Lead Action

The Lead Action is a digital sales tool that makes sharing an app more productive through automated data capture, engagement tracking, open alerts, and offline use. It's a powerful tool with many options.

Its core components are:

• A customizable lead form 
• The option to share the app, a URL, or a deep link to an Action
• A unique platform-generated URL for each prospect engagement
• An optional channel selector for sharing via sms, email, social, QR, and shared links
• Engagement metrics
• CRM integration
• Real time open alerts
• Optional security
• Offline operation

Setting up a Form Action

Begin by selecting the email address destination. A copy of the lead data will be emailed to this address when leads are shared. Optionally, an alert will be emailed to this same address when a prospect opens the shared app.

Decide if you want the Lead form to be secured behind a passcode to so only you can use it. If so, check the "Secure" options and enable App mode security in the [Security] tab.

Next, build the lead form with any of the elements in the form builder. Collect name and email address or add additional fields critical to your business such as lead source, geolocation to remind you of precisely where the interaction took place, image uploads, notes, etc.

Note that several elements are hidden. There is a toggle to Show or Hide these hidden elements while building the form.

The hidden elements include:

• Time stamp - Records the precise time the lead was shared.
• App ID - Records the ID of the app that shared the lead.
• Action Name -Records the name of the Action 
• Hidden - Any information needed by a CRM such as a category tag or the sales agent's name
• Share Method -Records how the lead was shared (i.e., SMS, Email, Social, QR, or None

The visible form elements include:

• Text Field - Alphanumeric input field with a user-defined field name
• Email Field - Field for email addresses with a user-defined field name
• Phone # Field - Field for telephone numbers with a user-defined field name
• Checkbox - An opt-in or opt-out field where the user checks a box to affirm the associated text, which may also include links such as to a privacy policy.
• Choice - Create multiple choice, checklist, or survey questions. Optionally allow multiple answers or only a single answer. Present the options as a list or as a "drop-down-selector."
• File Upload - A button to allow one to take a photo, upload photos from the library, or upload files. One can optionally select to allow only a single file/photo or multiple. Uploaded files are optionally stored at a secure URL that may only be accessed by a user logged into the account. That URL is sent to the email address designated in the File upload setup.
• Geolocation - A hidden field that will ask the user to access their precise location when the form is submitted. This is visible because it asks the user's permsission.
• Message - A text field with a large format input box, such as might be used for support input or for a testimonial.
• Rating - A rating or review element with optional views, including a 1-10 selector, a 5 star selector, or a thumbs up/down selector.
• Rich Text -  A static Text option allows one to add rich text as a header, footer, or for directional content mid form. 
• Time/Date -  Adds a date selector, a time selector, or a date and time selector.

                     

After creating the lead form, there are several optional fields:

1. [Email Subject] - used to autofill the email subject line when an app is shared via email. 
2. [Pull from Data Tab] - causes the Action to pull the email address from the app's database, located in the app's Data tab.
3. [Default Share Message] - default text that is added in the body of an email, text message, or other channel with a message option.
4. [Email BCC] -when checked, will email a copy of the lead to the designated email address.
5. [Add Tracking Code] - option will add a unique key to the shared URL to make the URL unique. This is required for engagement metrics and open alerts.
6. [Alert on Open] option to email the designated email address when a shared app is opened.
7. Enabling a shortcut will allow you to access a lead form by long-pressing the home screen icon. You will also get to choose the title to this shortcut. (Currently, this option only works on Android devices.)
8. [Share URL] is the URL to be shared. I can be the host app's URL, a third party URL, or a specific Action. Note that engagement tracking will not work with non-platform URLs.
9. [Share Later] adds a button to give the user the option of saving the form data inside their phone and completing the share transaction later - when the timing is better or when they can put more thought into their message.
10. [Add to DB] is an option button that will save the form data to the lead database and optionally forward to a CRM, but without sharing a URL with a prospect.
11. [Default Share Method] is an option to preset the share method, with the further option of elmininating the share method selector.

                

Use the [Form Settings] to adjust the form's style, or to choose if the form will appear on-page or after a call-to-action (CTA).

Use the [Form Integrations] to integrate with Google sheets or third party platforms.

Sample lead form

The lead form may be customized to collect as much or as little information as desired.

        

Sample lead capture email

       

View of lead database

           

Offline use

When you share your card but are offline, it will sense that there is no internet and automatically save the transaction. Your card will even remember multiple interactions. Enter each prospect’s information when you engage, and your card will queue these contacts for sending when online again, after a review and edit if needed.

When your app automatically saves a lead, a [Saved] button will appear. Tap the button when you have internet and you can reload the lead data and complete the share transaction.

           

                              

Notes:

The feature ensures that each message arrives from a trusted source. All messages originate directly from the salesperson’s email client, phone, or social account. It does not rely on third party accounts that might raise a red flag with security conscious prospects.

The feature also tracks engagement without using cookies, tracking pixels, or redirects that can trigger Apple and Google security protections.

Applications for a Lead Action

To capture lead data every time you share your digital business card or other sales literature.

To monitor when prospects engage with shared apps.

To create different app URLs for different channels to monitor their relative performance.

To pass lead information directly to your CRM.

To create referral buttons where you immediately capture information about both the referred and referring parties.

Integrations

Use the "Form Integrations" button to add additional destination email addresses, a webhook endpoint, an API integration, or to integrate with a Google Sheet. Reference the article on integrations in this section.

If you choose Google Sheets, you will have the option of entering a name to create a new sheet, or to pick an existing sheet in your account. You will have to authorize permission to access your Google Account. The request will come from Phy.net, which is the platform domain.