• Start Free

    Getting Started

    How to use merge tags in Sendtric widgets

    Last updated

    A merge tag is your email platform's placeholder for subscriber data, like {{ first_name }}. When the email is sent, your platform replaces it with each subscriber's own value. Sendtric widgets read those values from their image link, so the same widget can show something different to every subscriber.

    Which widgets use merge tags

    WidgetWhat the merge tag is for
    Countdown timer (Start on Email Open with Unique User)A unique subscriber ID, so each person's countdown starts on their first open
    Countdown timer (Start on Email Send, Dynamic)A timestamp: when the email was sent, or a date for each subscriber
    PollsA unique subscriber ID, so each person gets one vote
    Image PersonalizationThe text, images and other dynamic content to show, such as a name, location, loyalty tier, product information or dynamic pricing
    Rule-based ImagesSubscriber data your rules check, such as loyalty tier, device type, email platform or a date, to decide which image or widget to show
    Weather widgetThe subscriber's city or postcode, or a start date

    Standard countdown timers, critical alerts and social proof counters can work without any merge tags.

    How they appear in your code

    In the dashboard you either enter your platform's merge tag in the widget's settings, or the code contains a placeholder for you to replace:

    • Polls: the UID merge tag field in Poll Settings.
    • Image Personalization: the ESP Merge Tag field for each variable.
    • Timers: pick your platform in the Email Service Provider picker and the right tag is filled in for you. If Sendtric doesn't know your platform's tag yet, you'll see {UNIQUE IDENTIFIER} or {UNIX TIMESTAMP} to replace.
    • Rule-based Images: the code contains placeholders such as {{LOYALTY_TIER}} to replace.
    • Weather: replace city,countryCode, zipCode,countryCode or YYYY-MM-DD in the code (or pick Klaviyo tags in the editor).

    Example merge tags

    PlatformUnique subscriber IDExample
    Klaviyo{{ person.KlaviyoID }}City: {{ person|lookup:'City' }}
    Mailchimp*|UNIQID|*Send time: *|DATE:U|*
    HubSpot{{ contact.hs_object_id }}

    Other platforms have their own syntax. Check your platform's merge tag documentation, or our integration guides.

    Set your platform once in Settings > Account settings > Default Email Service Provider and new timers will use its merge tags automatically. If you connect Klaviyo, Mailchimp or HubSpot, you can also browse your real merge tags from inside the editor. See how to connect Klaviyo, Mailchimp or HubSpot.

    Test before you send

    Send yourself a test email, then check:

    1. The widget shows your test subscriber's data.
    2. The image link in the email contains a real value, not the merge tag itself. For example, after uid= you should see an ID, not {{ person.KlaviyoID }}.

    Some email platforms don't fill in merge tags in test emails. If your test shows the merge tag instead of real data, do a real send to a small list made up of your testers' email addresses.

    If the merge tag isn't replaced, the widget can't personalize. Personalized images show their fallback text (or hide that text), weather widgets show their fallback, and polls treat everyone as the same voter.

    Related

    Was this article helpful?

    Click the image to zoom in. Drag or scroll to look around.