Custom fields in a database: how to add & where to use

In Altcraft Platform automation system, every database contains standard fields that store essential subscriber information:

• email and phone numbers
• first and last name
• date of birth
• gender
• registration information (date, IP address, city, and country)
• latest data from customer action history (IP address, city, country, region, etc.)
• time zone etc.

These details are displayed in the digital customer profile and are used for email personalization and audience segmentation. However, often this data is insufficient. Occasionally, it's necessary to store additional customer information in the database, such as their job title or a list of preferences. This is where additional fields come to your aid.

A custom field is a database field where extra information about a customer is stored. Platform users create and configure such fields according to their specific needs.

How to add a custom field

Go to the "Data" section and select "Profiles Databases". Choose an existing database or create a new one. Scroll down to the "Add custom field" section and press it.

Then choose a necessary field:

Integer

It’s a field for recording a natural positive or negative number. For instance, this is where you can store a client's current bonus points or their identifier in a CRM system.

bonus_points: 200

Float

It stores values in decimal fractions, such as the current lead scoring values.

lead_score: 20.5

Line

It contains any text in any language, including numbers, special characters, and spaces. It uses the Unicode standard. In this field, you can store the customer's position or leave brief notes after communication with manager.

position: CRM_manager

Date

It’s a field for storing dates, for example, the date of contract signing or the expiration date of a subscription. The date should be recorded in ISO format.

Boolean

The field can only take two values: true or false. Use it when you need to indicate the presence or absence of a certain characteristic for the customer, such as VIP status.

vip_status: true

List

It contains user-defined values. Allows selecting one option from several. Options are written in a comma-separated string. This field can be used to store the client's subscription plan, marital status, and more.

package: Basic, Standard, Premium

IP

IP in format of IPv4.

profile_IP: 127.0.0.1

Tags

The field can store multiple values simultaneously. Use it to store values that can change. For example, customer preferences or products they've purchased. Tags are recorded in a line separated by

• comma ,
• vertical bar |
• semicolon ;

preferences: dance, yoga, football, tennis, camping

Object

It’s a field for storing undefined data: a set of flags or complex data structures.

last_flight_info: {"flight_id":"AD 2503","departure_date":"31-12-2021","from":"Moscow","to":"Madrid","class":"A"}

Objects array

It’s a field for storing sub-tables, e.g., a list of managers, contracts, etc.

managers: [{"name":"Johnny Doe","phone":"+79029017994"},{"name":"Clinton Smith","phone":"+7004567889"}]

Enter the field name. It will be used during profile import. The name should start with a letter. Only Latin letters, numbers, and underscores are allowed. Spaces are not allowed. For example, bonus_points.

Custom field settings:

• Default value: This value will be inserted into the field if no data is provided for this field during the import of a new profile.

• Make required: Import will be impossible without providing a value for this field. However, if you set a default value, you can still import a profile even if it lacks data for this field.

• Subscription manager: The field will appear on the subscription manager page.

You can add any number of fields. To remove an unnecessary field, click on the cross icon on the right. You can also change the order of fields by dragging and dropping the blocks with your mouse.

After you finish configuring additional fields, don't forget to save your changes.

Where custom fields are used

Audience segmentation

Utilize information from additional fields to build segments. For instance, if you run a sports equipment store and have added a field for customer preferences (field type: tag), you can curate a selection of products for hiking enthusiasts. Now, you want to send an email campaign specifically to customers interested in hiking.

Set up a segment by selecting criteria based on the additional field – preferences. List the relevant tags separated by commas. If at least one of these tags is present in the additional field, the customer will be included in the segment and will receive an email with recommended products.

Trigger campaigns

Trigger campaigns send messages as soon as a specified event occurs in the platform. In this case, the event will be a change in the value of an additional field, bonus_points, which stores a customer's bonus points.

Let's say we want customers to always be informed about their available bonus points. We'll set up a trigger based on the "changed" condition. If a customer makes a purchase, the value will increase. If they use points for payment, the value will decrease. In either case, we'll send an SMS with the current balance and a reminder of the deadline by which the points should be used.

Message personalization

You've set up the trigger, but don't forget to create the message template :)

Go to the "Templates" section and create a new template for the SMS channel. Enter the message text and add a link using the editor.

Place the cursor where you want to add the value of the additional field for bonus points. Click </> on the toolbar. A list of all available variables will appear. A variable is content that will change based on the recipient. In this case, it's the bonus_points field. Click "From profile" → "Custom field" in the drop-out list.

Then select the customer database and the name of a custom field in the pop-up window.

The generated variable {lead.bonus_points} will be automatically added to the template.

Now it’s ready. You can attach this template to the trigger-based campaign.

Conclusion

Custom fields in Altcraft Platform enable marketers to store important customer information in the database. You can add a new field during profile database setup and editing. Afterwards, you can use this data for advanced audience segmentation, message personalization, and configuring trigger campaigns.