Make.com for Visual Automation
Build sophisticated workflows with a visual interface. Perfect for teams who need powerful automation without writing code.
What is Make.com?
Make (formerly Integromat) is a visual automation platform that connects apps and services through "scenarios" – visual workflows that show exactly how your data flows.
Make vs Zapier: Key Differences
Make.com Strengths
- • Visual workflow builder
- • Complex branching logic
- • Better error handling
- • More affordable at scale
- • Advanced data manipulation
Best For
- • Technical teams
- • Complex workflows
- • Data transformation
- • High-volume operations
- • Custom API integrations
Top 10 Make.com Automations for Businesses
Multi-Channel Lead Router
Capture leads from multiple sources and route them based on criteria like location, budget, or service needed.
Scenario: Facebook Lead → Analyze data → Route to right salesperson → Add to CRM → Send custom email sequence
Why Make: Complex routing logic with multiple branches
Intelligent Document Processing
Extract data from PDFs, invoices, and forms, then populate your systems automatically.
Scenario: Email attachment → OCR extraction → Data validation → Update database → Generate reports
Why Make: Advanced data parsing and transformation tools
Complete Customer Journey
Track customer interactions across touchpoints and trigger actions based on behavior.
Scenario: Website visit → Email open → Support ticket → Purchase → Review request → Loyalty program
Why Make: Multi-step workflows with conditional logic
Multi-Platform Inventory Sync
Keep inventory synchronized across multiple sales channels and warehouses in real-time.
Scenario: Order placed → Update all channels → Check thresholds → Reorder if needed → Update forecasts
Why Make: Handle complex calculations and multiple APIs
Smart Content Distribution
Automatically adapt and distribute content across platforms with format optimization.
Scenario: Blog post → Extract key points → Create social posts → Resize images → Schedule across platforms
Why Make: Advanced text and image manipulation
6. HR Onboarding Pipeline
New hire → Create accounts → Send docs → Schedule training → Track progress
7. Financial Reconciliation
Match transactions → Flag discrepancies → Generate reports → Alert on issues
8. Project Status Updates
Gather data from tools → Create dashboards → Send custom reports to stakeholders
9. Support Ticket Triage
Analyze tickets → Categorize → Route → Suggest solutions → Track SLAs
10. Data Backup & Archive
Schedule backups → Compress → Store in multiple locations → Verify integrity
Getting Started with Make.com
Understanding the Interface
Key Concepts:
- •Scenarios: Your automations (like Zaps in Zapier)
- •Modules: Individual actions or triggers in your workflow
- •Operations: The "fuel" for your automations (like tasks)
- •Routers: Split your workflow into multiple paths
- •Filters: Control which data continues in the flow
Your First Scenario
Let's build a simple but powerful automation: Auto-respond to form submissions with personalized emails.
Add Trigger Module
Choose "Watch Responses" from Google Forms or your form tool
Add Router
Split paths based on form answers (e.g., inquiry type)
Add Filters
Set conditions for each path (pricing inquiry, support, etc.)
Add Email Module
Create personalized responses for each path
Test & Activate
Run test data through, check results, then turn on
Advanced Features to Master
Data Store
Built-in database for storing and retrieving data between scenarios
Webhooks
Receive data from any source and trigger instant automations
Error Handling
Set up fallback paths and retry logic for failed operations
Array Iteration
Process lists of items individually with powerful array tools
Make.com Pricing Breakdown
Free
$0/month
- • 1,000 operations/month
- • 2 active scenarios
- • 15-minute intervals
- • Basic modules only
Perfect for: Testing and learning
Core
Best Value$9/month
- • 10,000 operations/month
- • Unlimited scenarios
- • 5-minute intervals
- • All standard modules
Perfect for: Small businesses
Pro
$16/month
- • 10,000 operations/month
- • Priority execution
- • 1-minute intervals
- • Advanced features
Perfect for: Growing teams
💡 Pro tip: Operations roll over month-to-month on paid plans. Buy extra operations in bulk for better rates when you need them.
Make.com Best Practices
Plan Before Building
Map out your workflow on paper first. Identify all data sources, transformations, and destinations before opening Make.
Use Descriptive Names
Name your scenarios, modules, and variables clearly. "Customer Onboarding - Step 2" beats "Untitled scenario 5".
Build Error Handling First
Add error handlers to every module from the start. It's harder to retrofit them after your scenario is complex.
Monitor Operations Usage
Set up usage alerts at 80% of your limit. Running out mid-month breaks automations and frustrates customers.
Document Everything
Use notes in modules and maintain external documentation. Your future self (and team) will thank you.
When to Use Make vs Custom Code
Use Make When:
- • Connecting standard apps and APIs
- • Team needs to understand/modify flows
- • Rapid prototyping and iteration
- • Visual debugging is important
- • Budget is limited
Use Code When:
- • Complex algorithms or ML needed
- • Millisecond response times required
- • Handling millions of operations
- • Custom security requirements
- • Building a product to sell
Real Make.com Success Stories
E-commerce Multi-Channel Manager
Online retailer syncing inventory across Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and their warehouse.
Challenge: Manual updates causing overselling and angry customers
Solution: Make scenario updating all channels within 30 seconds of any change
Result: 100% inventory accuracy, 0 oversells, 5 hours/week saved
Marketing Agency Report Automation
Agency creating custom client reports from 10+ data sources monthly.
Challenge: 2 days per month creating reports manually
Solution: Make pulls data, creates branded PDFs, sends to clients automatically
Result: Reports in 2 hours not 2 days, consistent formatting, happier clients
Your Make.com Quick Start Checklist
Week 1: Learn & Plan
- Sign up for free account
- Complete interactive tutorial
- Identify first automation project
- Map workflow on paper
Week 2: Build & Test
- Build first scenario
- Test with real data
- Add error handling
- Go live and monitor
Ready to Build Visual Automations?
Make.com opens up powerful automation possibilities for non-developers. Let's help you build workflows that transform your operations.
About This Guide: Pacific Agentic helps businesses implement smart automation strategies. We've built hundreds of Make.com scenarios that save our clients thousands of hours annually.