Automations with Make, Zapier, n8n
May 30, 2025
May 30, 2025
May 30, 2025
May 30, 2025
-
3 minutes
3 minutes
3 minutes
3 minutes
Automation is no longer a luxury in digital marketing, but a strategic lever for efficiency, scalability, and personalization. Tools like Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and n8n allow for automating recurring tasks and seamlessly connecting different systems. In this article, we will take a detailed look at these three platforms, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and provide concrete use cases for digital marketing.
dietz.digital uses Make exclusively for its own applications and for clients in the EU. The reason is that only Make has server locations in the EU, which is currently not the case for either Zapier or n8n. We pay close attention to ensuring that the GDPR is adhered to and that our clients can rely on this. n8n could also be an option for self-hosting. However, this would require its own infrastructure, which in many cases means too much effort. Additionally, this only concerns the very limited Community Edition.
Why Automation in Digital Marketing?
In digital marketing, numerous repetitive tasks are required:
Synchronization of leads between forms and CRM systems
Sending email campaigns based on user behavior
Automation of social media posts
Analysis and reporting of campaign data
With automation, marketers can:
Save time and reduce manual errors
Scale campaigns faster
Create personalized user experiences
Utilize and analyze data more efficiently
Overview of the Tools
1. Zapier – The market leader for simple automations
Strengths:
Over 6,000 integrations with various apps
Intuitive user interface, ideal for beginners
Quick setup of workflows without programming knowledge
Weaknesses:
Limited customization options for complex workflows
Costs can increase with heavy usage
Server location in the USA, which may raise data protection concerns
Typical use cases:
Automatic sending of welcome emails after form submission
Synchronization of contacts between Google Sheets and CRM
Notifications in Slack for new leads
2. Make – Visual workflows for more complex processes
Strengths:
Visual drag-and-drop editor for complex workflows
Support for conditions, loops, and branches
Server locations in the EU, making GDPR compliance easier
Weaknesses:
A slightly steeper learning curve compared to Zapier
Costs can increase with extensive workflows
Typical use cases:
Automated segmentation of leads based on behavior
Data enrichment through API calls to external services
Creation of individual reports and dashboards
3. n8n – Open-source solution for maximum flexibility
Strengths:
Open-source and self-hostable, full control over data, but limited functionality
High flexibility through custom code snippets (JavaScript)
Free in the self-hosted version (Community Edition)
Weaknesses:
Requires technical know-how for setup and maintenance
Fewer pre-built integrations compared to Zapier
Typical use cases:
Custom automations with specific requirements
Integration of internal systems and databases
Complex data processing tasks with custom scripts
Comparison Table
Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
Integrations | Over 6,000 | Over 1,000 | Over 300 |
User-friendliness | Very high | High | Medium |
Customizability | Medium | High | Very high |
Cost (from) | €20/month | €9/month | Free (Self-Hosted) |
GDPR Compliance | Limited | Yes (EU Servers) | Yes (Self-Hosting, Community Edition) |
Ideal for | Beginners | Advanced users | Developers |
Practical Examples in Digital Marketing
Lead Management:
Zapier: Automatic transfer of leads from Facebook Ads to the CRM system.
Make: Validation and enrichment of lead data through external APIs.
n8n: Complex lead scoring models based on user interactions.
Email Marketing:
Zapier: Sending follow-up emails after webinar registration.
Make: Segmentation of contacts based on click behavior.
n8n: Dynamic creation of email content through custom scripts.
Social Media:
Zapier: Automatic posting of blog articles on Twitter.
Make: Planning and publishing posts on multiple platforms.
n8n: Analysis of social media data to optimize campaigns.
Data Protection and Hosting
For businesses in the EU, GDPR compliance is a crucial factor:
Zapier hosts data in the USA, which may lead to data protection concerns.
Make offers server locations in the EU, making compliance with the GDPR easier.
n8n enables self-hosting, giving businesses complete control over their data.
Conclusion
The choice of the right automation tool depends on the specific requirements and resources of a company:
Zapier is excellent for beginners and simple automations.
Make offers more flexibility and is ideal for more complex workflows.
n8n is the right choice for companies that need maximum control and adaptability.
By using these tools, marketing teams can work more efficiently, optimize processes, and create personalized customer experiences.
Sources:
Automation is no longer a luxury in digital marketing, but a strategic lever for efficiency, scalability, and personalization. Tools like Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and n8n allow for automating recurring tasks and seamlessly connecting different systems. In this article, we will take a detailed look at these three platforms, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and provide concrete use cases for digital marketing.
dietz.digital uses Make exclusively for its own applications and for clients in the EU. The reason is that only Make has server locations in the EU, which is currently not the case for either Zapier or n8n. We pay close attention to ensuring that the GDPR is adhered to and that our clients can rely on this. n8n could also be an option for self-hosting. However, this would require its own infrastructure, which in many cases means too much effort. Additionally, this only concerns the very limited Community Edition.
Why Automation in Digital Marketing?
In digital marketing, numerous repetitive tasks are required:
Synchronization of leads between forms and CRM systems
Sending email campaigns based on user behavior
Automation of social media posts
Analysis and reporting of campaign data
With automation, marketers can:
Save time and reduce manual errors
Scale campaigns faster
Create personalized user experiences
Utilize and analyze data more efficiently
Overview of the Tools
1. Zapier – The market leader for simple automations
Strengths:
Over 6,000 integrations with various apps
Intuitive user interface, ideal for beginners
Quick setup of workflows without programming knowledge
Weaknesses:
Limited customization options for complex workflows
Costs can increase with heavy usage
Server location in the USA, which may raise data protection concerns
Typical use cases:
Automatic sending of welcome emails after form submission
Synchronization of contacts between Google Sheets and CRM
Notifications in Slack for new leads
2. Make – Visual workflows for more complex processes
Strengths:
Visual drag-and-drop editor for complex workflows
Support for conditions, loops, and branches
Server locations in the EU, making GDPR compliance easier
Weaknesses:
A slightly steeper learning curve compared to Zapier
Costs can increase with extensive workflows
Typical use cases:
Automated segmentation of leads based on behavior
Data enrichment through API calls to external services
Creation of individual reports and dashboards
3. n8n – Open-source solution for maximum flexibility
Strengths:
Open-source and self-hostable, full control over data, but limited functionality
High flexibility through custom code snippets (JavaScript)
Free in the self-hosted version (Community Edition)
Weaknesses:
Requires technical know-how for setup and maintenance
Fewer pre-built integrations compared to Zapier
Typical use cases:
Custom automations with specific requirements
Integration of internal systems and databases
Complex data processing tasks with custom scripts
Comparison Table
Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
Integrations | Over 6,000 | Over 1,000 | Over 300 |
User-friendliness | Very high | High | Medium |
Customizability | Medium | High | Very high |
Cost (from) | €20/month | €9/month | Free (Self-Hosted) |
GDPR Compliance | Limited | Yes (EU Servers) | Yes (Self-Hosting, Community Edition) |
Ideal for | Beginners | Advanced users | Developers |
Practical Examples in Digital Marketing
Lead Management:
Zapier: Automatic transfer of leads from Facebook Ads to the CRM system.
Make: Validation and enrichment of lead data through external APIs.
n8n: Complex lead scoring models based on user interactions.
Email Marketing:
Zapier: Sending follow-up emails after webinar registration.
Make: Segmentation of contacts based on click behavior.
n8n: Dynamic creation of email content through custom scripts.
Social Media:
Zapier: Automatic posting of blog articles on Twitter.
Make: Planning and publishing posts on multiple platforms.
n8n: Analysis of social media data to optimize campaigns.
Data Protection and Hosting
For businesses in the EU, GDPR compliance is a crucial factor:
Zapier hosts data in the USA, which may lead to data protection concerns.
Make offers server locations in the EU, making compliance with the GDPR easier.
n8n enables self-hosting, giving businesses complete control over their data.
Conclusion
The choice of the right automation tool depends on the specific requirements and resources of a company:
Zapier is excellent for beginners and simple automations.
Make offers more flexibility and is ideal for more complex workflows.
n8n is the right choice for companies that need maximum control and adaptability.
By using these tools, marketing teams can work more efficiently, optimize processes, and create personalized customer experiences.
Sources:
Automation is no longer a luxury in digital marketing, but a strategic lever for efficiency, scalability, and personalization. Tools like Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and n8n allow for automating recurring tasks and seamlessly connecting different systems. In this article, we will take a detailed look at these three platforms, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and provide concrete use cases for digital marketing.
dietz.digital uses Make exclusively for its own applications and for clients in the EU. The reason is that only Make has server locations in the EU, which is currently not the case for either Zapier or n8n. We pay close attention to ensuring that the GDPR is adhered to and that our clients can rely on this. n8n could also be an option for self-hosting. However, this would require its own infrastructure, which in many cases means too much effort. Additionally, this only concerns the very limited Community Edition.
Why Automation in Digital Marketing?
In digital marketing, numerous repetitive tasks are required:
Synchronization of leads between forms and CRM systems
Sending email campaigns based on user behavior
Automation of social media posts
Analysis and reporting of campaign data
With automation, marketers can:
Save time and reduce manual errors
Scale campaigns faster
Create personalized user experiences
Utilize and analyze data more efficiently
Overview of the Tools
1. Zapier – The market leader for simple automations
Strengths:
Over 6,000 integrations with various apps
Intuitive user interface, ideal for beginners
Quick setup of workflows without programming knowledge
Weaknesses:
Limited customization options for complex workflows
Costs can increase with heavy usage
Server location in the USA, which may raise data protection concerns
Typical use cases:
Automatic sending of welcome emails after form submission
Synchronization of contacts between Google Sheets and CRM
Notifications in Slack for new leads
2. Make – Visual workflows for more complex processes
Strengths:
Visual drag-and-drop editor for complex workflows
Support for conditions, loops, and branches
Server locations in the EU, making GDPR compliance easier
Weaknesses:
A slightly steeper learning curve compared to Zapier
Costs can increase with extensive workflows
Typical use cases:
Automated segmentation of leads based on behavior
Data enrichment through API calls to external services
Creation of individual reports and dashboards
3. n8n – Open-source solution for maximum flexibility
Strengths:
Open-source and self-hostable, full control over data, but limited functionality
High flexibility through custom code snippets (JavaScript)
Free in the self-hosted version (Community Edition)
Weaknesses:
Requires technical know-how for setup and maintenance
Fewer pre-built integrations compared to Zapier
Typical use cases:
Custom automations with specific requirements
Integration of internal systems and databases
Complex data processing tasks with custom scripts
Comparison Table
Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
Integrations | Over 6,000 | Over 1,000 | Over 300 |
User-friendliness | Very high | High | Medium |
Customizability | Medium | High | Very high |
Cost (from) | €20/month | €9/month | Free (Self-Hosted) |
GDPR Compliance | Limited | Yes (EU Servers) | Yes (Self-Hosting, Community Edition) |
Ideal for | Beginners | Advanced users | Developers |
Practical Examples in Digital Marketing
Lead Management:
Zapier: Automatic transfer of leads from Facebook Ads to the CRM system.
Make: Validation and enrichment of lead data through external APIs.
n8n: Complex lead scoring models based on user interactions.
Email Marketing:
Zapier: Sending follow-up emails after webinar registration.
Make: Segmentation of contacts based on click behavior.
n8n: Dynamic creation of email content through custom scripts.
Social Media:
Zapier: Automatic posting of blog articles on Twitter.
Make: Planning and publishing posts on multiple platforms.
n8n: Analysis of social media data to optimize campaigns.
Data Protection and Hosting
For businesses in the EU, GDPR compliance is a crucial factor:
Zapier hosts data in the USA, which may lead to data protection concerns.
Make offers server locations in the EU, making compliance with the GDPR easier.
n8n enables self-hosting, giving businesses complete control over their data.
Conclusion
The choice of the right automation tool depends on the specific requirements and resources of a company:
Zapier is excellent for beginners and simple automations.
Make offers more flexibility and is ideal for more complex workflows.
n8n is the right choice for companies that need maximum control and adaptability.
By using these tools, marketing teams can work more efficiently, optimize processes, and create personalized customer experiences.
Sources:
Automation is no longer a luxury in digital marketing, but a strategic lever for efficiency, scalability, and personalization. Tools like Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and n8n allow for automating recurring tasks and seamlessly connecting different systems. In this article, we will take a detailed look at these three platforms, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and provide concrete use cases for digital marketing.
dietz.digital uses Make exclusively for its own applications and for clients in the EU. The reason is that only Make has server locations in the EU, which is currently not the case for either Zapier or n8n. We pay close attention to ensuring that the GDPR is adhered to and that our clients can rely on this. n8n could also be an option for self-hosting. However, this would require its own infrastructure, which in many cases means too much effort. Additionally, this only concerns the very limited Community Edition.
Why Automation in Digital Marketing?
In digital marketing, numerous repetitive tasks are required:
Synchronization of leads between forms and CRM systems
Sending email campaigns based on user behavior
Automation of social media posts
Analysis and reporting of campaign data
With automation, marketers can:
Save time and reduce manual errors
Scale campaigns faster
Create personalized user experiences
Utilize and analyze data more efficiently
Overview of the Tools
1. Zapier – The market leader for simple automations
Strengths:
Over 6,000 integrations with various apps
Intuitive user interface, ideal for beginners
Quick setup of workflows without programming knowledge
Weaknesses:
Limited customization options for complex workflows
Costs can increase with heavy usage
Server location in the USA, which may raise data protection concerns
Typical use cases:
Automatic sending of welcome emails after form submission
Synchronization of contacts between Google Sheets and CRM
Notifications in Slack for new leads
2. Make – Visual workflows for more complex processes
Strengths:
Visual drag-and-drop editor for complex workflows
Support for conditions, loops, and branches
Server locations in the EU, making GDPR compliance easier
Weaknesses:
A slightly steeper learning curve compared to Zapier
Costs can increase with extensive workflows
Typical use cases:
Automated segmentation of leads based on behavior
Data enrichment through API calls to external services
Creation of individual reports and dashboards
3. n8n – Open-source solution for maximum flexibility
Strengths:
Open-source and self-hostable, full control over data, but limited functionality
High flexibility through custom code snippets (JavaScript)
Free in the self-hosted version (Community Edition)
Weaknesses:
Requires technical know-how for setup and maintenance
Fewer pre-built integrations compared to Zapier
Typical use cases:
Custom automations with specific requirements
Integration of internal systems and databases
Complex data processing tasks with custom scripts
Comparison Table
Feature | Zapier | Make | n8n |
|---|---|---|---|
Integrations | Over 6,000 | Over 1,000 | Over 300 |
User-friendliness | Very high | High | Medium |
Customizability | Medium | High | Very high |
Cost (from) | €20/month | €9/month | Free (Self-Hosted) |
GDPR Compliance | Limited | Yes (EU Servers) | Yes (Self-Hosting, Community Edition) |
Ideal for | Beginners | Advanced users | Developers |
Practical Examples in Digital Marketing
Lead Management:
Zapier: Automatic transfer of leads from Facebook Ads to the CRM system.
Make: Validation and enrichment of lead data through external APIs.
n8n: Complex lead scoring models based on user interactions.
Email Marketing:
Zapier: Sending follow-up emails after webinar registration.
Make: Segmentation of contacts based on click behavior.
n8n: Dynamic creation of email content through custom scripts.
Social Media:
Zapier: Automatic posting of blog articles on Twitter.
Make: Planning and publishing posts on multiple platforms.
n8n: Analysis of social media data to optimize campaigns.
Data Protection and Hosting
For businesses in the EU, GDPR compliance is a crucial factor:
Zapier hosts data in the USA, which may lead to data protection concerns.
Make offers server locations in the EU, making compliance with the GDPR easier.
n8n enables self-hosting, giving businesses complete control over their data.
Conclusion
The choice of the right automation tool depends on the specific requirements and resources of a company:
Zapier is excellent for beginners and simple automations.
Make offers more flexibility and is ideal for more complex workflows.
n8n is the right choice for companies that need maximum control and adaptability.
By using these tools, marketing teams can work more efficiently, optimize processes, and create personalized customer experiences.
Sources:
