Data Sources for Merge Tags
The personal details in your images can come from anywhere that can put them into a web address. Most people use the data they already have in their email platform, but you can also use your own database, an API or an automation tool, or mix several sources.
| Source | Best for | How the data gets to OKZest |
|---|---|---|
| Email platforms | Newsletters, marketing and automated emails | The platform replaces the merge tags in the image link when it sends each email |
| CRMs and sales tools | Sales outreach and cold email | The tool replaces the merge tags when it sends each email |
| Your own database or API | Websites, apps and portals | Your code adds the details to the image link, or calls the OKZest API |
| Automation tools | Connecting OKZest to other apps without code | Zapier passes the details from another app |
Email platforms
This is the easiest way to send personalized images. Your email platform (such as Mailchimp, Klaviyo or MailerLite) stores details about each subscriber, and fills them into the image link for each email it sends.
The data usually comes from:
- Sign-up forms
- Surveys and quizzes
- Your online store, if it's connected to your email platform
- Lists you import
Examples of the data you could use:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| About them | First name, last name, email address, language, location |
| Their history | Sign-up date, last order, total spent, favorite product |
| Their engagement | Membership level, points balance, renewal date |
CRMs and sales tools
Sales and outreach tools such as HubSpot, Instantly and Smartlead work the same way as email platforms. They're great for adding a prospect's name, company or website to the images in your sales emails. See the cold email guide for a full walkthrough.
Databases and APIs
For websites, apps and portals, the data can come from your own systems. A developer adds the details to the image link, for example the name of the person who's logged in. Or they can use the OKZest API to create images directly.
Examples:
- Event details and tickets
- Live sports scores
- Next service or appointment date
- Product details, prices and stock levels
- Warranty or subscription expiry dates
- Vehicle details
- Weather for the person's location
Automation tools
Zapier connects OKZest to thousands of apps without any code. For example, you could create an image for every new order in your store, or every new sign-up for your event, and send it on to another app.
Using more than one source
You can mix data from different places in the same image. For example, your email platform could fill in the person's name, while a link from your store's system fills in the product they bought.