Jonáš SvětlíkConnecting your tools: Gmail, Sheets, calendar, Telegram
The magic of automation is connecting apps that normally never talk. I will explain webhooks and APIs so they make sense without any technical background.
How apps talk to each other
Through API - the interface programs use to send each other data. It can sound complicated, but n8n has ready-made nodes for hundreds of services: connect the account, pick the action, done. You click, you do not code.
Webhooks, simply put
A webhook is an address where, when something arrives, your workflow fires. A form on your site, an online shop or a payment gateway can send a "this just happened" message to such an address - and the automation kicks off.
The most useful connections
- Gmail - reading and sending email.
- Google Sheets - a spreadsheet as a simple database.
- Calendar - events and reminders.
- Telegram / WhatsApp - alerts straight to your phone.
- Ecommerce and invoicing - orders, invoices, payments.
Keys and access
You usually connect an account with a single sign-in (OAuth) or an API key. That key is like a password - keep it safe and do not paste it anywhere (see lesson on data).
Companies do not lose time because their apps are bad. They lose it retyping data between them by hand.
Got tools that do not talk to each other?
I will connect your apps so they hand data to each other on their own and you stop retyping. Tell me what you use.