Guide to n8n Automation Tool: Integrations, Self-Hosting Tips & More!

Workflow automation tools have become a must-have on the internet right now. Whether for large or small businesses, everyone is seeking methods to automate repetitive tasks. These tools help businesses perform more efficient processes, connecting applications and automating various functionalities without any human intervention. This is exactly what n8n was created for.

With only 167 team members running a whole automation tool, its value is now $270 M. So, this is the exact power of automation with AI and advanced tools. In this blog, we will help you learn everything about how you can automate your business with n8n.

n8n (short for "nodemation") is a powerful open-source workflow automation tool that allows users to create custom automations across hundreds of apps. Unlike most no-code platforms, n8n offers low-code flexibility, enabling developers and non-developers to build complex workflows using a visual interface and optional JavaScript.

1. What Can You Do With n8n?

• Connect over 350 apps like Google Sheets, Slack, OpenAI, and Airtable
• Build multi-step workflows with triggers, filters, and logic
• Automate marketing tasks, lead generation, data syncing, and more

2. How n8n Differs From Other Tools

Compared to tools like Zapier or Power Automate, n8n offers:

• Greater flexibility with custom code and logic
• Self-hosting capabilities for complete data control
• A visual editor with advanced features like loops and branching

This makes it a strong choice for users needing ease-of-use and deep customization.

3. Is n8n Free to Use?

Yes, n8n is free under a Fair Code License, which means you can use it for commercial and personal projects. You can self-host it using Docker or choose n8n Cloud for a managed solution.

4. Why is n8n So Popular?

• Its open-source nature and active community
• Support for advanced workflows without vendor lock-in
• Frequent updates and integrations with trending tools like OpenAI

5. When Was n8n Created?

n8n was launched in 2019 and has quickly grown into one of the most robust and flexible automation tools available today.

When choosing the right automation tool, n8n and Zapier are two popular options catering to different audiences and needs. While both allow you to automate tasks between apps, their approach, flexibility, and cost structures differ.

1. Ease of Use and Customization

Zapier is known for its user-friendly, no-code interface, making it an ideal choice for non-technical users. You can create simple "Zaps" with just a few clicks by selecting triggers and actions across thousands of supported apps. However, this simplicity comes at the cost of flexibility. Advanced workflows involving conditions, loops, or custom scripts often hit limitations quickly.

n8n offers a low-code environment with a visual editor that supports conditional logic, JavaScript functions, and data manipulation. While there's a slight learning curve, n8n provides far more control and customization, which is essential for developers and power users building complex automations.

2. Cost Comparison

Zapier operates on a freemium model, but becomes expensive as your needs grow. Its free plan is limited to 100 tasks/month, and advanced features like multi-step Zaps, filters, and custom logic are locked behind premium tiers.

n8n, however, is free and open-source, allowing users to self-host it without restrictions. This makes it a cost-effective choice, especially for startups and businesses with high-volume automation needs. For those preferring a hosted solution, n8n Cloud offers competitive pricing.

3. Flexibility and Scalability

n8n excels in flexibility and scalability. With support for over 350 integrations and the ability to create custom nodes, it can grow with your business. Its self-hosting capability also means you retain complete control over your data and infrastructure.

Zapier is great for simple automations, but n8n is better suited for users who need scalable, customizable workflows and more control over their automation processes.

4. n8n vs Power Automate: Key Differences

If you're new to automation, n8n is a fantastic tool. It offers a visual, intuitive interface for building custom workflows, even if you're not a developer. In this beginner-friendly n8n tutorial, we'll show you how to create your first automation in just a few steps.

1. How to Use n8n for Workflow Automation

n8n connects different apps and services using "nodes." Each node performs a specific function, like triggering a workflow, processing data, or sending information to another app.

Workflows are triggered by an event (like receiving a form submission) and executed step-by-step using nodes. These workflows can automate tasks such as sending emails, updating a spreadsheet, or generating AI responses using OpenAI.

2. Step-by-Step n8n Tutorial with a Simple Example

Let's build a basic workflow that automatically adds new form responses to a Google Sheet:

• Install or Access n8n: Use the free n8n cloud or install locally via Docker or a desktop app.
• Create a New Workflow: Click "New Workflow" in the dashboard.
• Add a Trigger Node: Use the Webhook node to capture form data or select an app like Typeform.
• Add a Google Sheets Node: Connect your account to the Google Sheets node and define the spreadsheet to update.
• Map the Data: Connect the webhook fields to the Google Sheet columns.
• Test the Workflow: Send test data through the form and ensure it appears in your Google Sheet.
• Activate the Workflow: Once tested, activate it to run live.

3. Building Your First Workflow: Tips for Success

• Start simple: Use triggers like webhooks or schedule nodes.
• Use expressions: to manipulate data between nodes.
• Explore community workflows: n8n templates and examples offer great inspiration.
• Always test: before activating any workflow to ensure everything runs smoothly.

This basic understanding allows you to explore more advanced n8n workflow examples, including marketing automation, lead generation, and AI integrations.

Self-hosting n8n gives you complete control over your workflows, data, and infrastructure. Whether you want to save costs, boost performance, or maintain privacy, hosting n8n on Docker is a reliable and scalable option. Let's explore how to do it step-by-step.

1. Is n8n Free? Understanding the Open-Source Model

n8n operates under the Fair Code License, which means it's free for personal and commercial use, as long as you don't offer it as a competing automation service.

2. Community Edition vs Cloud Version

• n8n Community Edition: Self-hosted and entirely free. You can deploy it on your server using Docker, without usage limits.
• n8n Cloud: A managed version with premium support, backups, and team collaboration features—ideal for those who prefer not to manage infrastructure.

3. What You Get With the n8n Free Version

• Build unlimited workflows
• Use all nodes and integrations
• Run it on your server or local machine
• Customize the platform with your code

4. How to Install n8n on Docker

Prerequisites

• Docker and Docker Compose are installed on your system
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands

Docker Installation Guide

• Create a new directory: mkdir n8n-docker && cd n8n-docker
• Create a docker-compose.yml file with n8n configuration.
• Run: docker-compose up -d
• Your n8n instance will be available at http://localhost:5678.

5. Configuration Options

You can customize:

• Port settings
• Database connections (PostgreSQL, MySQL)
• User authentication
• Persistent storage volumes

6. n8n Self-Hosting Tutorial

Environment Variables

Set variables like N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER and N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD for secure access.

Webhook Setup

Ensure your server supports HTTPS and configure firewalls to allow external requests to your webhook endpoints.

Securing Your Instance

• Use basic auth or OAuth
• Set up HTTPS using Nginx + Let's Encrypt
• Regularly back up workflows and credentials

One of n8n's most powerful features is its ability to integrate with virtually any application that offers an API. Whether automating tasks between internal tools or connecting to third-party platforms, n8n's HTTP Request node gives you complete flexibility to communicate with any RESTful service.

1. Introduction to n8n's HTTP Request Node

The HTTP Request node in n8n is the key to custom API integrations. It allows you to send HTTP calls (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) directly to an API endpoint, giving you the power to:

• Pull data from external systems
• Push data into CRMs, databases, or webhooks
• Trigger workflows based on external events

This node is especially useful when n8n doesn't have a built-in integration for a specific app—you can simply connect to its API manually.

2. REST API Integration Guide

Here's a step-by-step example of how to use the HTTP Request node:

• Add the HTTP Request Node to Your Workflow:
  • Select the method (e.g., GET or POST).
  • Enter the API endpoint URL.
• Configure Request Parameters:
  • Add headers, query strings, or body data as the API requires.
  • Use dynamic data from previous nodes if needed.
• Execute the Node:
  • Run the workflow and check the response data.
• Parse and Use the Response:
  • Feed the returned data into other nodes (e.g., Google Sheets, email, or database).

3. Authentication Methods: OAuth2, API Keys, and More

Most APIs require authentication. n8n supports several methods:

• API Key: Add it to headers or as a query parameter.
• OAuth2: Use n8n's built-in OAuth2 credential setup for platforms like Google, Slack, or HubSpot.
• Basic Auth / Bearer Token: Easily configured within the HTTP node settings.

These options allow you to connect to almost any secure API and automate complex platform tasks.

Modern marketing demands speed, personalization, and efficiency. With n8n, you can automate repetitive marketing tasks, streamline lead generation, and stay active on social media without writing complex code.

Let's explore how n8n marketing automation workflows can supercharge your strategy.

1. n8n Use Cases for Marketing Automation

n8n allows marketers to create end-to-end automation workflows using tools they already use, like CRMs, email platforms, and analytics tools.

• Email Campaign Triggers: Trigger email sequences when a user signs up, downloads a resource, or performs an action. Integrate with Mailchimp, SendGrid, or even custom SMTP services to personalize at scale.
• CRM Updates and Segmentation: Automatically push new leads into your CRM (like HubSpot or Salesforce), segment them based on behavior, and trigger follow-ups. You can also sync CRM data across platforms for consistency.

2. How to Automate Lead Generation Using n8n

• Integrate Forms and Landing Pages: Connect Typeform, Google Forms, or Webflow forms to n8n using webhook nodes. Every submission can trigger a custom workflow in real time.
• Sync With Google Sheets or Airtable: Store lead data directly into Google Sheets or Airtable for tracking, nurturing, or scoring. You can also add logic to filter quality leads or send alerts to your team via Slack.
• Bonus: Add OpenAI integration to qualify or enrich leads automatically based on responses.

3. n8n Social Media Automation Workflows

• Schedule and Post to Social Channels: Use n8n to automatically post or schedule updates to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram via API or third-party tools. This is great for content calendars and campaign coordination.
• Automate Content Curation: Pull articles, blog posts, or user-generated content via RSS feeds or APIs and share them automatically on your channels, keeping your profiles active with minimal effort.

Beyond basic automation, n8n's advanced integrations let you tap into the power of AI, cloud spreadsheets, and lightweight databases. Whether you're building intelligent chatbots, syncing marketing data, or automating business operations, these tools open up powerful possibilities.

1. Create AI Chatbot Workflows with n8n and OpenAI

With OpenAI integration, you can embed AI directly into your workflows to automate tasks like content generation, lead qualification, or customer support.

Using the OpenAI Node in n8n

The OpenAI node allows you to send prompts and receive intelligent responses from models like GPT-4. Simply add the node, connect your API key, and format the prompt dynamically using user input or data from other nodes.

Chatbot Example for Customer Service or Lead Gen

• Takes user input from a form or chatbot tool
• Sends it to OpenAI to generate a reply
• Routes the response to email, Slack, or a CRM

This is a powerful way to automate support tickets, FAQs, or personalized lead nurturing at scale.

2. How to Integrate n8n with Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a popular integration in n8n for data tracking and reporting.

Trigger-Based Data Sync

You can trigger workflows based on new data added to a form or CRM and then push that data into a specific sheet.

Append New Rows, Read/Write Data

• Add new rows automatically
• Read data for logic-based automation
• Update or delete rows as needed

This is ideal for reporting dashboards, sales tracking, or content calendars.

3. Setting Up n8n with Airtable

Airtable offers database functionality with a user-friendly spreadsheet UI—perfect for startups and marketers.

Use Airtable for Lightweight Database Functions

Store structured data like leads, inventory, or campaign info in Airtable bases and manipulate them using n8n.

Syncing Records and Triggering Automations

Automate syncing between Airtable and other tools (like Slack or Mailchimp) or trigger updates when records change.

One of n8n's greatest strengths is its extensibility. While the platform includes hundreds of built-in integrations, advanced users can go further by developing custom nodes—bespoke modules that add new functionality or connect to services not officially supported yet.

What Are Custom Nodes in n8n?

Custom nodes are user-defined code blocks extending n8n's capabilities beyond out-of-the-box integrations. They are typically written in JavaScript/TypeScript and added to n8n's codebase using the n8n custom node framework.

Custom nodes appear and function just like native ones in the n8n editor, offering:

• Custom triggers and actions
• Tailored inputs/outputs
• Logic specific to your business use case

These nodes are especially valuable for internal tools, niche APIs, or proprietary systems.

When and Why to Create Your Nodes

You might consider creating a custom node if:

• The service or API you want to integrate isn't natively supported
• You need repeated logic or reusable functions across workflows
• You want to streamline complex HTTP requests into a single block

Creating custom nodes reduces redundancy, simplifies your workflow UI, and enhances team collaboration by packaging logic into manageable components.

Example Use Cases and Community Plugins

Here are practical examples of what you can build or find in the community:

• Internal ERP System Integration: Connect n8n with your company's internal tools for reporting or inventory automation.
• Custom Analytics Tools: Push tracking events to a custom analytics endpoint.
• AI Workflows: Wrap multiple OpenAI actions into a single "Smart Reply" node.

You can also explore the n8n community plugins directory, which includes ready-made nodes for Telegram bots, cryptocurrency APIs, text formatting, and more.

From lead generation and marketing automation to API integrations and AI-powered chatbots, n8n empowers technical and non-technical users to create workflows tailored to their unique needs.

Unlike traditional tools like Zapier, Power Automate, or Apache Airflow, n8n gives you complete control. It offers flexible hosting options, advanced logic, and community-built nodes that cover almost any use case imaginable. Whether syncing data to Google Sheets, building workflows with OpenAI, or managing customer data in Airtable, n8n's modular approach ensures you can do it without breaking the bank.

Contact Elightwalk Technology for Artificial Intelligence Development Service to make the right decision for your future. Most importantly, n8n's strength lies in its community-driven ecosystem. With hundreds of integrations, a growing marketplace of plugins, and strong documentation, getting started is easier than ever. You're not just using a tool, you're joining a movement to democratize workflow automation.