How to Test a Workflow
Testing a workflow before you turn it on for real leads prevents embarrassing mistakes. This tutorial shows you how to test safely using test contacts and the workflow history.
What you will learn
- How to create a test contact
- How to trigger a workflow manually
- How to read the workflow history
- How to fix a failed step
Before you start
- Have a workflow built but not yet live for real leads
Step-by-step
- 1
Create a test contact
Add a contact with your own email and phone. Use a name like Test Lead so you can tell it apart from real leads. This is the contact you will trigger workflows with.
- 2
Trigger the workflow
Do the thing the workflow watches for. Fill the form, move an opportunity, or send a test message. The workflow runs against your test contact.
Never test with a real lead's data. One wrong message to a real customer can damage trust.
- 3
Read the workflow history
Open the workflow and view the history. You can see each step, whether it ran, and any errors. The history is the fastest way to find why a workflow did not do what you expected.
- 4
Fix and retest
If a step failed, fix the configuration and run the test again. Keep testing until every step runs green. Only then turn the workflow on for real leads.
Result
You can test workflows safely with test contacts, read the history to find problems, and fix issues before real leads are affected.
Troubleshooting
The history shows no runs
The workflow is probably off, or the trigger does not match what you did. Check both.
Best practices
- Always test with a test contact, never a real lead
- Check the history after every test
- Turn on a workflow only after every step runs green
Next steps
- Read Workflow Troubleshooting for common failures
- Read Advanced Workflow Automation for complex logic
- Read Adding Conditions to refine your workflow
Related tutorials
Frequently asked questions
Can I test without sending real messages?
You can use your own number and email as the test contact so messages come to you. There is no dry-run mode that skips sending, so test with your own details.