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What is GoBlue Automation?

GoBlue automation is the orchestration of multiple systems to create seamless, personalized messaging workflows. It combines webhook data collection, message templating, scheduling, and iOS Shortcuts execution to deliver timely, relevant iMessages without manual intervention. The automation system bridges the gap between digital marketing tools and personal communication, enabling businesses to maintain a human touch at scale.

Automation Components

Data Flow Pipeline

1

Trigger Event

An external event occurs in your business systems:
  • Website form submission
  • CRM contact creation
  • E-commerce purchase
  • Appointment booking
  • Support ticket creation
2

Data Capture

The external system sends structured data to GoBlue via webhook:
{
  "firstName": "Sarah",
  "phoneNumber": "+1234567890",
  "serviceType": "Website Design",
  "budget": "$5,000",
  "timeline": "2 weeks"
}
3

Message Generation

GoBlue processes the data through your configured form:
  • Validates required fields
  • Applies message template
  • Personalizes content with variables
  • Schedules delivery if configured
4

Queue Management

The personalized message is added to your sending queue:
  • Organized by priority
  • Grouped by delivery time
  • Tracked for completion status
5

Delivery Execution

When you run the iOS Shortcut:
  • Messages are retrieved from queue
  • iMessages are sent via iOS
  • Delivery status is tracked
  • Recipients are updated in contacts

Automation Features

Message Templating

Create dynamic, personalized message templates:
Use double curly braces to insert dynamic content:
Hi {{firstName}}, 

Thanks for your interest in {{serviceType}}! 
Based on your {{budget}} budget and {{timeline}} timeline, 
I have some great ideas to share.

When would be a good time to chat?

- {{agentName}}
While not directly supported in templates, you can create multiple forms for different scenarios:
  • High Budget Form: Premium service messaging
  • Low Budget Form: Value-focused messaging
  • Urgent Timeline Form: Quick response messaging
Handle missing data gracefully:
Hi {{firstName|there}},

Thanks for reaching out about {{serviceType|our services}}!
Fallback syntax (|) is not currently supported but is on the roadmap.

Scheduling & Timing

Control when messages are delivered:

Immediate Delivery

Send messages as soon as the iOS Shortcut is run

Delayed Delivery

Schedule messages for future delivery (minutes, hours, days, weeks)

Business Hours Only

Configure delivery windows to respect business hours

Time Zone Awareness

Respect recipient time zones for optimal delivery timing

Contact Management

Automatically organize and track your messaging:
New contacts are automatically created from webhook data:
  • Phone number (required)
  • First and last name
  • Associated form for context
  • Timestamp of first contact
Monitor the lifecycle of each contact:
  • New: Just added to system
  • Contacted: Message has been sent
  • Responded: Reply received (manual update)
  • Converted: Goal achieved (manual update)
Track all automated messages sent to each contact:
  • Message content
  • Delivery timestamp
  • Associated form/campaign
  • Success/failure status

Automation Workflows

Lead Nurturing Sequence

Set up progressive messaging for new leads:
1

Immediate Welcome

Trigger: Form submission
Timing: Immediate
Message: Welcome and next steps
2

Follow-up Reminder

Trigger: Same form, delayed
Timing: 24 hours later
Message: Additional information or scheduling
3

Value-Add Content

Trigger: Third form in sequence
Timing: 3 days later
Message: Helpful resources or case studies
4

Direct Outreach

Trigger: Fourth form
Timing: 1 week later
Message: Personal invitation to connect

Customer Onboarding

Automate post-purchase communication:

Purchase Confirmation

Immediate confirmation with order details and next steps

Setup Instructions

24-hour delay with account setup or product usage guidance

Check-in Message

3-day delay asking if they need any help getting started

Success Follow-up

1-week delay requesting feedback or reviews

Event-Driven Messaging

Respond to specific business events:
Trigger: Calendar booking webhook
Automation: Immediate confirmation with details and preparation instructions
Trigger: Help desk webhook
Automation: Acknowledge receipt and provide ticket number with expected response time
Trigger: Payment gateway webhook
Automation: Receipt confirmation and service activation notification
Trigger: Billing system webhook
Automation: Plan change confirmation and feature access updates

Integration Patterns

CRM Automation

Salesforce Integration:
// Apex trigger on Lead creation
trigger LeadToGoBlue on Lead (after insert) {
    for (Lead newLead : Trigger.new) {
        // Send to GoBlue form
        GoBlueAPI.sendWebhook(newLead);
    }
}
HubSpot Integration:
// Workflow webhook action
const goBlueData = {
    firstName: contact.firstname,
    lastName: contact.lastname,
    phoneNumber: contact.phone,
    leadScore: contact.hubspotscore,
    lifecycle: contact.lifecyclestage
};

await fetch('https://api.goblue.app/v1/forms/{form-id}/webhook', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify(goBlueData)
});

E-commerce Automation

Shopify Integration:
// Shopify webhook handler
app.post('/shopify/order/created', (req, res) => {
    const order = req.body;
    
    const goBlueData = {
        firstName: order.customer.first_name,
        lastName: order.customer.last_name,
        phoneNumber: order.customer.phone,
        orderNumber: order.order_number,
        totalPrice: order.total_price,
        items: order.line_items.map(item => item.title).join(', ')
    };
    
    // Send to GoBlue
    sendToGoBlue(goBlueData);
});
WooCommerce Integration:
// WordPress action hook
add_action('woocommerce_order_status_completed', 'send_to_goblue');

function send_to_goblue($order_id) {
    $order = wc_get_order($order_id);
    
    $data = array(
        'firstName' => $order->get_billing_first_name(),
        'lastName' => $order->get_billing_last_name(),
        'phoneNumber' => $order->get_billing_phone(),
        'orderTotal' => $order->get_total(),
        'products' => implode(', ', wp_list_pluck($order->get_items(), 'name'))
    );
    
    wp_remote_post('https://api.goblue.app/v1/forms/{form-id}/webhook', array(
        'headers' => array('Content-Type' => 'application/json'),
        'body' => json_encode($data)
    ));
}

Advanced Automation Features

Bulk Processing

Handle high-volume scenarios efficiently:
The iOS Shortcut can process multiple messages in a single execution:
  • Retrieve up to 50 messages per run
  • Process them sequentially through Messages app
  • Provide success/failure summary
Automatic handling of API rate limits:
  • Pause between requests when limits approached
  • Queue excess messages for later processing
  • Retry failed requests with exponential backoff
Messages can be prioritized based on:
  • Form importance settings
  • Message timing requirements
  • Customer value or status

Error Handling & Recovery

Robust automation requires comprehensive error handling:

Data Validation

Automatic validation of incoming webhook data for completeness and format

Retry Logic

Automatic retry of failed message deliveries with intelligent backoff

Fallback Templates

Default message templates when dynamic content fails to load

Error Notifications

Alert administrators when automation errors occur

Monitoring & Analytics

Performance Tracking

Monitor your automation effectiveness:
Track message delivery performance:
  • Messages sent per day/week/month
  • Success/failure rates
  • Average delivery time
  • Peak usage periods
Monitor engagement (requires manual tracking):
  • Messages that received replies
  • Conversion to appointments/sales
  • Customer satisfaction scores
Monitor automation system status:
  • Webhook response times
  • API error rates
  • iOS Shortcut execution frequency
  • Queue depth and processing time

Optimization Strategies

A/B Testing

Test different message templates and timing strategies

Personalization

Increase personalization depth based on available data

Timing Optimization

Analyze response patterns to optimize send times

Content Refinement

Continuously improve message templates based on feedback

Best Practices

Design Principles

Begin with basic welcome messages and gradually add complexity as you learn what works.
Always provide value in your automated messages and respect opt-out requests.
Test all automation workflows with your own phone number before deploying to customers.
Regularly review delivery rates, response rates, and system errors to maintain effectiveness.

Compliance Considerations

Ensure your automated messaging complies with relevant regulations:
  • TCPA (US): Obtain consent before sending marketing messages
  • GDPR (EU): Respect data privacy and deletion requests
  • CAN-SPAM: Include clear sender identification and opt-out mechanisms
  • Industry Standards: Follow best practices for your specific industry

Troubleshooting Automation

Common Issues

Check:
  • Form capturing is enabled
  • Webhook URLs are correct
  • External system is sending valid JSON
  • Required fields are included in webhook data
Verify:
  • Variable names match form field names exactly
  • Curly brace syntax is correct: {{fieldName}}
  • Webhook data includes the referenced fields
Review:
  • iOS Shortcut execution frequency
  • Message queue depth
  • Network connectivity issues
  • iOS app permissions and restrictions

Next Steps