigns are particularly useful for scheduling single emails containing promotional content or seasonal sales.
Creating Multiple Mailchimp Audiences
When setting up multiple audiences in Mailchimp - perhaps for different subsidiaries or stores - it’s usually best to connect a new audience for each store, even if contacts overlap, to avoid e-commerce data confusion in Mailchimp. Each store integration necessitates a new configuration connected to a distinct audience; refrain from using a single audience for multiple configurations.
Before Saving Your New Configuration
Create a New Configuration for a Second Audience
To initiate a new Mailchimp configuration, access Setup > Integration > AG Mailchimp Configuration > New.
Next, create a new audience in Mailchimp and retrieve the Audience ID and generate a new API Key.
Create New Audience
To establish a new audience in Mailchimp, navigate to Audience > Manage Audience > View Audience > Create Audience. If a popup appears suggesting tags rather than a new audience, choose Create Audience.
Complete the Audience Details form and hit save. You can find the Audience ID for your new configuration similarly to how you located the ID for your initial Audience (refer to the Integration Installation Guide for guidance).
Create New API Key
For the new configuration, you must create a new API Key. It’s advisable to label each API Key. Follow the same procedure as for your first key (instructions in the Integration Installation Guide).
Completing the Configuration
Select your default subscriber status, assign a name to your store, and create a Web Store ID.
Input the Web Store URL (this isn’t mandatory), but do not check the Store Already Created checkbox. You can implement custom saved searches in the configuration, provided the results align with the default search results from the bundle; be sure to verify their accuracy. Click Save to integrate your second audience into NetSuite.
You will also need to generate new tags and groups for each additional audience. Tags can be created in Mailchimp and then synced to NetSuite, but it's best to develop them within the configuration’s bottom section for automatic syncing with Mailchimp. Additionally, remember to set Default Customer/Lead Values for the new audience. We designate the Record Type as Customer, the Field ID as leadsource, and the Default Value as Web. This ensures all customers arriving from Mailchimp automatically have the leadsource field filled with the value Web.
Switching Between Audiences and Stores
View Audiences
To view your audiences, use the previous steps for creating a new audience - navigate to Audience > Manage Audience > View Audiences. Here, you can see all your audiences, noting quick facts about each, and select any to delve deeper.
Switching Between Stores
You can also view your audiences by switching between stores. Visit Integrations > Manage Sites, where you’ll see the store currently in use, the audience linked to that store, and the option to change the connected audience (though changing audiences is not advisable). You can also switch between stores here.
When you go to Audience in Mailchimp, the audience shown corresponds with the store you’re using. If you switch stores, the audience will reflect that change accordingly. You can either opt for the View Audiences option or simply switch stores to manage your audiences effectively.
Script Deployments and Parameters
Scripts included in the bundle specifically apply to the first configuration created, meaning that for any additional configurations, new script deployments must be established. When deploying a script (to locate scripts, see Mailchimp Scripts above), navigate to the sub-tab Deployments and select the deployment marked Not Scheduled. Then, from the Actions dropdown, choose Make a Copy.
Click the sub-tab Parameters and, in the Configuration field, enter the internal ID for the configuration you want the script to apply to. Internal IDs can be found on the AG Mailchimp Configuration page - the first configuration’s ID will be 1, the second 2, and so on.
Once you've input the Internal ID, click Save and Execute, and refresh the script status page until the status displays Complete.
