Business Automation with n8n: Complete Guide

• 12 min • Automation

n8n — free automation tool that replaces paid Zapier and Make. I'll show what you can automate without programming.

What is n8n

n8n (doesn't want nod) — open source automation. You can:

  • Install on your server (free)
  • Use cloud version (free tier)
  • Create complex scenarios without code
  • Integrate 300+ services

Basic Workflows

1. New Lead → Telegram

Trigger: Form on site (Formspree)
↓
Node: Telegram → Send message

When client leaves request — notification in Telegram. Save 15 minutes/day checking email.

2. Order → CRM + Google Sheets

Trigger: WooCommerce / Tilda
↓
Node: Add row to Google Sheets
↓
Node: Create contact in Bitrix24 / amoCRM

All orders automatically go to CRM and table. No manual entry.

3. Birthday Reminder

Trigger: Schedule (daily at 9:00)
↓
Node: Find contacts with birthday today
↓
Node: Send congratulations to manager in Telegram

4. Social Media Posting

Trigger: RSS WordPress
↓
Node: Twitter / Facebook / VK
↓
Node: Telegram → Notify about post

Ready Templates

n8n has built-in marketplace with 1000+ templates:

  • Google Workspace automation
  • CRM integrations
  • Email automation
  • AI workflow (ChatGPT, Claude)
  • Telegram bots

Pricing

  • Self-hosted — free (your server)
  • Cloud (free) — 1 user, 1000 runs/month
  • Cloud Pro — $20/month (unlimited)

Client automated 5 business processes and cut costs by 25,000₽/month. ROI in 2 weeks.

How to Start

  1. Register at n8n.cloud
  2. Choose template from marketplace
  3. Connect services (Google, Telegram, CRM)
  4. Activate workflow
  5. Monitor in "Executions"

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