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Welcome to a new realm of possibilities with Smartsuite! If you’re familiar with no-code tools, you’ll know the power they bring to automation. Recently, SmartSuite introduced a revolutionary feature—webhook actions. This addition opens up creative avenues, but it might seem complex at first. Fear not; we’re here to break it down step-by-step.
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What’s New in SmartSuite?
SmartSuite now supports native webhook actions, allowing you to interact with APIs directly from your automation workflows. This pioneering approach enables you to enrich data, interact with external services, and much more within your SmartSuite environment. In this guide, we’ll explore webhook actions in detail, and by the end, you’ll be ready to harness this powerful tool.
Meet Gareth: Your Guide Through Automation
Hello, automation enthusiasts! I’m Gareth, your guide from GAP Consulting, where our mission is to help you unlock the full potential of no-code tools like SmartSuite. As no-code tools evolve, so do the possibilities, and in 2024 onwards, SmartSuite stands as one of our favorites for its evolving capabilities.
Why Webhooks?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me invite you to our free general automation training. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, understanding the fundamentals of automation can transform how you work. You can register for our free training at GapConsulting.io.
Starting with SmartSuite Webhooks
Scenario: Data Enrichment for Prospective Clients
Imagine you have data about prospective clients—just a company name and website. You want to enrich this data with follower numbers and company type (public or private). This is where webhooks shine, allowing us to automate the enrichment process with an external API.
Step 1: Determining the Trigger
To start, you’ll need a trigger in SmartSuite. In our case, it’s a simple button that, when pressed, activates our automation process. Once pressed, it sends out a request to the API, asking for additional data about the company.
Setting Up Your Webhook Action
1. API Connection
- Destination: Identify where your request is sent. In our example, we’re using a service called Enrich, which provides company data. Input the static part of the API URL:
https://api.enrich.company - HTTP Method: Use the
GETmethod since we’re retrieving data.
2. Headers and Authorization
- You’ll need two headers:
- Authorization: Include a bearer token for security.
- Content-Type: Set this to
application/json.
Here’s a brief example of how your headers might look:
Authorization: Bearer Content-Type: application/json
3. URL Parameters
- Determine the parameters you’ll send. For our case, include:
name: Company namedomain: Company’s website domain
These parameters allow the API to return enriched data based on your input.
Receiving and Utilizing Data
When the API responds, it provides a wealth of information about the company. Our focus is on two elements:
- Followers (number)
- Type (text)
4. Break Down the Response
Now, let’s break down the response and extract the details we need. SmartSuite can process these details into usable data fields.
Updating Your Records
With the webhook successfully set up, the final steps involve updating your SmartSuite records based on the response.
- Update Followers and Company Type
- Reset the Toggle: Once the data is updated, reset the trigger toggle for future automations.
if (automationSuccess) {updateRecord(followers, companyType);resetToggle();}
Let’s Put It to the Test
Let’s test this setup with a well-known company like Disney. By toggling the update, the data enrichment begins.
- Expected Outcome: For Disney, we see 5.8 million followers and confirm it’s a public company. Similarly, you can check for Amazon and Google.
Keeping Track
SmartSuite provides a comprehensive history view allowing you to track both successful and failed automation attempts.
Benefits of Webhooks in SmartSuite:
“Webhooks in SmartSuite automate complex data interactions, providing seamless integration with external APIs.”
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Automation
Embracing webhook actions in SmartSuite empowers you to automate complex processes effortlessly. Whether you need real-time data enrichment or complex event-triggered workflows, webhooks provide the flexibility and power to achieve your goals.
If Smartsuite is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.
Credit: Original article published here.