How to set up visual automations on ConvertKit

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Visual automations in ConvertKit are created through the Automations section where you can drag and drop triggers, actions, and conditions to build email sequences. Start by selecting a trigger (like form subscription), then add actions like sending emails or applying tags to create your automated workflow.

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Prerequisites

Active ConvertKit account
At least one form or landing page created
Email sequence or tags prepared
Basic understanding of email marketing workflows

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the Visual Automations Builder

Navigate to your ConvertKit dashboard and click on Automations in the left sidebar. Click the + New Automation button in the top right corner, then select Start from scratch to open the visual automation builder.

You can also choose from pre-built templates if you're just getting started with automations.

Add Your Automation Trigger

Click the + Add Trigger button in the center of the canvas. Select your desired trigger type such as Subscribes to a form, Purchases a product, or Is tagged. Configure the specific trigger settings, like choosing which form will start the automation.

Choose triggers that align with specific subscriber actions to ensure your automation is relevant and timely.

Add Your First Action

Click the + button below your trigger to add an action. Select Send email to create an email action, then choose an existing email from your library or click Create new email. Configure the email settings including subject line, sender name, and content.

Use merge tags like {{first_name}} to personalize your automated emails for better engagement.

Set Up Email Delays and Timing

Click on the connection line between elements to add a Wait step. Choose your delay timing such as Wait 1 day, Wait 3 days, or set a specific time. You can also add conditions like Wait until specific day of week for optimal send times.

Test different delay timings to find what works best for your audience engagement rates.

Add Conditional Logic and Branching

Click the + button and select Add condition to create branching paths. Set up conditions like Has tag, Clicked link in email, or Opened email. This splits your automation into different paths based on subscriber behavior.

Use conditions to segment subscribers based on engagement and send more targeted follow-up content.

Configure Tags and Subscriber Management

Add Apply tag actions throughout your automation to organize subscribers. Click + Add action and select Add tag, then create or select existing tags. This helps you track where subscribers are in your automation and segment them for future campaigns.

Create descriptive tag names like 'automation-welcome-completed' to easily identify subscriber status.

Test and Activate Your Automation

Click Save in the top right corner to save your automation. Use the Test button to preview your automation flow and check for any errors. Once satisfied, toggle the automation status to Live to activate it for new subscribers.

Always test your automation with a test email address before making it live to catch any issues.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Automation isn't triggering for new subscribers

Check that your automation is set to Live status and verify that the trigger form or tag is correctly configured. Also ensure the trigger conditions match exactly what subscribers are doing.

Emails are not sending at the right time delays

Review your Wait step configurations and check your account timezone settings under Account Settings. Verify that delay conditions like 'specific day of week' aren't blocking sends.

Subscribers are getting stuck in conditional branches

Add fallback paths to your conditions by creating an Everyone else branch. This ensures all subscribers continue through your automation even if they don't meet specific conditions.

Automation canvas won't save or load properly

Clear your browser cache and refresh the page. If issues persist, try using an incognito window or different browser. Complex automations with many elements may need to be simplified or split into multiple automations.

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