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 such as QuickBooks, communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Office, project management tools like Trello or Asana, and many other apps 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”, and 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 1,300 business tools, and “Zaps” connect the two applications you’d like to integrate. The Zapier Automation Platform allows for zero-coding automation across more than 5,000 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 cut it out altogether. Zapier integrates with thousands of other applications, so you can easily connect favorite tools to your Stax Enterprise account. Automation, in general, makes it easier to manage daily operations.
For instance, you can use Zapier to connect your Stax account to your CRM to automatically add new customers every time you process a payment or send an invoice. Inputting their basic information into Stax will trigger the Zap and transfer the data over to your CRM platform. Since Zapier is so versatile, it works with most big CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. You can even create email marketing campaigns for customer feedback or start a referral program – the possibilities are endless.
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, lead data is sent to the right 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.
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 the Stax Platform 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.
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.
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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.
