What is Velocity Script?
Velocity script is a language built on Java that’s designed for templating and scripting HTML content. It allows high-level control flow with if/else commands. You can use it as a standalone utility for generating source code or it can be integrated with other systems. I’ve mostly used velocity script within Marketo (marketing automation software) to help control the personalization of emails and landing pages.
Why Use Velocity Script?
One of the best features of velocity script, in my opinion, is using it to create personalization. It keeps your communication with leads relevant and timely. You can use it to populate certain content or deals on your website or use it to help populate greetings, images, and content in your email communications. There are so many ways that you can utilize this amazing script. The only limit is your creativity!
Let’s look at Amazon for example… Imagine you need a new laptop and you have been surfing their website for the best deal. A few weeks pass, and Amazon is running a Deal of the Day on a variety of laptops. Amazon uses velocity script here to target leads (like you) who has been searching for these specific laptops and send just them an email or alert. This helps create automation, keeps content relevant, and erases the need to send an email to everybody, everyday. How awesome is that?!
Simple Examples of Velocity Script
1 – Display Mr/Mrs with last name:
2 – Display of Company Name:
3 – Display of Company Phone:
Solomon Solution will continue doing a more in-depth post on how to write Velocity Script soon, so be on the lookout! In the meantime, read a prior Solomon TechTip post: Using Velocity Scripting for Content Customization.
To learn more, you can also check out Marketo’s documentation on email scripting, Apache’s Velocity Scripting Docs, or you can contact us to create your own personalized velocity scripts.
