# Testing your campaign

> Preview, send a test, and run the pre-send checklist so your campaign is right before it goes out.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/testing-your-campaign
Updated: 2026-06-10

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Before you hit send, test your campaign properly. Email clients and devices render things differently, so what looks perfect in the editor can break in an inbox - and the most common, most embarrassing mistakes (a broken link, a typo in the subject) are exactly what a quick test catches. This guide walks through it.

## Preview and test

1. Click the **eye icon** at the top right of the email designer to preview the **desktop** and **mobile** versions.
2. Check **dark mode** in the same place.
3. Send yourself a **test email**: click the arrow at the top right and choose **Send test email**. It's worth sending to a colleague too, for a fresh pair of eyes on typos.

Every time you change something, send another test. Check everything twice.

## Pre-send checklist

**Preview**

- Desktop and mobile both display correctly.

**Header**

- There's a "view in browser" link.
- It's clear to the reader why they're receiving this.

**Body**

- All images display.
- Hovering an image shows clear alt text.
- Every link works and goes to the right place.
- Special characters display correctly.

**Footer**

- You have an unsubscribe link (`[UNSUBSCRIBE]`).
- You have your address tag (`[CLIENTS.ADDRESS]`).

## The campaign summary

When you click **Continue**, triple-check:

- **Campaign name** - set it.
- **Sender name and email** - recognisable to your readers.
- **Preheader** - clear, useful and inviting.
- **To** - the correct list.
- **Subject** - clear, and free of typos.

## Choose when to send

- **Send as soon as possible** - if you're ready now.
- **Schedule for later** - pick a date and time (you can schedule up to the end of next year).

Then send with confidence.

## Troubleshooting

**Test email not received** - check spam, confirm the address, and allow 5-10 minutes.

**Preview won't load** - clear your cache, try Chrome or Firefox, and disable extensions.

**Broken images in the test** - upload images to the library first, use HTTPS URLs, and keep each under 1 MB.

**Links aren't clickable** - include the full URL (https://...), and test them outside the editor.

**Merge tags don't show data** - they don't populate in preview; send a test email to see them, and check the syntax.

For the compliance tags, see **[Add an unsubscribe link](/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-an-unsubscribe-link)** and **[Add your physical address](/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-your-physical-address)**. Stuck? [Open a support ticket](/knowledgebase/getting-started/how-to-create-a-support-ticket-in-mykualo).

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/testing-your-campaign · © Kualo Ltd._
