AI Agents
Module 09Lesson 5

Lesson 5. Ready-Made Connectors: Zapier, Make, n8n

Hands-on: Zapier

Lesson 5. Ready-Made Connectors: Zapier, Make, n8n#

Goal: understand how to connect APIs without coding using ready-made connectors.

What Is a Connector#

A connector is a ready-made module for connecting to an API that doesn't require coding knowledge.

Instead of writing requests manually:

POST https://api.example.com/clients
Authorization: Bearer sk_test_123
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "John Smith",
  "email": "john@example.com"
}

You simply:

  1. Choose a service (e.g., "Google Sheets")
  2. Authorize (grant access)
  3. Choose an action ("Add row to spreadsheet")
  4. Fill in the fields (spreadsheet name, sheet, data)
  5. Run → the connector builds the request and sends it to the API

Platforms with Connectors#

1. Zapier

  • Number of connectors: 6000+
  • Pros: huge library, simple interface, many templates
  • Cons: expensive (from $20/month), slow (step takes ~1 second)
  • For whom: quick start, simple scenarios

2. Make (formerly Integromat)

  • Number of connectors: 1500+
  • Pros: visual editor, complex scenarios, cheaper than Zapier
  • Cons: more complex interface, fewer templates
  • For whom: complex automations, those willing to learn

3. n8n

  • Number of connectors: 400+
  • Pros: open-source, free (self-hosted), flexible, you can write code
  • Cons: need to deploy on your own server (or pay for cloud from $20/month)
  • For whom: advanced users, those who want full control

4. Zapier (built-in integrations)

  • Number of connectors: ~100 (growing)
  • Pros: built into the platform, free (within Zapier), simple
  • Cons: fewer services than Make
  • For whom: agents on Zapier, quick start

How to Connect a Service via Connector#

Example: connect Google Sheets to Zapier

Step 1. Create a Zap (automation)

  • go to zapier.com
  • click "Create Zap"

Step 2. Choose a trigger (event)

  • select app "Google Sheets"
  • select event "New Spreadsheet Row"
  • authorize (grant access to Google Sheets)
  • select spreadsheet and sheet
  • test the trigger (Zapier will find the last row)

Step 3. Choose an action

  • click "+" (add step)
  • select app (e.g., "Gmail")
  • select action "Send Email"
  • authorize
  • fill in the fields:
    • To: data from trigger (email from spreadsheet)
    • Subject: "New client"
    • Body: "Hello, [name from spreadsheet]!"
  • test the action

Step 4. Turn on the Zap

  • click "Publish"
  • now when a new row is added to the spreadsheet → an email is sent automatically

When to Use Connectors vs Direct Requests#

Use connectors when:

  • you don't know how to code
  • the service is already in the connector library
  • you need to quickly test an idea
  • the scenario is simple (1–5 steps)

Use direct requests (HTTP node) when:

  • the service isn't in the connector library
  • the connector doesn't support the action you need
  • you need maximum flexibility
  • you can read API documentation