Zapier helps to connect different web services together to make harmony!
March 17, 2017
Zapier helps to connect different web services together to make harmony!
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Zapier
We utilize Zapier as a way to create links across multiple software packages. We mainly use Zapier in our creative department as we create analytics dashboards for projects in the queue, responses to projects, website traffic, to-do tasks for each of our team members and as a way to help outside departments stay connected to data that they interact with. We feel that Zapier has helped us solve a connection issue between different data sets and projects across multiple websites. While Zapier is mainly used in our creative department, it is connecting other departments to my department as we feed information to other areas of our organization.
- Zapier allows users to create a link between two different web services. Often this is referred to as"If This, Then That" programming. They enable you to make quick connections between different services without knowing how to program or dive into each services API.
- Zapier has presets that allow you to pick your sending service and then your receiving service. By showing you presets or "Zaps" that others have created, you can get unique ideas or quickly create "Zaps" that work on the first try. This eliminates trial and error.
- Zapier is highly customizable. Many times I have found a preset or template to start from and tweaked the workflow till it did exactly what I needed it to do. With so many web services available, the possibilities are endless.
- Zapier relies on partnerships with other web services. There have been a few instances where my Zap didn't work as it should or would create an error that I could not figure out how to remedy. I am sure that their support could have helped me out, but I found myself deleting the current Zap and starting fresh.
- Because it is based on the technology that is available to them, I have found a few Zaps that I created broke over time. I didn't see that as Zapier's fault because they are a middle man for web services however, it did cause frustration on when those broke. On the plus side, I did receive email notification when a Zap has an error and cannot complete the outlined task(s).
- It's hard to quantify the ROI Zapier if you don't have a plan for where your time goes. We have tracked the time saved by using Zapier to around 5% a week. That's 2 hours each week that one of my staff isn't doing a very laborious task. The unrealized cost in our situation is that the staff member is now taking on more responsibility and isn't weighed down by mundane tasks.
- Another ROI that we have seen is that our data is more accurate. You can never totally eliminate human error, but computer systems are great at highly repetitive tasks. Zapier excels at doing the same tasks as many times as you request.
Although IFTTT was the original web services connector, I have always felt that Zapier bested them with their preset templates. Zapier also connected more business web services than IFTTT when I signed up for Zapier. The product that Zapier delivered has always felt more polished and professional. While I might consider using IFTTT for personal use, Zapier is clearly the professional/business offering for us!