ContactMonkey offers two sending options: Send & Track and Send Test. Understanding when to use each button ensures your emails are properly tracked and formatted.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Send & Track | Send Test |
| Purpose | Send to your final recipients | Preview formatting and test links |
| Dashboard Tracking | Yes | No |
| Interactive Features | Yes (polls, RSVPs, reactions) | No (preview only) |
| Subject Line | Exactly as written | Adds "CM Test -" prefix |
| Who Receives It | Distribution list, contact list, or CSV recipients | Your email address or To field contacts |
| Hyperlinks | Tracked and functional | Functional but not tracked |
When to Use Send Test
Use Send Test to preview your email before sending to your full audience.
Outlook 365
- Click Send Test in the ContactMonkey Add-in
- Choose one option:
- My Email Address – Sends only to you
- "To" Field Contacts – Sends to email addresses entered in the Outlook To field
Dashboard Sending
- Click Send a test email on the Compose & Send page
- Enter the email address(es) you would like to send a test to
- Click Send test
Outlook Non-365
- Populate the To field or upload a CSV of your test recipient(s)
- Click Preview in the ContactMonkey Add-in
Note: The "CM Test -" prefix is not included for this platform.
What to check in your test
- Email formatting
- Link functionality
- Mobile and desktop appearance
- Merge tag accuracy
When to Use Send & Track
Click here for more information.
Critical warning: Do not use Outlook's native send button for ContactMonkey emails, unless you are using Outlook Non-365. This will prevent tracking and may cause formatting issues.
Common Mistake to Avoid
⚠️ Never select "To Field Contacts" when testing if your distribution list is already in the To field. This will send the test to your entire distribution list instead of just your test recipients.
Best practice: Remove your distribution list from the To field before sending a test, or always choose My Email Address for testing.