Book Image

Automate It with Zapier

By : Kelly Goss
Book Image

Automate It with Zapier

By: Kelly Goss

Overview of this book

Zapier is an emerging no-code workflow automation technology that enables organizations to connect their cloud-based and web applications and automate data transfer between them. Zapier's built-in features and flexibility allow users to integrate thousands of business applications and create simple to complex automation to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, thereby increasing productivity. This book is a must-have for business owners, their employees, and independent freelancers and contractors looking to use Zapier for business process automation. The book takes a hands-on approach to implementation and associated problem-solving methodologies that will have you up-and-running and productive in no time while leveling up your automation skills. You'll discover how to plan your automation building for optimal results, what are the native features available in Zapier, and the applications that connect with it, as well as how to optimally configure your workflows to automate your processes in as few steps as possible. Finally, you'll find out how to create advanced workflow automation from scratch and learn how to troubleshoot issues. By the end of this Zapier book, you'll be able to build your own advanced workflow automation using Zapier, addressing the key pain points encountered in businesses with manual and repetitive tasks.
Table of Contents (29 chapters)
1
Section 1: Getting Started with Zapier
7
Section 2: Customizing Your Zaps with Built-in Apps by Zapier – Functionality and Practical Uses
15
Section 3: Using the Features of the Formatter by Zapier Built-In App
21
Section 4: Getting the Most Out of Zapier – Business Automation Examples

Creating a Zapier account

For you to get started with Zapier, the first thing you will need to do is create a Zapier account.

Important note

The Zapier team are very proactive with trying to create the best experience for the user and often test different User Interface (UI) changes on user groups. UI updates, new features, and changes to navigation are released regularly, so don't be surprised if as you work through this book, the screenshots we have used differ slightly from the current, live state.

Work through the following steps to create your new Zapier account:

  1. Open your web browser and navigate to the Zapier website home page: https://zapier.com/.
  2. Create a Zapier account by entering your business email address and your first and last name, and then click on Get Started Free, as shown in the following screenshot. Alternatively, you can sign up using your Google or Facebook credentials:
    Figure 1.2 – The sign-up area on the Zapier home page

    Figure 1.2 – The sign-up area on the Zapier home page

  3. Add a password and click on Sign Up, as shown in the following screenshot:
    Figure 1.3 – Filling in details on Zapier's home page sign-up area

    Figure 1.3 – Filling in details on Zapier's home page sign-up area

  4. Complete the first step in the onboarding process by identifying your role and clicking Continue, as shown in the following screenshot:
    Figure 1.4 – The first step of the Zapier sign-up onboarding process

    Figure 1.4 – The first step of the Zapier sign-up onboarding process

  5. Complete the second step in the onboarding process by selecting the apps that you use in your business, then choose whether you want to receive marketing emails from Zapier and click Finish Setup, as shown in the following screenshot:
Figure 1.5 – The second step of the Zapier sign-up onboarding process

Figure 1.5 – The second step of the Zapier sign-up onboarding process

Important note

By completing this two-step onboarding process accurately, Zapier will be able to customize your user experience and provide you with tailored workflow suggestions. These recommendations will give you ideas of what types of tasks you can automate using your business apps as examples. You can choose to fill this information in as appropriate or skip these steps.

Now that you have set up your Zapier account, you're one step closer to building your first workflow automation. In the next section, we cover navigation on the Zapier platform.