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Custom Attributes: Collect and Use Third-Party Data
Custom Attributes: Collect and Use Third-Party Data

Custom attributes allow you to collect additional information about your subscribers beyond standard data like email and phone numbers. This guide explains how to create and use custom attributes to enhance your targeting capabilities

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Written by Anand
Updated this week

Creating Custom Attributes

From the Opt-ins Page

  1. Navigate to the Forms section of Opt-ins

  2. Click the "Create Attribute" button

  3. Enter a unique name for your attribute (e.g., "GENDER")

  4. Select the attribute type:

    • Category: For predefined options (e.g., gender, size)

    • Text: For free-form text input

    • Number: For numerical values

    • Date: For calendar dates

  5. For category type, enter your predefined options

  6. Click "Create" to save your attribute

From the Subscribers Page

  1. Go to the Subscribers section

  2. Click "Create Attribute"

  3. Follow the same steps as above


Adding Attributes to Forms

  1. In your form editor, click "Add Attribute"

  2. Select your created attribute from the dropdown

  3. Customize the display options:

    • For Category type: Choose between dropdown or radio buttons

    • For Radio buttons: Select vertical or horizontal orientation

  4. Adjust styling options in the right sidebar


Publishing Your Form

Once you've set up your custom attributes and configured your opt-in form:

  1. Review all form elements and attributes

  2. Ensure attribute display options are configured as desired

  3. Click the "Publish" button in the top right corner

  4. Your form is now live and will begin collecting third-party data

Note: You can pause data collection at any time by unpublishing the form.


Viewing Custom Attribute Data

  1. Navigate to the Contacts page

  2. Click "Customize Columns"

  3. Click "Select Attribute"

  4. Search for your attribute name

  5. The selected attribute will appear as a new column


Using Custom Attributes for Targeting

Custom attributes enable sophisticated segmentation for targeted marketing. Here's a practical example using gender-based targeting:


Creating Gender-Specific Lists

  1. Navigate to Brevo

  2. Create two lists:

    • "Women's Collection Subscribers"

    • "Men's Collection Subscribers"

  3. Set filter conditions based on the GENDER attribute

  4. Save your lists

Example Marketing Scenarios

Seasonal Collections:

  • Send women's summer collection previews to female subscribers

  • Target male subscribers with men's winter wear promotions

Size-Based Targeting:

  • Notify subscribers when their size is back in stock

  • Send exclusive offers for specific size ranges

Important Notes

  • Attribute names must be unique

  • Attributes sync automatically with Brevo

  • Data is accessible in both PushOwl and Brevo

  • Changes to attribute configuration don't affect existing data

  • Custom attributes can be used across multiple forms

Best Practices

  1. Plan Your Attributes:

    • Consider what information will be most valuable

    • Think about how you'll use the data before collecting it

  2. Keep Forms Concise:

    • Don't ask for too many attributes at once

    • Prioritize must-have information

  3. Use Clear Labels:

    • Make attribute names descriptive

    • Use consistent naming conventions

  4. Regular Data Review:

    • Monitor attribute completion rates

    • Analyze which attributes drive engagement


Common Questions

Q: Can I modify attribute options after creation?

A: You can add new options, but existing options cannot be modified to maintain data integrity.

Q: Will existing subscribers see forms with new attributes? A: Yes, but you may want to create segments to target only subscribers missing specific attributes.

Q: How many custom attributes can I create?

A: While there's no strict limit, we recommend keeping attributes focused and relevant to your marketing needs. Custom attributes provide powerful capabilities for understanding and segmenting your audience. By collecting relevant third-party data, you can create more personalized and effective marketing campaigns that resonate with specific customer segments.

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