Open URL

The open URL task action allows you to direct participants to open an external URL to complete a task.


Onthen allows you to create onboarding 'plans' that you can send to customers, partners, prospects, or anyone else (we call them 'participants'). Each plan has a set of tasks that a participant needs to complete.

The Open URL task action guides the participant to open an external URL. This is useful for asking them to complete actions in others apps, or just asking them to read information accessible at a URL.

How it works

This task action is provided by Onthen and doesn't require any outside service. All you need to do is provide the URL that should be linked to the task.

When the participant begins the task, they'll see a button that they can click to open the URL. Only after they click the button can they return to the task and mark it as completed.

Popular use cases:

  • Linking to user management pages in apps to ask the participant to give you access.
  • Opening booking links for scheduling services other than those we support directly (Calendly and HubSpot Scheduler).
  • Asking the participant to review information such as terms of use or disclaimers.
  • Asking participants to review information in pretty much any other app.
  • Many more use cases. If you can link to it, you can get it done with this task action.

Add the task action

In Onthen, open the template you want to add an open URL step into.

In the section you want to add the task, click Add task. Select Onthen / Open URL as the task type. Add a description, due date, etc. if you need. Click Add task to create the new task.

Tip: It's best to add a good description to this task type as otherwise the participant won't know what you expect them to do when they click the link!

When the task is saved, click on its name to configure it. You'll see a page like this:

Just provide the URL you want to use and then click Save task when you're happy.

Using the task action

You can test the action by creating a new plan.

The quickest way to test this task action is to go to the list of plans after you've created the new plan, and click its name to open it as the user.

Once you're in the plan and click into the new task, you'll see the task page guiding you to open the link:

Once the link has been clicked, the Complete task button will be enabled and you will then be able to complete the task.

How to use open url in onboarding

Create an onboarding checklist

Onthen lets any team create clear and simple onboarding to-do lists. It's the single source of truth for every kickoff.

Either let us generate a checklist or browse our templates.

Add a open url task

When you have a checklist template, click Add task, choose the Open URL task action, and you're done.

Runs your onboarding for you

Invite people to your template and we'll guide them through the open url task and all other tasks until their onboarding is complete.

We'll handle all the chasing up for you too, sending branded email reminders when tasks become overdue.

Packed with useful features

Powerful, modern dashboard

There's flexible tools to manage your checklists. Save views for frequent access. Customize columns, sort order, and filtering. Use bulk actions to update many rows at once.


Syncs with HubSpot

We bridge the gap by syncing every onboarding action back to your CRM timeline and custom fields. Works with contacts, deals, and tickets.

  • Manage checklists with the App Card
  • Adds events to your timeline
  • Syncs uploaded files and photos

Your brand, everywhere

Every Onthen task page is fully branded so that it becomes a part of your business.

But we also brand the emails we send too, so every interaction with your task page makes the right first impression.

Create an onboarding with open url

We'll do the hard work for you Takes less than a minute