Anyone who works in digital marketing is constantly juggling various online tools. How do you find a tool that brings together all the tasks you need to perform directly in one app? Believe it or not, this is now possible thanks to automation tools like Zapier.
Zapier links different productivity apps and services together to create a smarter workflow and save you a lot of time in your daily business tasks. But that still doesn't give you a clear answer to this question: What is Zapier and how exactly does it work?
we'll tell you all about it in this post!
what is Zapier?
Zapier is an online tool that allows you to link different web applications, transfer data and automate processes by automatically linking and synchronising the actions of most of the applications and software you use in your company, so that recurring processes can be executed automatically.
Let's look at an example of a use case:
- If you have a blog hosted on WordPress, you can create a sequence of actions (or zaps, as we will see later) so that every time you publish a new post, it is automatically shared on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or other social networks.
This example can be applied to a wide variety of applications because, as mentioned above, Zapier connects a large number of applications and services with each other. This connection is possible thanks to the so-called "Zaps", which are automated workflows between web applications that link two or more applications with each other.
The idea behind this automation tool is to help you create a smarter and more personalised workflow. This way, you can save time and focus on the important parts of your work. And since everyone has different apps or services that they use throughout their working day, Zapier offers integration with a wide variety of apps.
how does Zapier work?
Zapier's web interface is used to create commands called zaps. Each zap is made up of two main parts: a trigger and an action.
The trigger is the event that sets the zap in motion; in programming jargon, it can be thought of as the "if this happens..." part of the operation. Zapier works with over 2,000 applications and services, so there are countless triggers on which you can base a zap.
The action is the event that completes the zap. It's the "then do this" part of the command and automation that simplifies your task or workflow. For example, a zap can be written to create an event in Google Calendar based on each new Trello card added to your dashboard, or a zap can create a to-do list in an app like Todoist based on emails you highlight or check off in Gmail.
When a zap runs, it processes a piece of data - each time that happens, it counts as a task.
do I need to know programming to use Zapier?
Zapier does not represent a traditional programming environment and you don't need to have programming skills to use the tool. It's more like a simplified macro editor, where all you have to do is specify the trigger and action and fill in the details of exactly how the zap should work.
Zaps are not difficult to create and can mostly be done by selecting options from drop-down menus, but Zapier gives you the ability to customise zaps extensively, as well as create multi-step zaps (if you pay for one of the premium subscription levels).
Benefits of using Zapier in your organisation
If you still doubt the capabilities of this tool, here are some of the most important advantages you should consider:
- It streamlines team collaboration. It enables faster and more agile communication between work teams, as it offers the option to automatically and instantly share relevant information from the app where it originates to platforms such as Slack or HubSpot.
- It is secure: This application complies with the highest security standards in data handling and in its "transport" between applications.
- It is adaptable: Zaps can be as generic or specific as you wish, depending on your needs. This solution adapts to all levels of automation required by a user, from the simplest to the most complex.
- Itis especially useful because it helps cultivate and nurture the relationship with prospects and customers throughout theentire sales funnel.
- Integrates with a few clicks - Zapier gives you the ability to combine over 4,000 apps with each other in a few simple steps, ranging from Gmail, HubSpot, Google Ads, Facebook, MailChimp and many more that you probably use on a daily basis.
- It saves time. Integrating different apps into a single app not only automates your business tasks, but also saves you time and allows you to focus on other tasks that may be more complex and important to your organisation. In a way you optimise the use of your time.
how much does Zapier cost?
Zapier has several pricing plans, ranging from a free version to large enterprise deployments:
- Free: You can use the free plan to explore Zapier and use it if your needs are more modest. You can use up to five single-pass zaps that perform no more than 100 tasks per month. You cannot use any "premium" apps or services.
- Starter: $19.99/month. The Starter plan limits you to 20 zaps and no more than 750 tasks per month. You can create multi-step zaps and use up to three premium apps. (You can upgrade to 1,500 tasks per month for $39).
- Professional: $49/month. With this plan you can deploy unlimited zaps. This payment level gives you 2,000 tasks per month, but you can upgrade through four payment levels up to 20,000 tasks per month for $189.
- Team: $299/month - This level offers unlimited Zaps and 50,000 tasks per month. (There are multiple levels up to 2,000,000 tasks for $3,499/month.) It includes several additional features, such as shared workspaces for team collaboration.
- Enterprise: $599/month - the highest tier starts at $599/month for 100,000 tasks, but scales up to $3,599 for 2,000,000 tasks. Includes advanced administrative features for businesses, such as single sign-on and account consolidation, as well as live training services.
why should I use Zapier? Cut costs and relieve your employees
In our daily working lives there are numerous repetitive processes, most of which are costly and time-consuming, although they are often not directly related to our own work. However, they are of vital importance for the success of the company.
These processes are present in almost every company, large or small: accounting, marketing, customer service and product manufacturing are recurring processes in everyday work. Zapier was developed to automate all these redundant but important steps and thus reduce the workload and save time and money.
Combine it with other tools such as HubSpot and you will revolutionise the way you run your business.
