Import contacts cleanly and safely

A clean import protects deliverability, reduces duplicate records, and makes segmentation more useful later.

Module 4Estimated time: 8 minList quality matters
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Module 4

Why data quality matters before the first send

Imports are one of the fastest ways to improve or damage future campaign performance. Clean, permission-based data supports better engagement and fewer bounces. Old, unverified, or poorly structured data creates problems that show up later as low opens, high complaints, or weak reporting.

Prepare the file before upload

  • Use CSV format unless the current workflow supports another option.
  • Make sure the email column is present and contains valid addresses.
  • Remove obvious duplicates, empty rows, and records that should not be mailed.
  • Keep only the fields that will actually be useful for personalization, segmentation, or compliance.

Map fields with intention

Field mapping is not just a technical checkbox. It determines whether personalization and segmentation can be trusted later. A clean import makes later campaigns more accurate and more relevant.

Email field

This must be mapped correctly, or the import cannot support live sending properly.

Name fields

These matter if the account will use personalization or segmented greetings.

Custom fields

Import only what will help future targeting, reporting, or compliance decisions.

Monitor progress instead of assuming completion

Large imports may process in the background. Users should look for status updates, completion logs, or import progress screens before assuming the contacts are ready.

Good disciplineImporting less but better data is usually stronger than importing every old address available. Quality almost always beats quantity in the early stages of a sender program.