Zapier

What is Zapier

Zapier is an online automation tool that connects your favorite apps, such as Gmail, Slack, Mailchimp, and over 8,000 more. Its core purpose is to automate repetitive tasks without needing to write any code. You create workflows, called "Zaps," which consist of a trigger and one or more actions. When the trigger event happens in one app, Zapier automatically performs the action in another app. For example, you can create a Zap to automatically save new Gmail attachments to Dropbox. Founded in 2011 by Wade Foster, Bryan Helmig, and Mike Knoop, Zapier operates as a fully remote company. It has become a leading platform for no-code automation, helping millions of businesses and individuals save time and improve productivity by connecting their software tools and building AI-powered workflows.

Zapier Features

Zapier offers a wide range of features to build simple and complex automations.

• Vast App Integrations: Connect with over 8,000 web applications, making it one of the most connected platforms available. This allows you to automate almost any digital task across your software stack.
• Zaps: These are the automated workflows you create. A Zap starts with a Trigger (an event that starts the workflow) and performs one or more Actions (tasks that get done automatically).
• Multi-Step Zaps: Go beyond simple one-to-one automations. Create complex workflows with multiple actions, allowing you to update several apps from a single trigger.
• AI Tools: Build and deploy AI-powered workflows, agents, and chatbots. You can integrate AI models like OpenAI into your Zaps to summarize text, draft emails, or analyze data automatically.
• Paths: Add conditional logic to your Zaps. This feature lets you create workflows that perform different actions based on specific conditions, making your automations smarter.
• Filters: Set up rules to ensure your Zaps only run when certain conditions are met. For example, only run a Zap if an email contains the word "invoice."
• Zapier Tables: A simple database feature that allows you to store, manage, and reference data within your workflows. It acts as a central hub for information your Zaps use.
• Zapier Interfaces: Create simple, interactive web pages and forms that can trigger your automations. This is useful for building internal tools or lead capture forms.
• Enterprise Security: For larger teams, Zapier provides features like role-based access controls, single sign-on (SSO), and detailed audit logs to ensure automation is done securely.

Zapier Pricing Plans

Zapier offers several pricing tiers designed for different levels of usage.

• Free Plan: Aimed at individuals starting with automation. It includes a limited number of Zaps and tasks per month and only allows for single-step workflows.
• Starter Plan: Designed for individuals and professionals who need multi-step Zaps and access to more features. It offers a higher task limit and connects to premium apps.
• Professional Plan: For power users and small teams who need advanced features like unlimited Zaps, faster update times, and conditional logic with Paths.
• Team Plan: Built for growing teams that need to collaborate on automations. It includes unlimited users, shared app connections, and a shared workspace.
• Company Plan: The top-tier plan for large organizations and enterprises. It provides advanced security features, robust admin controls, dedicated support, and the highest task limits.

Zapier Free Plan

Yes, Zapier offers a Free Plan. This plan is a good way to learn the basics of automation. It includes:

• A limited number of single-step Zaps.
• A monthly limit on the number of tasks that can be automated.
• A 15-minute update time, meaning the Zaps check for new trigger data every 15 minutes.

While the Free Plan is limited to Zaps with only one trigger and one action, it is very useful for simple, low-volume tasks. For more complex workflows or higher usage, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. Zapier also offers a free trial of its premium features.

How to use Zapier

Getting started with Zapier is straightforward. Here is a typical workflow to create your first Zap:

1. Sign Up: Create a free Zapier account.
2. Create a Zap: From your dashboard, click the "Create Zap" button.
3. Set Up the Trigger: Choose the app you want to start the automation. For example, select Google Forms. Then, choose the trigger event, like New Form Response. Connect your Google account and select the form you want to monitor.
4. Set Up the Action: Choose the app where you want the action to happen. For example, select Slack. Then, choose the action event, like Send Channel Message.
5. Map the Data: Connect your Slack account. Then, customize the message by pulling data from the Google Form response. For example, you can map the "Name" field from the form into your Slack message text.
6. Test Your Zap: Zapier will run a test to make sure the trigger and action work correctly.
7. Publish Your Zap: Once the test is successful, click "Publish" to turn your Zap on. Now, every time someone submits your Google Form, a message will be automatically sent to your Slack channel.

Pros and Cons of Zapier

Pros

• Massive Number of Integrations: With over 8,000 apps, you can connect almost any tool you use.
• Easy to Use: The user interface is intuitive, making it possible for non-technical users to build powerful automations.
• Flexible and Powerful: Features like multi-step Zaps, Paths, and Filters allow for the creation of very complex and customized workflows.
• Reliable Platform: Zapier is a stable and trusted platform used by millions for mission-critical business processes.
• Excellent AI Features: The ability to integrate AI and build custom agents directly into workflows is a significant advantage.

Cons

• Can Be Expensive: The cost can increase quickly as your task usage grows, especially for small businesses.
• Limited Free Plan: The free plan is very restrictive, with single-step Zaps and slow update times.
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While the basics are easy, mastering advanced features like Paths or webhooks can be challenging for beginners.
• Task-Based Pricing: Some automations can consume tasks very quickly, leading to unexpected costs if not monitored carefully.

Zapier integrations

Zapier's main strength is its extensive library of over 8,000 integrations. You can connect almost any popular SaaS application. The integration process is handled directly within the Zap editor by authenticating your app accounts.

• Salesforce and Slack integration: Automatically send a message to a Slack channel whenever a new lead is created in Salesforce.
• Google Sheets and Gmail integration: Create a new row in Google Sheets for every email received in Gmail with a specific label.
• Mailchimp and Eventbrite integration: Add attendees from a new Eventbrite event to a Mailchimp mailing list.
• Trello and Google Calendar integration: Automatically create a Google Calendar event when a Trello card with a due date is created.
• Shopify and QuickBooks integration: Create a new sales receipt in QuickBooks Online for every new paid order in Shopify.

Zapier Alternatives

• Make (formerly Integromat): A powerful automation platform with a visual workflow builder. It can be more cost-effective for high-volume tasks but has a steeper learning curve than Zapier.
• IFTTT (If This Then That): A simpler automation tool that is very popular for smart home devices and personal productivity. It is less focused on business applications compared to Zapier.
• Microsoft Power Automate: A strong alternative for businesses heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem (Office 365, Dynamics 365, Azure). It offers deep integration with Microsoft products.
• Workato: An enterprise-grade automation platform designed for large organizations. It is extremely powerful and scalable but also more complex and expensive than Zapier.

Zapier API

Yes, Zapier provides a developer platform that allows any developer to add their app to Zapier's library of integrations. This is done through the Zapier Developer Platform. While there isn't a traditional API for users to manage their Zapier account, you can interact with Zaps programmatically using Webhooks by Zapier.

Webhooks are a feature available on paid plans that allow you to send data to your Zaps from any app that can send an HTTP request. To get started, you create a Zap with the "Webhooks by Zapier" app as the trigger. Zapier will provide a unique URL. You can then send a POST request to this URL with a JSON payload to trigger your workflow.

Here is an example of a cURL command to send data to a Zapier Webhook:

curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{
  "first_name": "John",
  "last_name": "Doe",
  "email": "john.doe@example.com"
}' https://hooks.zapier.com/hooks/catch/123456/abcdef/

This allows for immense flexibility, as any custom application or script can be integrated into your Zapier workflows.

Zapier Affiliate program

Zapier offers an affiliate program for partners who want to earn commissions by referring new customers. The program is designed for bloggers, content creators, and agencies who can promote Zapier to their audience.

• Commission Rate: Affiliates typically earn a recurring commission on the subscription payments made by the customers they refer. The standard rate is often a percentage of the sale for a specific duration, such as the first 12 months of the customer's subscription.
• How to Join: To join the program, you need to apply through their affiliate network partner, which is usually a platform like PartnerStack. The application process involves providing information about your website or promotional methods. Once approved, you will get access to a dashboard with your unique referral links, marketing materials, and performance analytics.
• Getting Paid: Commissions are tracked through your affiliate link. Payments are typically made on a monthly basis through the affiliate network platform, often via PayPal or direct bank transfer, once you reach a minimum payout threshold.