Table of Contents

Intro

In this guide, you’ll learn everything—from setting up your hosting environment and installing Mautic to creating contacts, segments, email templates, forms, and building complex automation campaigns. Whether you’re new to Mautic or transitioning from a simpler tool like Aweber, this article will show you exactly what to do at each step.

1. Setting Up Your Environment

Before you can create your automated email marketing system, you need to install and configure Mautic correctly. We’ll cover both self-hosting and managed hosting options, plus show you how to configure cron jobs and SSL.

1.1. Installing Mautic on Your Server

A. Prerequisites

Make sure your server meets the Mautic system requirements. Typically, you’ll need:

PHP 7.2+ or 8.x with required PHP extensions
MySQL/MariaDB as a database
Apache or Nginx as a web server
Composer (if you plan to manage dependencies manually)

For a Linux server (like Ubuntu), you might run the following commands:

# Update your package index
sudo apt-get update

# Install PHP and extensions (adjust PHP version as needed)
sudo apt-get install php php-mysql php-curl php-json php-xml php-mbstring php-zip

# Install Apache
sudo apt-get install apache2

# Install MySQL Server
sudo apt-get install mysql-server

# Secure your MySQL installation
sudo mysql_secure_installation

B. Downloading and Installing Mautic (Self-Hosted)

Download Mautic:
Visit Mautic’s download page or use wget to download it directly to your server.

   cd /var/www/html
   wget https://www.mautic.org/download/latest -O mautic.zip

Extract Files:
Unzip the downloaded file.

   sudo apt-get install unzip
   unzip mautic.zip -d mautic

Set Permissions:
Ensure the web server can write to necessary directories.

   cd mautic
   sudo chown -R www-data:www-data .
   sudo chmod -R 755 .

Configure Your Web Server:
For Apache, create a VirtualHost. For example, create a file at /etc/apache2/sites-available/mautic.conf with:

   <VirtualHost *:80>
       ServerName yourdomain.com
       DocumentRoot /var/www/html/mautic

       <Directory /var/www/html/mautic>
           AllowOverride All
           Require all granted
       </Directory>

       ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/mautic_error.log
       CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/mautic_access.log combined
   </VirtualHost>

Enable it and rewrite module, then restart Apache:

   sudo a2ensite mautic.conf
   sudo a2enmod rewrite
   sudo systemctl restart apache2

Run the Installation Wizard:
Navigate in your web browser to http://yourdomain.com and follow the on-screen installation steps. You’ll create a database, an admin account, and perform system configuration.

C. Managed Hosting Option

If you prefer not to manage your own server:

Choose a managed provider who supports Mautic (some providers specialize in it).
The provider handles installations, backups, updates, and security while you focus solely on managing your campaigns.

1.2. Configuring Cron Jobs and SSL

Mautic uses cron jobs to run scheduled tasks like sending emails and updating segments. Set these up correctly to ensure smooth operation.

A. Setting Up Cron Jobs

Edit your crontab with crontab -e and add these lines (adjust the file path for your installation):

# Trigger campaigns every minute
* * * * * /usr/bin/php /var/www/html/mautic/app/console mautic:campaigns:trigger >> /dev/null 2>&1

# Update segments every minute
* * * * * /usr/bin/php /var/www/html/mautic/app/console mautic:segments:update >> /dev/null 2>&1

# Rebuild campaign stats every minute
* * * * * /usr/bin/php /var/www/html/mautic/app/console mautic:campaigns:rebuild >> /dev/null 2>&1

B. Enabling SSL

For secure communications (and to improve email deliverability), install an SSL certificate. If you’re using Apache, you can use Let’s Encrypt:

sudo apt-get install certbot python3-certbot-apache
sudo certbot --apache -d yourdomain.com

Certbot will guide you, and upon success, your site will be available via HTTPS.

2. Importing Contacts and Creating Segments

Now that Mautic is up and running, it’s time to bring in your audience. We’ll cover importing contacts from a CSV file and structuring segments so your subsequent automations can target specific groups.

2.1. Importing Your Contact Data

A. Preparing Your CSV File

Prepare a CSV file with column headers that match Mautic’s contact fields. For instance, create a file called contacts.csv:

first_name,last_name,email,tags
John,Doe,john.doe@example.com,lead,webinar
Jane,Smith,jane.smith@example.com,customer

Tip: You can add custom fields if you’ve defined them in Mautic (such as phone, company, etc.).

B. Import Process in Mautic

Navigate to Mautic Dashboard:
Click on “Contacts” then “Import.”
Upload the CSV File:
Select your contacts.csv file, then click “Upload.”
Map the Fields:
Mautic will display a mapping screen. Ensure that each CSV column (like first_name) maps correctly to the corresponding Mautic field. Drag and drop if needed.
Begin the Import:
Confirm your settings and start the import process. Mautic will show progress and notify you on completion.

2.2. Creating Smart Segments

Segments let you group contacts based on their data or behavior. This is crucial for sending targeted emails.

A. Creating a New Segment

Access the Segment Builder:
In the top menu, click on “Segments” then “New.”
Set the Segment Criteria:
For example, name the segment “New Subscribers.”
Use filters like:

Field: tags
Condition: contains
Value: lead This way, any contact with the tag “lead” automatically appears in this segment.

Save and Test:
Once you save, Mautic will update your segment automatically based on your criteria.

B. Dynamic Segments Based on Behavior

You can create segments that update automatically when users interact with emails. For example, have one segment that includes contacts who open your “Welcome Email.” This dynamic grouping will later allow you to trigger different actions.

3. Creating Email Templates and Sign-Up Forms

A professional email campaign starts with stunning email templates and lead-generating forms. Here, we’ll cover designing emails with HTML and creating embedded sign-up forms.

3.1. Designing Responsive Email Templates

Mautic offers a drag-and-drop email builder, but for complete control, sometimes you’ll want to edit HTML directly.

A. A Detailed HTML Email Template

Below is a fully responsive email template that you can adapt. Notice the use of personalization tokens (for example, {contactfield=firstname}) that automatically insert a subscriber’s name:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>Welcome to Our Newsletter</title>
  <style type="text/css">
    /* Simple inline CSS for maximum compatibility */
    body { margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
    .container { width: 100%; max-width: 600px; margin: auto; }
    .header { background-color: #f7f7f7; padding: 20px; text-align: center; }
    .content { padding: 20px; }
    .footer { background-color: #f7f7f7; padding: 10px; text-align: center; font-size: 12px; color: #777; }
    a { color: #0073AA; text-decoration: none; }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div class="container">
    <div class="header">
      <h1>Welcome to Our Community!</h1>
    </div>
    <div class="content">
      <p>Hi {contactfield=firstname},</p>
      <p>Thank you for signing up for our newsletter! We’re thrilled to have you here and promise to deliver great content, updates, and offers on a regular basis.</p>
      <p>Feel free to explore our blog or contact us directly if you have any questions.</p>
      <p>Cheers,<br>Your Company Team</p>
    </div>
    <div class="footer">
      <p>You’re receiving this email because you signed up at our website. <br>
      <a href="[[unsubscribe_url]]">Unsubscribe</a> if you no longer wish to receive these emails.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</body>
</html>

Steps to Use the Template:

In Mautic, go to Components > Emails > New.
Choose “Segment Email” or “Channel Email” based on your use case.
Switch to the HTML view, paste in your template, and adjust the content, colors, and styles as needed.
Save and preview the email on both desktop and mobile devices.

3.2. Creating and Embedding Sign-Up Forms

Your sign-up forms are the front door to your email list. Mautic offers a form builder, and you can then embed the form on your site.

A. Building the Form in Mautic

Navigate to Forms:
On the Mautic dashboard, click on “Components > Forms > New.”
Design Your Form:

Add fields such as “First Name” and “Email Address.”
Configure validation (set the email field as required).
Customize styling (or leave it minimal if you prefer to override with your own CSS).

Set Form Actions:
Define what happens after submission—a thank-you message or redirection to a thank-you page.
Associate the Form with a Segment:
In the “Actions” tab, add an action to assign contacts to the “New Subscribers” segment. This ensures that any new sign-up triggers your welcome campaign.

B. Embedding the Form on Your Site

After saving your form, Mautic generates embed code. You can use this code or create your own manual version if you wish. Below is a sample HTML snippet to embed a Mautic form:

<!-- Mautic Lead Capture Form Embed -->
<div id="mauticform_contactform" class="mauticform_wrapper">
  <form method="post" action="https://yourmauticdomain.com/form/submit?formId=1">
    <label for="mauticform_first_name">First Name:</label>
    <input type="text" name="mauticform[first_name]" id="mauticform_first_name" required>

    <label for="mauticform_email">Email:</label>
    <input type="email" name="mauticform[email]" id="mauticform_email" required>

    <!-- Hidden Values -->
    <input type="hidden" name="mauticform[formId]" value="1">
    <input type="hidden" name="mauticform[return]" value="https://yourdomain.com/thank-you">

    <button type="submit">Subscribe</button>
  </form>
</div>

Notes:

Replace https://yourmauticdomain.com with your actual domain.
The hidden inputs tell Mautic which form is used and where to redirect on success.

4. Building Automated Campaigns

Now comes the heart of the operation—crafting automation flows that replicate Aweber’s ease-of-use. You’ll build campaigns that trigger based on contact actions, use delays, and conditionals to nurture your contacts.

4.1. Planning Your Campaign Flow

Before configuring Mautic, map out the entire journey. For example, a typical welcome campaign may look like:

[Visitor Submits Form] → [Contact Added to "New Subscribers" Segment]
       ↓
[Immediate: Send Welcome Email]
       ↓
[Wait 2 Days]
       ↓
[Send Educational Email]
       ↓
[Conditional Check: Has Contact Opened Previous Email?]
       ├── Yes: Send “More Info” Email
       └── No: Resend "Reminder" Email or Send a Follow-Up CTA

Creating a flowchart (either drawn or using ASCII) can clarify the logic behind your triggers and actions.

4.2. Configuring the Campaign in Mautic

A. Create a New Campaign

Go to Campaigns:
In the Mautic dashboard, select “Campaigns > New.”
Name Your Campaign:
For example, “Welcome Campaign for New Subscribers.”
Define the Source:

Choose the segment that will trigger the campaign (e.g., “New Subscribers”).
Mautic automatically adds contacts from that segment.

B. Designing the Automation Workflow

Using the drag-and-drop builder in Mautic, include:

Actions:
Send Email: Choose from your pre-created email templates (e.g., Welcome Email, Educational Email).
Add/Remove Tags or Segments: Manipulate audience groups.
Delays/Wait Steps:
Insert a “Wait” action (for example, “2 days”) before the next email is sent.
Conditional Branches:
Use conditionals based on email behavior:
If a contact opens an email, assign one set of actions.
If not, trigger a follow-up sequence.

Example of setting a delay and branching:

[Contact in "New Subscribers"]
    │
    ▼
[SEND "Welcome Email"]
    │
    ▼
[WAIT: 48 hours]
    │
    ▼
[CONDITION: Email Opened?]
   ┌─────────────Yes─────────────┐
   │           SEND "More Info"  │
   └─────────────────────────────┘
           │
           ▼
         Else
           │
           ▼
      [SEND "Reminder Email"]

In Mautic:

Drag an action box called “Wait” into the canvas; set it to 48 hours.
Then add a “Decision” block and define conditions such as “if contact email ‘opened’ equals ‘true’.”
Connect each branch to the proper “Send Email” action with your desired templates.

C. Testing and Previewing the Campaign

Before going live:

Use Test Contacts: Create dummy contacts and assign them to your source segment.
Step Through the Flow: Review the journey by clicking each connected node in the builder.
Adjust Timings/Conditions: Tweak delays or conditional logic as needed based on test feedback.

5. Enhancing the User Experience with Analytics & Tracking

It’s essential to monitor your campaigns and refine them based on user behavior.

5.1. Setting Up Mautic Tracking Code

Integrate the tracking code on every page of your website. This small snippet collects page views, clicks, and other interactions:

<!-- Mautic Tracking Code: Place before </body> -->
<script>
  (function(w,d,t,u,n,js,s){
    w['MauticTrackingObject']=n;
    w[n]=w[n]||function(){
      (w[n].q=w[n].q||[]).push(arguments)
    };
    js = d.createElement(t),
    s = d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0];
    js.async=1;
    js.src=u;
    s.parentNode.insertBefore(js,s);
  })(window,document,'script','https://yourmauticdomain.com/mtc.js','mt');

  mt('send', 'pageview');
</script>

Replace the URL with your actual Mautic domain. This allows you to build behavior-based segments (such as contacts visiting specific pages) which, in turn, can trigger email sequences.

5.2. Custom Dashboards & Reporting

Customize Widgets:
In Mautic, add dashboard widgets that display open rates, click-through rates, and conversion data.
Export Reports:
Generate and export PDF or CSV reports to analyze campaign performance over time.
A/B Testing:
Set up A/B tests within your campaigns. For example, test different subject lines or email layouts to determine which one yields higher engagement.

6. Launching, Monitoring, and Optimizing Your Campaign

The campaign isn’t finished once it’s built—it must evolve as you gather insights from real user behavior.

6.1. Soft Launch

Pilot Run:
Start with a smaller segment of your list to ensure everything is working as expected.
Monitor Logs:
Check Mautic’s logs (app/logs/mautic_prod-*.log) to capture errors or unexpected behavior.
Collect User Feedback:
Use surveys or direct feedback to gauge how recipients feel about email frequency, content, and overall experience.

6.2. Ongoing Optimization

Iterate Based on Analytics:
Adjust delays or update email content based on open rates, conversions, and bounce rates.
Refine Segmentation:
Fine-tune your segments based on new user behavior data—this might mean reclassifying “inactive” contacts or creating niches based on click behavior.
Stay Updated and Evolve:
Regularly update Mautic (and its plugins) to benefit from bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.

Final Thoughts and Additional Resources

This detailed guide has taken you from installing Mautic on your server to building and refining an entire automated email marketing campaign. Although Mautic may require more hands-on configuration than some hosted platforms like Aweber, its power and flexibility mean you can create complex, behavior-driven campaigns tailored perfectly to your audience.

Additional Resources:

Mautic Documentation: Dive deeper into every configuration option and explore advanced topics.
Mautic Community Forums: Engage with thousands of users who share templates, plugins, and best practices.
YouTube Channels and Webinars: Look for visual step-by-step tutorials to see live demos of the setup and campaign flow.

As your system matures, you might consider:

Integrating Mautic with a CRM (like Salesforce or HubSpot) for a more integrated sales and marketing system.
Developing custom plugins to automate repetitive tasks.
Experimenting with advanced personalization features using custom tokens and dynamic content.

Would you like further details on any specific integration, advanced segmentation, or troubleshooting common issues as you build out your campaign?

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Automating Email Marketing with Mautic