Smart automation with Make.com
Make.com is a visual automation platform that lets you connect apps, design workflows, and streamline repetitive tasks without writing code. This guide walks you through the core concepts and practical steps to build reliable task automations from scratch, based on the official how-to material.
Key building blocks in Make.com scenarios
Before you start automating, it is crucial to understand the main components you will use when designing scenarios in Make.com. Each scenario is built from modules that pass data along a route according to clearly defined rules.
Modules in Make.com
Modules are the individual blocks that perform work inside your scenario. They can:
- Receive data from an app or service
- Process, format, or transform information
- Send data to another app or service
Typical module types include:
- Triggers — start the scenario when something happens (for example, a new form submission).
- Actions — create, update, or retrieve data in connected apps.
- Searches — find matching records and return bundles of data.
Data structure and bundles
In Make.com, every piece of information that moves through a scenario is organized into a bundle. A bundle is a collection of items and fields coming from a module output.
- Items — the objects you process, such as contacts, tickets, or rows.
- Fields — properties of each item, such as name, email, status, or date.
Modules pass bundles along the route, and each following module can read or modify fields as needed.
How to design a scenario in Make.com
Effective task automation starts with clear planning. Before adding modules, map out what you want to achieve and how information should flow through Make.com.
Step 1: Define the automation goal
Clarify the objective of your scenario. For example:
- Sync new leads from a form to your CRM
- Create support tickets from incoming emails
- Generate reports at a scheduled time
Write down the trigger event, the apps involved, and the final outcome you expect.
Step 2: Choose the trigger module in Make.com
Every scenario starts with a trigger. In Make.com you can choose from several trigger types:
- Webhook — listen for incoming requests from external systems.
- Event-based triggers — start when something changes in a connected app.
- Scheduled triggers — run at fixed times or intervals.
Configure the trigger with the correct connection, resource, and conditions so that only relevant events start the scenario.
Step 3: Add action modules
After defining how the automation starts, add action modules to perform the work. Common patterns include:
- Creating or updating records in a CRM or helpdesk
- Sending email or chat notifications to a team
- Logging data into spreadsheets or databases
Use the output fields from the trigger as inputs for the action fields, and map them carefully to avoid missing or incorrect data.
Working with filters and routes in Make.com
Real-world processes rarely follow a single straight path. Make.com lets you create conditional logic using filters and multiple routes so that different bundles follow different actions.
Filters on scenario routes
Filters define which bundles can pass from one module to the next.
- You set a logical condition, such as status equals new or amount is greater than a threshold.
- Only bundles that meet the condition continue along that route.
- Bundles that do not match are stopped on that route and can be processed elsewhere.
Filters help you reduce noise, avoid unnecessary operations, and keep scenarios focused on relevant tasks.
Parallel and conditional routing in Make.com
You can branch your scenario into several routes after a module:
- Parallel routes — process the same bundle in different ways at the same time, for example, log data and send a notification.
- Conditional routes — send bundles to different paths depending on filter conditions.
Designing clear routing logic helps maintain transparency and makes troubleshooting much easier.
Iterations and arrays in Make.com
Many apps provide data in collections, such as a list of line items on an invoice or multiple attachments in a message. Make.com offers dedicated tools to work with such arrays.
Using array aggregators
An aggregator module collects multiple bundles and organizes them into a single array. This is useful when you need to consolidate information before performing an action, for example:
- Combining several records into a summary email
- Creating a single invoice from multiple orders
- Building a batch update for a database
You can specify how the array should be structured and which fields to include.
Using iterators for repeated processing
An iterator module does the opposite of an aggregator. It takes one bundle containing an array and turns each item in the array into its own bundle.
- Each item is processed separately by the following modules.
- You can add filters and actions that apply to each individual element.
- This allows fine-grained control over repeated tasks, such as looping through all products in an order.
By combining aggregators and iterators in Make.com, you can handle complex multi-item data structures with precision.
Best practices for reliable Make.com automations
To keep your workflows efficient and maintainable, follow these best practices when designing scenarios.
Plan and document your scenario
Outline the main steps on paper or in a diagram before building. Define:
- The trigger event and source app
- Key actions and target apps
- Conditional branches and exception paths
Clear documentation helps you and your team understand how Make.com scenarios are meant to behave over time.
Use clear naming and comments
Give modules descriptive names so you can quickly see what each step does. Where necessary, add comments or notes that explain:
- Why a specific filter condition exists
- What data a module is expected to receive
- Known limitations or assumptions
Test modules with sample data
Use the built-in testing tools to run modules with example bundles:
- Verify that mapped fields contain the expected values.
- Check that filters pass or stop bundles correctly.
- Confirm that iterators and aggregators are handling arrays as intended.
Gradual testing reduces errors when you turn the scenario on in Make.com.
Monitor, optimize, and scale
Once a scenario is live:
- Review execution history and logs.
- Look for repeated errors or bottlenecks.
- Optimize filters, mapping, and module placement to reduce unnecessary operations.
Well maintained automation remains reliable as your data volume and app ecosystem grow.
Learning more about Make.com automation
This how-to overview is based on the official task automation guide for Make.com. You can find the original resource and additional examples on the vendor site.
By following these concepts and best practices, you can confidently design, build, and improve automated workflows that connect your tools and remove manual work using Make.com.
Need Help With Make.com?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Make scenarios, work with ConsultEvo — certified workflow and automation specialists.