Zapier is a workflow automation tool that allows you to connect your favorite apps and platforms without coding experience. With all of these connected, your workflows will be streamlined, your employees will be happier, your profits will increase, and much more. If you’re wondering “what is Zapier and is it right for my team” then read our blog post to learn more. We’ll break down how it works, how to get started, and if you should be using it with your team.
If you’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest technology to make your business efficient, then the name Zapier has likely been on your radar. But what is Zapier and why is there so much hype (and funding) behind it? Should you be using it in your company? We’re here to help you answer these pressing questions.
First things first: what is Zapier? In its most boiled-down definition, Zapier is an automation tool. Zapier allows you to connect two or more apps to automatically complete tedious tasks that would normally have to be done manually. This sounds simple and maybe if you’ve never used automation, maybe a bit superfluous. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Automation, like the type Zapier enables, is one of the most impactful, game-changing technologies in the modern business world.
Think of the possibilities when you automate multiple time-consuming tasks. When properly utilized, Zapier integrations can shave hours of work off you and your employees’ plates. Let’s delve a little deeper into how this all works.
Zapier integrations are set up to be simple enough for anyone to use, but complex enough for users to get more out of it if they take the time to dig into the platform (or hire someone to do it for them.) Essentially, Zapier allows Zapier users to set up Zaps, their term for the automated workflow. Each Zap has a trigger that initiates a corresponding action or actions.
Here’s a simple example:
Trigger - A new lead is captured in Facebook Lead Ads
Action - A notification with the lead’s information is sent in Slack to the sales channel
This is just one action of a common Zap. Zapier currently is able to connect over 3,000 apps in thousands of ways. The automation possibilities are vast. If you’re interested in the possibilities of Zapier, you might be wondering what you need to do to get started.
Getting started with Zapier is pretty simple. All you need to do is visit their site and input some information to start an account. Luckily, Zapier has a free version that lets you get your feet wet and see if Zapier is a good fit for your team.
Once you’ve created your free account, you’ll be able to access your Zapier dashboard. From here, you can start creating your Zaps. From the dashboard, you’ll also be able to see your apps that you’ve connected, your favorite apps, your current Zaps, your preferences and settings, your task history, and more.
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the dashboard, you’re ready to make your first Zap.
Making your first Zap is easy. Here are the steps you need to follow to quickly and easily set up your very first Zap:
Once your new Zap is created you can test it to make sure it works. Then you simply turn it on and it will complete the automation anytime the trigger condition is met. The Zap we just outlined would be considered a single-step Zap and is possible with the free plan. However, Facebook Lead Ads is considered a premium-version app. So there are nuances like this to keep in mind.
Also, keep in mind that if you want multi-step Zaps, you’ll need to upgrade to one of their priced tiers. A multi-step Zap is able to automate multiple actions and connect more than two apps. In the example we just outlined, you could add an action where the lead is added to a Google Sheet when the lead is captured, along with the Slack notification that is sent to the sales channel.
Here’s a video that provides another example and brief walkthrough:
Zapier has multiple pricing options based on your needs and the size of your business. Starting with the free version is always a good idea, so you can get a feel for the platform and see if it’s something you’re interested in utilizing. If you’re impressed with the free version, you can also give the premium version a try with a 14-day free trial.
Below, we’ve created a brief breakdown of the different pricing tiers. We’ll give you a better idea of what kind of tier might fit your needs.
Zapier’s free version is free forever. No hidden fees. You can use the free version as long as you see fit. With that being said, the free version is pretty limited. It’s best for companies who just want to test it out and find out how useful Zapier can be. It might be enough for an individual who doesn’t have too many administrative tasks to automate. Here’s what you can get with a free Zapier account:
The Starter version is great for individuals or very small teams. With the Starter version, you can get a little bit more of an idea of how much work Zapier can handle for you. The Starter version also gives you more options for customization, such as filters and formatters. The Starter version costs $19.99 per month, billed annually, or $29.99 month-to-month. The Starter version gives you:
The Professional version is good if you’re needing to scale up from the Starter version. For many small teams, the Professional version may be enough to handle their automation needs. The additional features also allow for even more in-depth customization. It’s $49 per month, billed annually, or $73.50 month-to-month. With the Professional version, you get:
If you’ve got a large team, you’ll likely want to scale up to the Team level. The unlimited users feature alone is worth it if you have multiple team members needing to create and utilize the Zapier platform. It’s $299 per month, billed annually, or $448.50 month-to-month. With the Team version, you get:
Finally, if you’ve got a larger business with multiple teams and departments all using Zapier integrations, you should go for the Company tier. The Company tier is $599 per month, billed annually, or $898.50 month-to-month. Zapier also allows you to upgrade the Company tier with even more automated tasks if you’re needing to scale up. The added features are robust and incredibly useful for company-wide applications. At the Company level, you’ll get:
Ultimately, the decision of which Zapier tier you use is up to you. However, the above guidelines can give you a rough idea as to which one of these tiers would fit your team best. If you’re needing some advice on what tier might work best for your company, feel free to shoot us some questions down in the comment section.
With all of this in mind, the next question you might be asking yourself is, “is Zapier right for my team?” Of course, your results may vary, but Zapier is packed to the brim with app integrations, including everything from social media platforms like Twitter to CRM platforms like Salesforce, that almost every industry uses. Chances are, your business can benefit from Zapier the same way that thousands of other businesses do.
The truth is, it’s so easy to at least try Zapier, that anyone who does their work digitally should give it a go. You’ll be able to find out if it’s something that’s useful for your team or not. Zapier integrations can be as simple, or as complex, as you need it to be. A huge plus of Zapier is that it’s so widely used, that it’s easy to find resources that can help inspire you with Zaps to create and grow your business.
Check out this video for even more ideas for Zapier workflows:
Not only are there resources for Zapier Zap inspiration, but service providers have stepped in to help businesses set up Zapier integrations and automation throughout their entire company. In short, Zapier is worth a try, and if you’re needing help taking it to the next level, help is readily available.
Section 3: Conclusion
As you can see, Zapier is a powerful automation tool that can handle simple tasks and multifaceted tasks automatically. Zapier’s level of customization allows you to automate all of, or just parts of, your most time-consuming workflows.
Many industries are already embracing automation and the number of businesses that utilize Zapier is only growing. If you’re unsure if Zapier is right for your business, or if you just have questions about Zapier and automation in general, feel free to shoot us a comment below.
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