Using string field for preference center

Kim_Gandy1
Level 7

Using string field for preference center

We're looking update how we auto opt-in subscribers to fulfillment emails they're paying to receive. If a subscriber is new or renews, we want to auto opt-into the fulfillment newsletters UNLESS they've manually requested to opt-out via their preference center.

Currently all newsletters in our preference center are managed by boolean fields in a form, which do not allow for a NULL value.  I'm considering changing them to string fields that display a checkbox. The string  would allow "yes, no, null" values in the field. This would help in the trigger campaign opting in users, and leaving preferences as is if the value is "no".

Smart list

Trigger = subscription date updated

Flow

Change data value, if newsletter preference is "yes or null" to = "yes"

Any thoughts on using a string field vs boolean? Possible changes I should think thru? I've reviewed Josh Hill​'s Building a Full Subscription Center in Marketo - Marketing Rockstar Guides and multiple community threads, but didn't see anything on my question.

13 REPLIES 13
SanfordWhiteman
Level 10 - Community Moderator

Re: Using string field for preference center

I'd sooner use an integer field as an enumeration. Values can be -1 (null) 0 (false) 1 (true).

Kim_Gandy1
Level 7

Re: Using string field for preference center

So by default, all new leads would have to be changed to show -1 until subscribed? How would I backfill this value?

SanfordWhiteman
Level 10 - Community Moderator

Re: Using string field for preference center

Smart Campaign? Or you could switch it so -1 is false and 0 null. Just saying I tend to use enumerations instead of freeform strings, because it's faster, smaller, and has no possibility of typos.

Kim_Gandy1
Level 7

Re: Using string field for preference center

How do I store values -1, 0, 1 on the integer? The user is seeing it as a checkbox, but a number needs to be stored on the lead record.

Josh_Hill13
Level 10 - Champion Alumni

Re: Using string field for preference center

You'd need some jquery/script to display the value to the user on the page.

If someone is paying for this Email, wouldn't you rather setup something more like

Newsletter 1=Paid/Cancelled/Paid-Unsubscribed/Paid-Subscribed

and then display it to the user in a way that made sense - such that the understand that they are Paying and Subscribed or Paying and Not receiving?

Kim_Gandy1
Level 7

Re: Using string field for preference center

Hi Sanford Whiteman​, we're testing driving an integer field for the preference center and ran into a snag. In keeping with your number structure (-1=null, 0=no, 1=yes), the following user actions do not update in the preference center. Any idea how to make this action work?

Desired action: Data value change from -1 to 1

Test result: Data value changes from -1 to 0

Kim_Gandy1
Level 7

Re: Using string field for preference center

Additional details, we're using the integer field on a form as a checkbox and the issue occurred. When we used a dropdown, the values updated properly, but checkbox would be a better user experience.

Kim_Gandy1
Level 7

Re: Using string field for preference center

Hi Sanford Whiteman​, just following up. Any thoughts on the issues I ran into with integer field on form?

SanfordWhiteman
Level 10 - Community Moderator

Re: Using string field for preference center

I'll look at this later tonight and let you know.