Wait nodes in automation campaigns

Entry wait nodes

Before adding any action nodes, it's useful to set a wait time to delay any further actions with contacts who have entered your automation flow.

While a wait node in general pauses your contacts until the wait limit is met, the entry wait node (i.e. the wait node immediately after your entry condition) counts backwards, from when the entry trigger occurred.

For example, if you are using an abandoned basket as an entry trigger, you could add a two hour entry wait so that the ‘abandoned basket’ email is sent at the optimum time, rather than as soon as the basket was abandoned.

Or in win back campaigns, if the trigger is placed last order > wait 365 days, the entry wait node looks back for the last orders and begins sending once it finds an order placed 365 ago.

Select the cog icon in the wait tile to define your entry wait, then select Wait a specific duration:

Specify your wait time (in hours, days or weeks) and then select Save to finalise your entry wait node.

General wait nodes

You can also set a wait node after your segments or other actions in your automation flow.

Select the Add Wait clock icon for a wait node:

Then define your wait type:

• Wait a specific duration - e.g. 30 minutes, 2 days, 6 weeks, etc.
• Wait for a specified time/day - e.g. next Sunday at 11.30am

If a wait node is placed after an email action, this is the length of time the contact stays in the flow after being sent the email (or other action).

For this reason, wait nodes following actions are also a useful way to 'hold' contacts in certain campaigns, e.g. for 24 hours, before they can enter another, helping to space out your sends.

Find out more in Mutual Exclusivity.