New to Campaigns? Some common early mistakes that might occur

New to Campaigns? Some common early mistakes that might occur

Hello Marketers,
Welcome back to another post in Marketer's Space.
If you're just getting started with Zoho Campaigns, things can feel exciting and slightly confusing at the same time. You're not alone. Most early frustrations come from setup gaps rather than product issues.

Looking at all the features in the product, many new users tend to run into the same few roadblocks. In this post, we'll breakdown what usually causes trouble (and how to avoid it). Whether you're just setting up your first campaign or refining your existing process, this post will help you build a strong foundation early.

Skipping domain authentication   

Many users start sending campaigns before setting up SPF and DKIM properly. Here's what happens when they skip it:
  1. Emails are visibly sent from "via zcsend.net".
  2. They encounter lower inbox placement.
  3. They result in trust issues in Gmail or Outlook.
Domain authentication isn't optional if you care about deliverability; it should be step one.

What can you do instead?
  1. Add and verify your sending domain inside Zoho Campaigns before launching your first campaign.
  2. Configure SPF and DKIM records in your domain's DNS settings.
  3. Wait for verification confirmation before sending in bulk.
  4. Run a small test campaign after setup to confirm proper alignment.
Authentication issues don't just affect inbox placement; they can also prevent campaigns from going out altogether.

Campaign moves back to draft after sending   

This often happens because one of the final checks fails—like sender verification, mandatory fields, or authentication settings.
Before clicking send, ensure the following:
  1. Your sender email is verified.
  2. Authentication (SPF/DKIM) is properly configured.
  3. You've reviewed the campaign checklist inside the editor carefully.
Most "failure to send" cases are configuration-related, not system errors.

Uploading large or unclean contact lists without preparation   

Many new users decide to import a large database and send a campaign immediately. Others upload lists that haven't been cleaned in months or years. Both situations can quietly hurt performance.
Common issues include:
  1. Importing thousands of old or inactive contacts at once
  2. Sending to contacts who haven't engaged in a long time
  3. Including duplicate entries
  4. Not removing bounced or inactive addresses
What does this lead to?
  1. Low open and click rates
  2. Higher bounce rates
  3. Increased spam complaints
  4. Poor sender reputation
For new accounts especially, this can impact deliverability very quickly.
A better way to approach this is to do the following:
  1. Start with your most engaged contacts.
  2. Gradually increase volume over time.
  3. Remove duplicates and inactive addresses.
  4. Segment your contacts based on engagement before sending.
Good deliverability isn't just about authentication; it's also about list hygiene and sending behavior.

Open rates show zero (especially in Gmail)

Open tracking depends on images being loaded. If the recipient's email client blocks images by default, if privacy protection is enabled (especially on Apple devices), or if images are preloaded differently, the open may not register.
This is common with:
  1. Gmail (especially with image blocking)
  2. Privacy-focused email settings
  3. Apple Mail privacy protection
A sudden drop in open rate doesn't always mean your emails aren't being read.
So what is the fix?
  1. Send internal test emails to see if tracking pixels are functioning.
  2. Use A/B tests to validate subject line performance rather than judging from one send.
  3. Compare trends over a period of time instead judging from one campaign.
Your open rate should be treated as an indicator, not as an exact measurement—because it isn't.

Automation doesn't trigger for everyone   

A common assumption is that once automation is active, it applies to all contacts, and users forget that building automations without testing entry conditions might never yield expected results.
A workflow may look correct, but in reality:
  1. Contacts must meet the trigger conditions.
  2. They must enter the workflow at the correct stage.
  3. Timing filters and status settings matter
This is usually a logic issue, not a bug. So how can you solve it?
  1. Test the workflow using a sample contact before activating it fully.
  2. Double-check entry criteria and filter rules.
  3. Review contact status and segmentation settings.
  4. Use the workflow report to confirm whether contacts entered the automation.

Not testing across devices and email services 

Emails that look perfect in the Zoho Campaigns editor may:
  1. Break in emails formatting/structure.
  2. Stack oddly on mobile displays.
  3. Misalign buttons.
The clear action is to first find out how your email looks via the Preview and Test mode, after which you can always send those test emails from the same section and see the actual results.
You can send such emails to:
  1. Gmail
  2. Outlook
  3. Mobile devices


The editor preview is not a perfectly accurate reflection of the real inbox view, so we always recommend that you test your email campaigns first across different devices and email services before sending them in bulk.

Ignoring spam score or content red flags 

The actual content of your email plays a major role in where it lands.
Common content-related mistakes include:
  1. Using heavy promotional language like "BUY NOW," "LIMITED OFFER," or excessive exclamation marks
  2. Writing subject lines that feel overly aggressive or misleading
  3. Including too many links in a short email
  4. Using shortened URLs
  5. Designing image-only emails with very little supporting text
  6. Embedding large attachments directly in the campaign
Another common oversight is not checking the spam score before sending. Even if the content feels fine, running it through the built-in checks helps identify structural red flags early.
Here's a better approach:
  1. Maintain a healthy balance between text and images.
  2. Keep links purposeful and minimal.
  3. Avoid excessive capitalization and exaggerated claims.
  4. Write subject lines that are clear rather than sensational.
  5. Test-send and review how the email appears in different inboxes.
Sending successful campaigns is all about earning inbox trust through clean structure and responsible messaging.

If you're just starting out, take your time with the setup. A well-configured account will always outperform a rushed campaign.

If you've already encountered one or more of these issues, you're not alone; they're all part of the learning curve. Feel free to share your experiences or additional insights in the comments below. Your input might help another marketer avoid the same roadblock.

Until next time, happy campaigning!

Regards,
Yashwanth S
User Education
Zoho Campaigns Team

    • Recent Topics

    • How to add "All Open AND Overdue" back to the Home Page Task Component?

      Hi everyone, I’m looking for a way to restore the Tasks component on the Zoho CRM Home Page. Since the recent update to the Task area in my Home Page Classic View, the dropdown options (e.g., My Next 7 Days + Overdue) are too restrictive for my workflow.

    • Duplicate Leads Concerns with Round Robin and Lead Approval Process

      It is great to have the Duplicate Lead Approval Process,  there are a few issues with the process that I would greatly appreciate taken consideration in enhancing. It appears that A Lead comes in Lead owner assigned by the Round Robin Check for Duplicate, If the lead is a Duplicate the Lead owner gets an email of a duplicate needs approval email assign to the approval process      This causes problems, The duplicate approval process is done by a different level person, they do not get the email notification

    • Dashboard target enhancements

      Often individuals in IT are creating dashboards for their sales team. The ability to create a single dashboard that can be used by multiple people is key. A components for a dashboard have the ability to filter by logged in user which is great. However

    • How to update "Lead Status" to more than 100 records

      Hello Zoho CRM, How do I update "Lead Status" to more than 100 records at once? To give you a background, these leads were uploaded or Imported at once but the lead status record was incorrectly chosen. So since there was a way to quickly add records in the system no matter how many they are, we are also wondering if there is a quicker way to update these records to the correct "Lead Status". I hope our concern makes sense and that there will be a fix for it. All the best, Jonathan

    • Finding rhythm through poetry

      Poetry has long been a powerful form of expression, discovery, and reflection. For many, it is a way to pen down their thoughts and experiences. The "poetic license" allows writers to shape their words with rhythm and flow. This year, on World Poetry

    • Bring your own credentials (BYOC) for connections in Zoho Creator

      Hello everyone, We're excited to announce an important step forward in how integrations and authentications work in Zoho Creator. Zoho Creator is a versatile platform for integrations, enabling you to connect with thousands of third-party services using

    • CRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive

      Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage files

    • Project Management Bulletin: March, 2026

      We are passionate about equipping our users with efficient solutions that help them run their businesses successfully. Our collective efforts over the past 2 years have culminated in the launch of Sprints 3.0— built with reliable features, impactful integrations,

    • Composite items inside of composite items; bill of materials needed

      Hi Zoho and Everyone, I am evaluating whether Zoho Inventory will work for my small business. I grow and harvest herbs and spices but also get from wholesalers. I use all these items to make herbal teas, but also sell them as individual items on my Shopify store and Etsy. I discovered the composite item bundling and am wondering if I could get some assistance since there is no bill of materials: Our herbal company's best selling tea is a sleepytime tea. Sleepytime Tea can be purchased in three weights

    • Automation Series: Sync Task Status with Zoho Desk Tickets

      In Zoho Projects, you can automatically close and reopen an associated Zoho Desk ticket when the status of a task is changed. This syncs the current state of the task with the support ticket without manual updates. For instance, a support team handling

    • Auto-Generate Line Numbers in Item Table Using HTML & CSS Counters (Zoho Books & Zoho Inventory Custom Templates)

      <div> <style> /* Start counter from 0 inside tbody */ tbody#lineitem { counter-reset: rowNumber; } /* Increment counter for each row */ tbody#lineitem tr { counter-increment: rowNumber; } /* Show counter value in first column */ tbody#lineitem tr td:first-child::before

    • Does zoho inventory need Enterprise or Premium subsrciption to make Widgets.

      We have Zoho One Enterprise and yet we can't create widgets on inventory.

    • Introducing Radio Buttons and Numeric Range Sliders in Zoho CRM

      Release update: Currently out for CN, JP, AU and CA DCs (Free and standard editions). For other DCs, this will be released by mid-March. Hello everyone, We are pleased to share with you that Zoho CRM's Layout Editor now includes two new field formats—

    • New UI for Writer - Disappointed

      I've been enjoying Zoho Writer as a new user for about 6 months, and I really like it. One of my favorite things about it is the menu bar, which you can hide or leave out while still seeing most of your page because it is off to the left. I think this

    • Zoho CAMPAIGNS working hours

      Hi I use Campaigns Automation workflows to automate follow-ups to my Leads. I discovered this weekend that emails are being sent out on Sundays. How do I limit my Campaigns outgoing emails to business working hours? This is very important! Thanks, D

    • Depositing funds to account

      Hello, I have been using Quickbooks for many years but am considering moving to Zoho Books so I am currently running through various workflows and am working on the Invoicing aspect. In QB, the process is to create an invoice, receive payment and then

    • Create Receipt of a Donation (not a sale)

      We are a non-profit organization that receives general donations. How do I create a receipt of payment for the donor and categorize the payment as a Gift? I tried the method of creating an invoice; however that automatically created a "Sales" transaction

    • Function #2: Create a Deal in Zoho CRM when an Estimate is created in Zoho Books

      For those who use Zoho CRM integrated with Zoho Books, here's a nifty function that helps you optimize your sales process by adding a Deal in Zoho CRM whenever an estimate is created in Zoho Books. Custom Function: To create the custom function, go to

    • New Custom View -Sorting the Custom fields

      While creating a New Custom View in invoice , Customers, Bills ,expense etc , the sorting of custom fields are not available , a query function "order by / sort by  " may also be included in  Define new criteria module  which will be more beneficial to

    • Grouping Undeposited Funds to Move to other accounts

      In the bank option it would be nice to check what transactions in undeposited funds I want to move to other accounts. Then while checking this it can accumulate totals and created whats essentially a deposit slip. Once the transaction is moved it should

    • Sync your CRM Tasks with Zoho Projects

      Zoho Projects integration with Zoho CRM helps you manage your tasks more efficiently. You can create all project related activities right inside your CRM using this integration. Create new portal or associate an existing portal, add projects to the portal,

    • Zoho CRM strips whitespace in text fields

      When editing field text with multiple spaces: CRM - both UI and API trim / compress the whitespace to a single space when saving: Is this known / expected / documented behaviour?

    • WorkDrive API returning empty response even after placing file in Team Folder

      Hi everyone, I am trying to fetch a file from Zoho WorkDrive using a Deluge standalone function in Zoho People. The API call executes successfully using a configured connection, but the response is coming back empty. I have verified the following: The

    • Custom Button makes scroll bar go down in report

      I have a report with a Custom button called Completed. A colleague mentionned to me that when he pressed this custom button it scrolled down the page which is annoying since he want to stay at the same space on the repoort. There is no reload linked to

    • Quickbooks Integrations Stopped Working

      All of our Quickbooks integrations have stopped working. I am checking in to see if: a) this is a known issue b) if anyone else is having this issue. As usual, Zoho support is unavailable.

    • sync two zoho crm

      Hello everyone. Is it possible to sync 2 zoho crm? what would be the easiest way? I am thinking of Flow. I have a Custom Module that I would like to share with my client. We both use zoho crm. Regards.

    • CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users

      Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage

    • Incorrect Functioning of Time Logs API (Version 3)

      We need to fetch the list of time logs for each task for our company internal usage. We are trying to achieve it by using the next endpoint: https://projects.zoho.com/api-docs#bulk-time-logs#get-all-project-time-logs Firstly, in the documentation the

    • Zoho CRM Queries Now Support Databases and Cloud Data Sources

      Hello everyone! We're thrilled to announce a major enhancement to the Queries feature in Zoho CRM! Queries now support a broader range of external data sources, allowing you to fetch live data and combine it with CRM records, all using a unified query

    • Salesforceに添付ファイルを格納したい

      お世話になっております。 Salesforceに添付ファイルを格納したく、カスタムオブジェクトに連携し、 「ファイルのアップロード」項目を設けました。 実際、エラーもなく送信出来たのですが、実際生成されたカスタムオブジェクトのレコードを見ると、どこにも添付ファイルがありません。仕様として、この添付ファイルはSalesforceのどこに格納されるのでしょうか？ 今回作りたいフォームは、複数の書類を添付するため、Zohoformのファイルアップロード項目「本人確認書類」「源泉徴収票」などの項目を、Salesforce側にも設けた「本人確認書類」「源泉徴収票」という各項目にURLリンクとして紐づけたいと思っておりました。

    • Dynamic image in form works in the app but not on the customer portal.

      img = frm_Fichas[ID == input.Nombre].Foto; imgno = Nophoto[ID2 = 1].Image; if(len(img) > 1) { img = img.replaceAll("/sharedBy/appLinkName/",zoho.appuri); img = img.replaceAll("viewLinkName","Fichas_de_personal_public"); img = img.replaceAll("fieldName","Foto");

    • Is it possible to retrieve function (Deluge) code from Zoho CRM externally?

      Hi Everyone, Is it possible to fetch or retrieve the Deluge function code from Zoho CRM using an external method (API or any other approach)? I would like to know if there is any way to access or extract the function script outside of Zoho CRM, or if

    • Uplifted homepage experience

      Editions: All editions. Availability update: 17th February 2026: All editions in the CA and SA DC | JP DC (Free, Standard and Professional editions) 23 February 2026: JP (All Editions) | AU, CN (Free, Standard, Professional editions) 27 February 2026:

    • Darshan Hiranandani : How many participants can join a Zoho Meeting at once?

      Hi everyone, I'm Darshan Hiranandani, trying to find out the maximum number of participants that can join a Zoho Meeting at once. Has anyone here used Zoho Meeting for larger groups and can share their experience or knowledge about the participant limit?

    • Where is the scheduled report in New UI?

      Hi Team, Seems there is not such a field in New UI, hence I have to switch to old UI to handle request..

    • Approval Workflow for Purchase Orders Abrir

      The requirement is , that all purchase orders greater than or equal to 5000 go through an approval process from certain people, but within books I only see that the approvers can be by levels or any approver but we cannot enter a rule like these. Can

    • WeTravel + Zoho CRM Integration - Has Anyone Built a Connector or Extension?

      Hi all, I'm exploring options for integrating Zoho CRM with WeTravel (booking & payment platform for tour operators). Zapier seems to be the common method but seems limited. I'm wondering if anyone in the community has developed a more comprehensive solution,

    • Option in pipeline deal to select which hotel or branch or store if client has more than one local store

      Hi, I would like to know if there is an option in the deal pipeline to select which hotel, branch, or store a deal is related to—if the company has more than one location. For example, I have a client that owns several hotels under the same company, and

    • Undo article like/dislike

      It seems to be not possible to undo your like/dislike for an article. Would be great if you can. Kind regards, Helen

    • Nested notebooks

      Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to know if it is possible to nest notebooks. It would be very helpful when there are too many, as it would improve organization. Thank you for your response. Best regards.

    • Next Page