How many business applications does your company use? Most businesses use dozens of web applications and software to manage daily operations. Solutions to manage finances, communication tools, project management apps and many other solutions are used daily to keep your business in business.
But what happens when your business processes require your software solutions to talk to each other? Are your critical applications segmented and siloed? For many organizations, this is the case—but there is a better way.
This article introduces you to an application called Zapier, a workflow automation tool that can enable streamlined communication between your applications.
TL;DR
- Zapier is an automation application that connects thousands of apps into workflows for your business.
- Within Zapier, the user creates a “Zap”, an automation from a trigger that waits for a defined set of new data to transfer between the applications.
- There are multiple methods to build a Zap automation workflow, including the AI-powered Zap builder, pre-built templates, and starting from scratch with a blank Zap.
What is Zapier?
Zapier is an automation application that connects thousands of apps into workflows for your business. It works with over numerous business tools, and “Zaps” connect the two applications you’d like to integrate. The Zapier Automation Platform allows for zero-coding automation across thousands of apps. It’s versatile, flexible, and easy to use—making it an ideal way to boost efficiency and automate repetitive tasks in your business.
The Benefits of Using an Automated Workflow
Reduce time spent on repetitive tasks
An automated workflow will cut your manual work in half or eliminate it entirely. Zapier connects your favorite apps so you can reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks and instead focus on the most important work. With access to over 8,000 apps in Zapier’s app directory, it’s easy to automate everything from payment processing to CRM updates. You can even set up automated data syncing between tools like Google Sheets, Asana, and email marketing platforms.
Connect Zapier to your favorite apps in just a few clicks
Zapier works with various software and supports unlimited users on its enterprise plan, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. For example, you can connect your Stax account to your CRM or Google Sheets in just a few clicks. Every time you create an invoice or process a payment, a trigger event will fire, prompting Zapier to automatically log the new customer data and send it to your CRM platform. This eliminates the need for manual entry and enhances data accuracy.
Automate your to-do list
Workflow automations can work wonders for your team’s to-do list by progressing projects to the next task. Instead of manually tracking what needs to happen next in any process, an automation can send the alert to the right person when the time is right.
Optimize lead management and deliver better customer service
Startups, small businesses and large enterprises actually have many similar challenges. One of which is making sure the data you collect gets to the right person or team. But data comes from many sources—think social media ads, sales-initiated leads, customer inquiries, and more. How this data is received, classified and then exported to the appropriate channel can be a bottleneck and common point of failure for many businesses. With workflow automations in Zapier, data is sent to the appropriate app (or apps), ensuring the right people take action.
Automate and customize order communications
Ensuring quality email communications are delivered to your customer post-sale is a critical part of the customer journey. With the right automations, you can easily communicate the order fulfillment and shipping status, flag orders in need of specialized attention, and create customized order follow up communications to drive repeat business.
Use automated workflows to keep your team on track
Automated workflows can do more than just eliminate busywork; they help your team stay organized and efficient. When a task is completed or a condition is met, a Zap can automatically notify the next team member to take action. This reduces the need for back-and-forth conversations and allows employees to focus on real work, not administrative overhead. Zapier’s AI tools and Zapier Canvas also help you visualize and build cross-functional workflows that support collaboration at scale.
How Zapier Integrations Work
The Zap is an automation created for your convenience. It’s built from a trigger that waits for a defined set of new data to transfer. When you add new data while working in your software, the Zap then takes the next “action step” to find the data and transfer it to the integrated software. A Zap is extremely versatile because it can be built to your exact specifications in order to create the best workflow.
For example, if you process a transaction in Stax and you want to add information from that transaction into a Google Spreadsheet, like customer name, email, and total amount paid, you would need to build a Zap to connect Stax and the Google Spreadsheet you want populated with the information. The Zap will then connect the two applications through an API and transfer the new transaction information every time it’s triggered in the future. Once you’ve built the Zap, you won’t need to build it again.
Creating a Zap in Stax
Anytime you want a specific action to take place between Stax and another application, you will use a Zap. You can build a Zapier integration right from the Stax platform to connect to another application. From the Settings tab in Stax, you can create a webhook tied to a particular event:
- Navigate to “Webhooks” and select an event
- Enter the target URL from Zapier and then save
- Go to Zapier, “Start a Zap” and select “Webhooks by Zapier”
- Choose your trigger
- Once you’ve tested the step, choose the action you want to associate with the trigger
- Choose your account and edit the template
- Test the step, name the Zap, and turn it on
Once your Zap is up and running, it will continue to run without needing any further action.
Zapier Integration Examples with Stax
We’ve already alluded to some of the ways that you can use Zapier with Stax, but here’s where the automation magic really happens. By connecting Stax to your most-used business tools, you can eliminate repetitive tasks and focus more on what matters: growing your business. Consider the following:
Create rows in a Google Sheet for new payments completed in Stax
Keep your payment records up to date without lifting a finger. This integration automatically logs every completed transaction from Stax into a designated Google Sheet, helping your team stay organized and your data consistent. Whether you’re tracking revenue, reconciling reports, or sharing payment insights with stakeholders, this workflow ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Send direct messages in Slack when new Stax payments are received
Instantly stay in the loop without refreshing your dashboard. This workflow automatically sends a Slack message whenever a payment hits your Stax account, giving your team real-time visibility into incoming revenue. It’s a simple way to improve communication and ensure key updates reach the right people the moment they happen.
Create updates in Monday.com for every new payment in Stax
Turn your financial activity into actionable items. With this integration, every new payment processed in Stax will trigger an update in Monday.com—whether that’s updating a project, marking off a milestone, or notifying a team member. You get better visibility across tools and fewer opportunities for tasks to fall through the cracks.
Add subscribers in Mailchimp for new Stax payments
Streamline your post-purchase follow-up by automatically syncing new Stax customers to your Mailchimp audience. This integration ensures that after every transaction, the customer is added to the right list. The Stax + Mailchimp Zap makes your life easier because you can welcome them with a thank-you email, share loyalty rewards, or kick off a tailored nurture sequence without any manual work.
Bringing It All Together
Whatever application you use, you can automate your process with a Zap to save time and boost your efficiency. Automated workflows can work as long as you need them to—you only have to set them up once. And if you change software platforms, you can create a new Zap and still track your information.
Have more questions about using Zapier with Stax? Request a demo and learn more about how it can help you streamline your business.
With modern features, including data analysis and mobile payments, our payment systems can meet all your requirements for a better business.
FAQs about Zapier
Q: What is Zapier and how does it relate to business applications?
Zapier is an automation application that allows businesses to connect thousands of different apps into workflows. By doing this, it helps to streamline communication between applications, effectively making business processes more efficient.
Q: Can I build my own workflow automation with Zapier?
Yes, you can create workflows to your liking, called “Zaps”, through the AI-powered Zap builder, pre-built templates, or starting from scratch with a blank template. Once created, a Zap waits for a defined set of new data to transfer between applications and takes necessary actions accordingly.
Q: How can automation via Zapier benefit my business operations?
The benefits of using automated workflows via Zapier include reducing time spent on repetitive tasks, automating to-do lists, optimizing lead management, improving customer service, and customizing order communications. Essentially, it boosts efficiency and reduces the manual work involved in various business operations.
Q: What is the role of Zapier in CRM integration?
Zapier can be used to connect your CRM to other business applications such as Stax, Salesforce, or HubSpot, enabling automatic addition of new customers every time a payment is processed or an invoice is sent. With Zapier, the data transfer process can be automated, ensuring that essential customer information is instantly available on your CRM platform for various uses such as email marketing or referral programs.
Q: How does a Zap work in Zapier?
A Zap is an automation workflow, built on a trigger that waits for a defined set of new data to transfer. When new data is added in your software, the Zap takes an action step to find the data and transfer it to the integrated software. The transfer happens through APIs and the Zap doesn’t need to be built again once it’s set up.
Q: Is it possible to automate tasks in Stax using Zapier?
Yes, Zapier integrations can be built right from the Stax platform to connect to other applications. A webhook tied to a particular event can be created from the Settings tab in Stax to trigger a specific action between the Stax Platform and another application. Once a Zap is set up, it continues to work without needing further interventions.
Q: How can Zapier help in order communications?
With the correct automation workflows in place, Zapier can help you communicate order fulfillment and shipping statuses, flag orders needing specialized attention, and create customized follow-ups to drive repeat business. It can ensure that high-quality email communications are delivered to your customers post-sale, enhancing the customer journey.
Q: Can Zapier help streamline data management?
Yes, Zapier helps ensure that the data your business collects from various sources get sent to the right person or team. By setting up automation workflows using Zapier, data is sent to the correct app or apps, which helps mitigate common points of failure and improves overall data management in businesses of all sizes.
Q: What if I change my software platforms, can I still use my Zaps?
If you change your software platforms, you can create a new Zap and continue tracking your processes and information as before. The automated workflows work as long as you need them to once set up.
Q: Where can I learn more about using Zapier with Stax?
For more information about using Zapier with Stax, you can request a demo and learn more about how Zapier can help streamline your business operations. It can help in extending the capabilities of your Stax platform by connecting it to various other applications that your business uses.
