Preview and Test Send
Never send a broken email again. Preview exactly what your contacts will see, then test it in your own inbox before going live.
Preview modes
Desktop preview
See how your email renders on a standard desktop email client. The preview shows the full-width layout with all blocks, images, and styling.
Mobile preview
Toggle to mobile view to see how your email adapts to smaller screens. Check that:
- Text is readable without zooming
- Buttons are tappable
- Images scale properly
- Columns stack vertically
Preview with real contact data
See your merge variables resolved with actual contact data:
- Open the template preview
- Select a contact from the dropdown
- All
{{first_name}},{{company}}, and similar variables resolve to that contact’s real data - Review the email as your recipient would see it
This is especially useful for catching awkward phrasing when merge variables produce unexpected combinations.
Preview text
The preview text is the snippet that appears after the subject line in the recipient’s inbox. Configure it in the template settings:
- Keep it under 90 characters
- Use it to complement (not repeat) the subject line
- If left blank, email clients show the first line of your email body
Preflight checks
Before sending, WorkOnward Reach runs automatic preflight checks:
| Check | What it catches |
|---|---|
| Missing subject line | Template has no subject |
| Empty body | No content blocks in the email |
| Broken merge variables | Variables that don’t match any field |
| Missing unsubscribe link | Required for CAN-SPAM compliance |
| Large images | Images that may slow loading |
Checks are categorized as blockers (must fix) or warnings (review recommended).
Send a test email
- Click Send Test in the template editor
- Enter the email address to send to (usually your own)
- Click Send
- Check your inbox for the test email
Test with multiple email clients. Send test emails to Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail to verify rendering across platforms.
Tips
- Always preview before campaigns — A 30-second preview can save you from sending thousands of broken emails
- Check mobile every time — Over 50% of emails are opened on mobile devices
- Test with edge-case contacts — Preview with a contact who has minimal data to see how empty merge variables look
Next step: Manage your template library