n8n Workflow Automation for Business
What is n8n?
n8n is a powerful workflow automation tool that allows you to connect different services and automate business processes visually.
Getting Started
Installation
npm install n8n -g
n8n start
Basic Workflow Example
Let's create a workflow that:
1. Monitors new emails
2. Processes the content with AI
3. Sends a notification to Slack
Step 1: Email Trigger
1. Add "Gmail" trigger node
2. Configure authentication
3. Set up email monitoring
Step 2: AI Processing
1. Add "OpenAI" node
2. Configure prompt
3. Process email content
Step 3: Slack Notification
1. Add "Slack" node
2. Configure webhook
3. Send formatted message
Advanced Workflows
Multi-Step Automation
Integration Patterns
Best Practices
1. Error Handling: Always add error nodes
2. Testing: Use test data first
3. Documentation: Document your workflows
4. Monitoring: Set up alerts
Conclusion
n8n makes complex automations accessible to everyone. Start with simple workflows and gradually build more sophisticated automations.