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How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates

Learn how to preview, test, and validate email campaigns/templates in GHL Customer Care, including personalization, unsubscribe behavior, A/B variants, and analytics.

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  1. Key Benefits of Previewing & Testing Emails
  2. How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns
  3. How To Preview and Test Email Templates
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Related Articles

Previewing and testing emails in GHL Customer Care ensures your layout, links, and personalization render correctly before you send. This guide covers preview modes, and test sends so your campaigns and templates look right the first time.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Preview & Test for Email Campaigns/Templates?

Preview & Test refers to the tools in GHL Customer Care’s Email builder that let you visually verify content and send a safe test copy of an email before a live send. These options help you validate personalization, layout, and links without affecting real contacts or campaign metrics. Use Preview to see how your email renders in the builder, and use Send Test to deliver a sample to your inbox for a final inbox check.

Key Benefits of Previewing & Testing Emails

  • Accuracy: confirm merge fields, custom values, and conditional content appear as intended.

  • Compliance: validate that required elements (like unsubscribe sections) are present before launch.

  • Quality assurance: catch layout, image, and link issues early—especially if you imported HTML.

  • Speed: iterate quickly without sending to real lists or skewing analytics.

How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns

Note: To learn how to create, edit and send email templates and campaigns, checkout our detailed guides on Getting Started - Launch an Email Campaign & How to use the Email Builder and its In-line Editor.

  1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Campaigns.

  2. Click on a Campaign to open it.

    Step 2 of 6: Click on a C ampaign to open it What this shows Step 2 of 6: Click on a C ampaign to open it. What this shows Shows what to click for step 2 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This animation accompanies step 2 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you click on a C ampaign to open it. For context, this section explains: Note: To learn how to create, edit and send email templates and campaigns, checkout our detailed guides on Getting Started - Launch an Email Campaign & How to use the Email Builder and its In-line Editor. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Campaigns. The next step is to click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. Step 2 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > CampaignsImage 1 of 8 What to clickClick on a C ampaign to open it.
    Buttons and menus referenced CampaignMarketing > Emails >Campaigns.PreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileThree DotsTest EmailSender EmailSender NameReceiver EmailPreview Text
    Next stepClick on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Campaigns.
    2. Click on a C ampaign to open it. this image
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

  3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.

    Step 3 of 6: Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the… What this shows Step 3 of 6: Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. What this shows Shows what to click for step 3 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This animation accompanies step 3 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Campaigns. The next step is to to send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. Step 3 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > CampaignsImage 2 of 8 What to clickClick on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    Buttons and menus referenced PreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileMarketing > Emails >Campaigns.CampaignThree DotsTest EmailSender EmailSender NameReceiver EmailPreview Text
    Next stepTo send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Campaigns.
    2. Click on a C ampaign to open it.
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. this image
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

  4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button .

    Step 4 of 6: To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and… What this shows Step 4 of 6: To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. What this shows Shows what to click for step 4 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This screenshot accompanies step 4 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you to send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Campaigns. The next step is to select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject. Step 4 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > CampaignsImage 3 of 8 What to clickTo send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    Buttons and menus referenced Three DotsTest EmailMarketing > Emails >Campaigns.CampaignPreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileSender EmailSender NameReceiver EmailPreview Text
    Next stepSelect Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Campaigns.
    2. Click on a C ampaign to open it.
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. this image
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

  5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.

  6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

    Step 6 of 6: Click on the Send Test Email button What this shows Step 6 of 6: Click on the Send Test Email button. What this shows Shows what to click for step 6 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This screenshot accompanies step 6 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Send Test Email Campaigns" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you click on the Send Test Email button. For context, this section explains: Note: To learn how to create, edit and send email templates and campaigns, checkout our detailed guides on Getting Started - Launch an Email Campaign & How to use the Email Builder and its In-line Editor. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Campaigns. Step 6 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > CampaignsImage 4 of 8 What to clickClick on the Send Test Email button.
    Buttons and menus referenced Send Test EmailMarketing > Emails >Campaigns.CampaignPreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileThree DotsTest EmailSender EmailSender NameReceiver Email
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Campaigns.
    2. Click on a C ampaign to open it.
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button. this image

How To Preview and Test Email Templates

Note: The unsubscribe link will not work for test emails. 

  1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates.

  2. Click on a Template to open it.

    Step 2 of 6: Click on a Template to open it What this shows Step 2 of 6: Click on a Template to open it. What this shows Shows what to click for step 2 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This animation accompanies step 2 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you click on a Template to open it. For context, this section explains: Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates. Click on a Template to open it. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name…. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Templates. The next step is to click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. Step 2 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > TemplatesImage 5 of 8 What to clickClick on a Template to open it.
    Buttons and menus referenced Templatewill not work for test emailsMarketing > Emails >Templates.PreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileThree DotsTest EmailSender EmailSender NameReceiver EmailPreview Text
    Next stepClick on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates.
    2. Click on a Template to open it. this image
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

  3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.

    Step 3 of 6: Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the… What this shows Step 3 of 6: Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. What this shows Shows what to click for step 3 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This animation accompanies step 3 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Templates. The next step is to to send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. Step 3 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > TemplatesImage 6 of 8 What to clickClick on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    Buttons and menus referenced PreviewDesktop/Tablet/Mobilewill not work for test emailsMarketing > Emails >Templates.TemplateThree DotsTest EmailSender EmailSender NameReceiver EmailPreview Text
    Next stepTo send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates.
    2. Click on a Template to open it.
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. this image
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

  4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button .

    Step 4 of 6: To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and… What this shows Step 4 of 6: To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. What this shows Shows what to click for step 4 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This screenshot accompanies step 4 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you to send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Templates. The next step is to select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject. Step 4 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > TemplatesImage 7 of 8 What to clickTo send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    Buttons and menus referenced Three DotsTest Emailwill not work for test emailsMarketing > Emails >Templates.TemplatePreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileSender EmailSender NameReceiver EmailPreview Text
    Next stepSelect Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates.
    2. Click on a Template to open it.
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. this image
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

  5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.

  6. Click on the Send Test Email button.

    Step 6 of 6: Click on the Send Test Email button What this shows Step 6 of 6: Click on the Send Test Email button. What this shows Shows what to click for step 6 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". This screenshot accompanies step 6 of 6 in the "How To Preview and Test Email Templates" section of "How to Preview & Test Your Email Campaigns/Templates". At this point in the walkthrough you click on the Send Test Email button. For context, this section explains: Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates. Click on a Template to open it. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name…. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Emails > Templates. Step 6 of 6Path: Marketing > Emails > TemplatesImage 8 of 8 What to clickClick on the Send Test Email button.
    Buttons and menus referenced Send Test Emailwill not work for test emailsMarketing > Emails >Templates.TemplatePreviewDesktop/Tablet/MobileThree DotsTest EmailSender EmailSender NameReceiver Email
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates.
    2. Click on a Template to open it.
    3. Click on the Preview button on the top right and check the Desktop/Tablet/Mobile view.
    4. To send a test mail, click on the Three Dots beside Preview button and click on the Test Email button.
    5. Select Sender Email, add Sender Name, select Receiver Email, add Preview Text and Email Subject.
    6. Click on the Send Test Email button. this image

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why doesn’t the unsubscribe link work in my test email?

Unsubscribe is intentionally disabled in tests to protect your list. It functions normally in live sends based on your configured flow.

Q: Do test opens and clicks affect my analytics?

No. Tests are for validation; performance metrics populate from live sends.

Q: My test didn’t arrive—what should I check first?

Check Spam/Junk, verify From/service configuration, confirm the recipient isn’t suppressed, and try a different email address.

Q: Do custom unsubscribe links work in tests?

They display but won’t complete an unsubscribe action in tests. They operate in live sends as configured.

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