How to Use Make.com for Visual Automation

Learning how to use make.com step by step will help you design, build, and manage powerful automations without code, while understanding how it compares to platforms like Workato.

This how-to guide is based on the comparison information shared in the official make.com vs Workato article and turns it into clear, actionable instructions.

What You Need Before Using Make.com

Before you start, gather a few basics so you can follow this tutorial smoothly.

• A clear business process you want to automate (for example, syncing leads from a form to your CRM).
• Accounts for the apps you plan to connect (such as a CRM, help desk, or marketing tool).
• Access to make.com in your browser.
• Optional: a short list of triggers and actions you want to automate.

Getting Started With Make.com

The core of make.com is a visual interface where you connect apps together into workflows called scenarios. Follow these steps to get started.

Step 1: Sign in and Explore the Make.com Dashboard

1. Open your browser and sign in to your make.com account.
2. From the main dashboard, locate the area where your scenarios are listed.
3. Review any templates or examples provided, as they can help you understand standard patterns used across tools like Workato.

The dashboard is designed for teams who want a flexible, visual environment rather than a rigid, traditional iPaaS layout.

Step 2: Create a New Scenario in Make.com

1. Click the button to create a new scenario.
2. You will see a blank canvas. This is where you visually build your workflow.
3. Confirm that the scenario is empty and ready for your first module.

Each scenario in make.com is a self-contained automation. You can build anything from simple data syncs to complex, multi-step logic flows.

Building Your First Make.com Scenario

Once the canvas is open, you can start assembling a scenario using drag-and-drop modules.

Step 3: Add a Trigger Module in Make.com

1. Click the plus icon on the canvas.
2. Search for the app that will start your workflow (for example, a form, CRM, or ticketing tool).
3. Select a trigger event, such as “New record created” or “Form submitted”.
4. Authorize the connection to your app if prompted.

In make.com, the trigger defines when the scenario runs. This is similar to how triggers work in Workato and other iPaaS tools.

Step 4: Add Action Modules

1. Click the plus icon next to your trigger module.
2. Choose the target app that should receive data or perform an action.
3. Select the desired action, for example:

• Create or update a record in your CRM.
• Send a message to a collaboration tool.
• Update a ticket in a support system.

4. Map fields from the trigger to the action (e.g., form name to contact name, email field to email address).

The visual editor of make.com lets you see how data flows between apps. This approach is highlighted as a key differentiator against Workato’s more form-based style.

Step 5: Add Logic and Branching in Make.com

To move beyond simple automations, you can introduce logic modules.

1. Click the plus icon between modules on the canvas.
2. Select tools such as routers, filters, or conditional logic.
3. Configure conditions like:

• Only continue if a lead meets a certain score.
• Route high-priority requests to a dedicated support queue.
• Skip or repeat certain steps based on field values.

Because make.com is built as a visual platform, you can see each branch on the canvas and adjust it as your process evolves.

Testing and Running Your Make.com Scenario

After building your workflow, test it carefully before putting it into full production.

Step 6: Test Your Scenario in Make.com

1. Use the run once feature to execute the scenario manually.
2. Trigger the starting event (for example, submit a test form or create a test ticket).
3. Watch the execution in real time to confirm each module runs as expected.
4. Inspect logs or output data to verify correct field mapping.

This visual testing flow in make.com helps technical and non-technical users diagnose problems much faster than with more rigid, code-heavy tools.

Step 7: Schedule or Activate Your Scenario

1. Open the scenario settings.
2. Choose whether the scenario should run on a schedule, in near real time, or in response to each event.
3. Enable the scenario so it becomes active.
4. Monitor the first few live runs to ensure performance and reliability.

Compared to Workato’s approach, make.com emphasizes flexibility in how and when automations run, allowing teams to adapt quickly as requirements change.

How Make.com Compares to Workato in Daily Use

The source comparison shows that these two tools serve similar goals but differ in important ways. Use these insights to choose and configure your stack wisely.

Make.com vs Workato: Visual Experience

• Make.com centers on a visual canvas where you drag, drop, and connect modules in a scenario.
• Workato leans more on a form-based approach with a traditional iPaaS layout.
• If your team prefers an intuitive, map-like view of processes, make.com often feels more approachable.

Make.com vs Workato: Flexibility and Ownership

• Both platforms support complex automations, but make.com highlights creative, experiment-friendly building.
• Teams can quickly iterate, clone scenarios, and adapt them without heavy engineering support.
• This flexibility is particularly useful when experimenting with new digital workflows or scaling up a growing automation practice.

Make.com vs Workato: Pricing and Adoption

The original comparison explains how pricing structures and target audiences differ. While specifics can change over time, you can use a few guiding questions:

• What volume of tasks or operations do you run each month?
• How many team members need access?
• Do you prioritize ease of experimentation, or strict enterprise governance first?

By mapping these questions to the capabilities described for make.com and Workato, you can determine which mix of tools is best for your organization.

Best Practices When Building With Make.com

To keep your automations reliable and scalable, apply a few simple practices while working in make.com.

• Name scenarios clearly: Use descriptive titles indicating trigger, main action, and target system.
• Group scenarios by function: Separate marketing, sales, support, and operations workflows.
• Document key logic: Add notes to complex branches so other team members can understand them.
• Monitor regularly: Review logs and performance, especially after app updates or process changes.

These habits will help teams maintain a growing library of automations in make.com without confusion or duplication.

Where to Learn More About Make.com

To deepen your knowledge, start with authoritative resources and specialized consultants.

• Read the original comparison article on make.com vs Workato to understand strategic differences.
• Work with experienced automation consultants, such as those at Consultevo, to design and scale advanced scenarios.

By combining hands-on practice in make.com with expert guidance and official resources, you can quickly move from simple tasks to sophisticated, cross-team automations.

Next Steps

You now know how to sign in, create a scenario, add triggers and actions, test your work, and understand how make.com compares to Workato in everyday use. Start by automating a single, small process, then gradually expand your scenarios as confidence grows.

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.

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