Module 8 Lesson 3: Pipedrive & Salesforce
Enterprise and agile. Learn the specific nuances of automating Salesforce and Pipedrive, focusing on custom objects, lead conversion, and pipeline management.
Module 8 Lesson 3: Pipedrive & Salesforce
While HubSpot is popular, many large companies use Salesforce (for power/customization) or Pipedrive (for sales-focused simplicity). n8n handles both with native nodes.
1. Pipedrive: The Lean CRM
Pipedrive is famous for its visual "Pipe."
- Favorite Logic: When an activity (like a Call) is marked as "Done," automatically move the Deal to the next Stage.
- n8n Tip: Use the "Activity" trigger to listen for finished calls and immediately draft a "Follow-up" email in Gmail (Review Module 7).
2. Salesforce: The Heavyweight
Salesforce is massive. Every company uses it differently.
- Custom Objects: You aren't limited to "Contacts." You can automate your company's custom
BoatInvontory__corSolarPanelProject__cusing the "Custom Object" operation in n8n. - OData and SOSL: You can run complex Salesforce queries (SOQL) directly from the n8n node to find exactly the data you need.
3. The CRM "Hand-off"
A common pattern is using n8n as the "Middleman" between a marketing CRM and a sales CRM.
- "If a lead becomes 'High Quality' in HubSpot, create a 'Lead' record in Salesforce for the enterprise team to handle."
4. Handling Large Datasets in Salesforce
Salesforce has strict API limits.
- The Strategy: Use Split In Batches (Module 5, Lesson 2) to ensure you don't burn through your entire daily API allowance in one single n8n run.
Exercise: The CRM Multi-tool
- Research: What is SOQL?
- In Pipedrive, what is the difference between a 'Person' and an 'Organization'? How would you link them in n8n?
- Imagine you want to migrate 500 contacts from Pipedrive to Salesforce. Write down the 5 steps you would take.
- Why is Salesforce's "Sandboxes" feature important for n8n testing?
- Search: How do you "Convert a Lead" into a "Contact" automatically in Salesforce?
Summary
Whether you are using a sleek tool like Pipedrive or a complex ecosystem like Salesforce, n8n remains your "Universal Interface." By mastering these CRM-specific nodes, you bridge the gap between sales activity and technical automation.
Next Lesson: Intelligence boost: Enriching Data with external APIs (Clearbit, Hunter).