Alert templates
The Templates tab on the Alerts page adds a ready-made set of alert rules for a type of site, a goal or a module in one step.
The Templates tab on the Alerts page holds ready-made sets of alert rules. A template adds many rules in one step, with limits that suit a type of site, a goal or a module.
Before you start
- To open the tab, select a domain, click Alerts in the Domain group of the sidebar, then click Templates.
- Only workspace owners and admins see the Templates tab. Members see only the Alerts tab.
- A rule from a template can only work when its module is set up. The template shows which modules you must set up first.
How the template catalog is organized
The Templates tab shows one card for each template, in four sections:
| Section | What the templates are for |
|---|---|
| Start here | The one template that every site needs. |
| By type of site | A type of site, for example a shop, a web app or a blog. |
| By goal | One goal, for example speed, search traffic or a launch. |
| By module | The most useful rules of one module. |
The rules of each template follow the order of the sidebar.
Examples of templates
- Start here: Essentials – know when the site breaks. It tells you when the site is down, when a certificate or domain expires, and when search engines cannot enter.
- By type of site: Online shop – protect your sales, News and blog – keep readers coming, Agency client – only critical alerts.
- By goal: Traffic drop – find the cause early, Speed – keep Core Web Vitals good, Launch or migration week – tight limits.
- By module: Site Health – serious issues only, Sitemaps – keep them complete and clean, Renewals – early notice for certificates and domains.
The Essentials template adds rules such as Site is down, SSL certificate expires in 14 days, Search engines cannot enter the site and A sitemap does not load.
Template cards
Each card shows the name of the template and one line about what it does. Under it, icons show the modules that the rules cover. Hover an icon to see the module name.
The chips on the card tell you the state of the template:
| Chip | Meaning |
|---|---|
| N alerts | The number of rules in the template. |
| N new | The number of rules that the domain does not have yet. |
| N need a set-up | The number of rules whose module is not set up yet. |
| All added | The domain has every rule of the template. |
Templates that are already added
When the domain has every rule of a template, the template leaves the tab. If the domain has every rule of every template, the tab shows "You've added every template."
Template panel
Click a card to open its panel. The panel shows the name of the template and the type of site or goal that it is for. It has these parts:
- Delivery: where the new alerts go. In-app notification is always on. Email notification is on by default. You can also select Slack channels and webhooks. See Alert delivery.
- N alerts: the list of rules in the template. Each rule shows its name and one sentence about what makes it fire.
- Who gets it: the Share with all members option. See Alerts.
Chips on the rules in the panel
| Chip | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Added | The domain already has this rule. VitalSentinel does not add it again. |
| Needs set-up or Needs <module> set-up | The module of this rule is not set up. VitalSentinel does not add this rule. |
If rules need a module, the panel shows a button for each module, for example Set up Google Search Console. Click it to set up the module, then open the template again.
Add a template
- Click the card of the template.
- Under Delivery, select the channels for the new alerts.
- Optional: under Who gets it, select Share with all members.
- Click Add N alerts.
The email choice applies to every new rule of the template. You can change each rule later on the Alerts tab.
Messages after you add a template
| Message | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Added N alerts." | VitalSentinel added the new rules. If some rules were there already, the message also says "N were there already." |
| "No alert added. Set up the missing module first." | Every new rule needs a module that is not set up. |
| "You have all these alerts already." | The domain has every rule of the template. |
If the template has no rule to add, the panel has no Add button. It shows "You have all these alerts already." or "Set up the missing module first. Then you can add these alerts."
After you add a template
The new rules show on the Alerts tab, in the card of their module. They work like rules that you create by hand. You can change the limit, the severity or the delivery of each rule, or delete it. See Alerts.
Some templates have tight limits for a short time. For example, the Launch or migration week template tells you to delete its alerts when the launch week ends.
Troubleshooting
Why can I not see the Templates tab?
Only workspace owners and admins see the Templates tab. If you are a member, ask an owner or admin to add the template.
Why did a template add fewer alerts than it lists?
The domain already had some of the rules, or some modules are not set up. Rules that show Added or Needs set-up are not added. Set up the missing module, then add the template again.
Why is a template missing from the Templates tab?
The domain already has every rule of that template. Find the rules on the Alerts tab.
Related
- Alerts - create, change and share alert rules
- Alert delivery - email, the bell, Slack and webhooks
- Overview - see which modules are set up
- Notifications - your inbox and email settings
Alerts
Create alert rules for a domain, choose the condition and severity, share a rule with the workspace, and read the state of each rule.
Alert delivery
Where VitalSentinel sends an alert, the in-app bell, email, Slack and webhooks, what each message contains, and what happens when a channel breaks.
