Sending
Sending yourself a test
Testing a campaign before it goes out, what to look at, and what to do when the test does not arrive.
Last updated September 2, 2026
Never launch a campaign you have not read as a recipient. A test send delivers the real email to an address you choose, so you see exactly what your customers will get.
What to check
- The subject line and the from name, as they appear in the inbox list.
- How it looks on a phone — that is where most of it will be read.
- Whether it makes sense before images load.
- Every link, clicked.
- The footer, including the unsubscribe link.
If the test does not arrive
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Junk or spam folder | By far the most common answer, especially for the first test of a new template. |
| The address you sent it to | A typo sends the test somewhere real and silent. |
| Your own unsubscribe or bounce status | If your address is on the unsubscribe or bounced list, it is excluded like any other. |
| A minute or two | Sending is queued rather than instant. Firing off six tests does not help. |
TEST TO MORE THAN ONE MAILBOX
Outlook, Gmail and Apple Mail all render email differently, and your own work inbox is the one least likely to have a problem — it already trusts your domain. A second address elsewhere catches far more.