ActiveCampaign: AI marketing for small teams

How to use ActiveCampaign: step-by-step tutorial

Five to eight steps from the account to a first useful result. Where the official guide names a control, the step uses that name. Where it does not, the step stays general.

1. Open activecampaign.com and create an account. Read the plan list on the official site before you pay.
2. Open Contacts, then Lists, and click Add a list. Enter a list name, your company website as the list URL, and a description, then click Add. You need at least one list before you can create or import an automation. Starter plans are limited to five lists.
3. On Contacts, click Add a contact, complete the fields, and click Add. Choose Add to Lists, pick the list, and click Apply. You can also import a CSV. Each contact needs a unique email address or a unique phone number.
4. Open Email and click Start from scratch instead. Name the campaign, choose a campaign type, and click Next. On the Campaign Summary page, add the subject, From name, From email, and at least one list. Send a test, then click Send Now or schedule the send.
5. Open Automations and click Create an automation. Click Start from Scratch, or open a recipe and click Get Started.

These steps follow official guides: Create an email marketing list; Add contacts; Create and send a campaign. Checked Oct 24, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What does ActiveCampaign help you do?

Email marketing and automation, priced by how many contacts you have, with pipelines and SMS as add-ons.

Is ActiveCampaign free?

See official pricing. See the official pricing page for current plans and terms.

How much does ActiveCampaign cost?

Paid plans start at $15/mo billed annually, per the official pricing page. Confirm the figure before you buy.

Who is ActiveCampaign best for?

One business that mainly needs email automation.

How do you use ActiveCampaign?

Follow the tutorial on this page. The steps cite the official guide and stop at a first result.