N8N is our go-to tool for business automation. It's like Zapier, but open-source, self-hostable, and far more powerful. Here's how we use it to automate business processes.
What is N8N?
N8N (pronounced "n-eight-n") is a workflow automation platform that:
- Connects 400+ apps and services
- Uses a visual drag-and-drop builder
- Can be self-hosted (you own your data)
- Supports custom code when needed
- Has a generous free tier
N8N vs Zapier vs Make
| Feature | N8N | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Hosting | Yes | No | No |
| Pricing | Free (self-hosted) | $$$$ | $$ |
| Custom Code | Full JS/Python | Limited | Limited |
| Complexity | Higher | Easiest | Medium |
| Integrations | 400+ | 5000+ | 1000+ |
Real Automation Examples
1. Lead Capture to CRM
Trigger: New form submission (Typeform, Google Forms)
Actions:
- Create contact in HubSpot/Pipedrive
- Send welcome email via SendGrid
- Notify sales team in Slack
- Add to Google Sheet for tracking
2. Invoice Processing
Trigger: Email with invoice attachment
Actions:
- Extract data using AI (OpenAI)
- Create entry in accounting software
- Upload to Google Drive
- Send for approval via Slack
3. Content Publishing Pipeline
Trigger: New blog post published
Actions:
- Generate social media posts (AI)
- Schedule posts to Twitter, LinkedIn
- Send to email newsletter
- Ping sitemap to Google
4. Customer Onboarding
Trigger: New customer in Stripe
Actions:
- Create account in your app
- Send welcome email sequence
- Add to customer success tool
- Schedule onboarding call
5. Support Ticket Routing
Trigger: New support ticket
Actions:
- Classify using AI
- Route to appropriate team
- Send auto-response if common question
- Alert if high-priority customer
Getting Started with N8N
Option 1: N8N Cloud
- Quickest way to start
- Free tier: 5 workflows, 500 executions/month
- No technical setup required
Option 2: Self-Host
- Full control over data
- Unlimited workflows and executions
- Requires server management
- We recommend: Docker on a small VPS
Best Practices
Workflow Design
- Start simple, add complexity gradually
- Use clear naming conventions
- Add error handling and notifications
- Test thoroughly before going live
Data Handling
- Never hardcode credentials
- Use environment variables
- Be mindful of rate limits
- Log important events
Maintenance
- Monitor execution logs
- Set up failure alerts
- Review and optimize monthly
- Document your workflows
When NOT to Use N8N
- Real-time, sub-second requirements
- Very high volume (millions/day)
- Complex business logic (use proper backend)
- When a native integration exists
Our Automation Services
We help businesses design, build, and maintain N8N automations:
- Audit: Identify automation opportunities
- Setup: Self-hosted N8N deployment
- Build: Custom workflow development
- Support: Ongoing maintenance and optimization
Ready to automate your business? Let's identify your best automation opportunities.