In the era of digitalization, automating workflows is the key to saving time and enhancing efficiency. Among numerous automation tools available today, n8n (short for Nodemation or "Node for Node") stands out as a powerful choice for individuals and businesses.

Deep Process Automation with n8n: Detailed Installation and Usage Guide

In the era of digitalization, automating workflows is key to saving time and improving efficiency. Among the many automation tools available today, n8n (short for Nodemation or "Node for Node") stands out as a powerful choice for individuals and businesses.

A. Introduction to n8n - An Open-Source Automation Platform

1. What is n8n?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that allows integration with over 350 applications, such as Google Sheets, Slack, Discord, Facebook, GitHub, and many other services. Notably, unlike other paid platforms, n8n does not limit the number of workflows, steps, or automated actions.

Unlike closed automation tools like Zapier or Make, n8n enables users to store and operate data on their own servers, ensuring maximum flexibility, privacy, and security.

2. How n8n Works

2.1. Operating Principle

The core of n8n operates on a "Node-based" model. Each node represents a distinct action: retrieving data, processing data, sending notifications, calling APIs, etc. These nodes are connected to form a complete workflow, enabling the automation of tasks from simple to complex.

n8n supports various triggering methods: manual activation, scheduled triggers (Schedule), webhooks (receiving external data), or event-based triggers.

Additionally, you can add conditions (If) to make workflows more flexible based on the received data. Another strength is its ability to manage complex data flows with nodes like SplitInBatches, Set, or Loop.

2.2. Workflow Process

The general process of using n8n includes:

• Initialization: Users create a new workflow and add a trigger node (e.g., receiving data from a webhook or on a schedule).
• Drag-and-Drop Nodes: Add processing nodes (e.g., saving data to Google Sheets, sending emails, updating CRM, etc.).
• Configure Logic: Set up conditions, loops, or branching logic if needed.
• Test and Verify: Test the workflow to ensure its accuracy.
• Activate Automation: Once complete, activate the workflow for automatic operation.

By operating flexibly with individual nodes, n8n allows easy modification, expansion, or adjustment of processes without affecting the entire system, making it ideal for small and medium-sized businesses looking to optimize daily operations.

3. Benefits of Using n8n

3.1. Cost Savings

Being open-source, n8n allows users to self-host, eliminating the need to pay fees based on the number of workflows or activations, as with other SaaS tools. This is particularly beneficial for startups or mid-sized businesses aiming to save costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

3.2. Security and Control

All data is stored on private servers, ensuring absolute privacy and information security. This is a critical factor for industries like finance, healthcare, or any sector with high security standards.

3.3. Flexible Customization

You can insert custom code using JavaScript to design highly complex workflows, which many closed platforms do not allow. This enables n8n to handle not only simple needs but also scale for complex, multi-system business processes.

3.4. Strong Community Support

With a large developer community, you can easily find plugins, sample workflows, and receive quick support from other members. Additionally, n8n’s official documentation is regularly updated and beginner-friendly.

4. Applications of n8n

4.1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Automatically add leads to CRM from website forms, send nurturing emails, and tag users based on their behavior. Additionally, automatically assign leads to sales staff based on geographic location or customer behavior.

4.2. Marketing Automation

• Send automated marketing emails based on user behavior (e.g., abandoned carts).
• Manage Facebook/Google ad campaigns from a centralized dashboard.
• Filter and segment customer data based on interaction history.
• Trigger personalized promotions for specific customer segments.

4.3. IT Operations

• Monitor server uptime with downtime alerts via Telegram.
• Automatically back up data daily to AWS S3 or Google Drive.
• Synchronize system logs to a centralized data storage for analysis and security monitoring.

4.4. E-commerce

• Sync orders from Shopify/WooCommerce to Google Sheets for order analysis.
• Automatically send electronic invoices to customers after each successful order.
• Integrate automated customer support chatbots on platforms like Facebook Messenger, Zalo, and Telegram.

B. Installation and Usage of n8n

5. Installation Methods

System Requirements:

First, you’ll need a VPS with the following minimum specifications:

• vCPU: 4 cores
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 30GB

In addition to the affordable VPS TOT K44 package at just 270K, TotHost has recently launched the VPS TOT M44n package with suitable specs, pre-installed with n8n for immediate use without complicated setup. Specially, with your first order using the code HITOT, you’ll get an additional 20% discount.

There are several ways to install n8n depending on your needs:

5.1. Purchase VPS TOT M44n and Do Nothing

The TOT M44n comes pre-installed with n8n, so you can start using it immediately after purchase. Additionally, other packages in the VPS TOT M and TOT Duo (TOT D) series also support templates, requiring only a few simple steps as shown in the video below to get started.

Detailed Installation Tutorial Video:

In the SSH Browser (SFTP) section:

• Enter the command: ls -la -> press enter
• Enter the command: chmod +x install_n8n.sh -> press enter
• Enter the command: ./install_n8n.sh -> press enter

5.2. Install Using Docker (Recommended)

Step 1: First, install Docker Desktop (Windows/macOS) or Docker Engine (Linux).

Step 2: Next, run the following command to start n8n:

docker run -it --rm -p 5678:5678 n8nio/n8n

Advantages: fast, easy to manage, easy to migrate.

5.3. Install Using Node.js (npm)

Step 1: Install Node.js (which includes npm) from the official website: https://nodejs.org/en.

Step 2: Next, install n8n with the following command:

npm install -g n8n

Step 3: After installation, start n8n with the command:

n8n

Step 4: Access the interface at http://localhost:5678.

Advantages: easy to customize, suitable for developers needing deep automation.

5.4. Use n8n Cloud Service

• No server setup required.
• Register an account at n8n.io and deploy workflows immediately.
• Suitable for small businesses and marketing teams.

6. How to Use n8n

To use n8n effectively, follow this basic process:

Step 1: Access the Management Interface

• If you installed n8n locally, access it at http://localhost:5678.
• If using n8n Cloud, log in to your account at n8n.io.

Step 2: Create a New Workflow

• Select "New Workflow" to start building an automated process.

Step 3: Add a Trigger Node

• Choose the appropriate trigger type: Manual Trigger, Webhook, Cron Job, or from external services.

Step 4: Build the Workflow

• Add action nodes: for example, retrieve data from Google Sheets, send emails with SendGrid, or post to Twitter automatically.
• Connect the nodes in the correct processing sequence.

Step 5: Configure Details

• Configure each node with API Key, Field Mapping, or Validation Rules as needed.

Step 6: Test and Debug

• Use the Execute Node mode to test each part.
• Check the data logs to ensure proper operation.

Step 7: Activate the Workflow

• Enable "Active" to allow the workflow to run automatically based on the configured trigger.

7. Notes for Deploying n8n

• Secure Environment Variable Management: Use a .env file to store sensitive variables like API Key, Token, or Database URL. Avoid hardcoding them directly into nodes.

Example environment variables:

N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=password

• Regular System Backups: Regularly back up the n8n database, configuration files, and established workflows to enable quick recovery in case of server issues.
• Secure Webhooks and API Connections: Use token authentication for webhooks; whitelist IPs for requests; set up a firewall and restrict access.
• Monitor Performance and System Logs: Use Grafana or Prometheus to monitor performance; log all errors to quickly detect issues.
• Periodic Upgrades: n8n frequently updates to add new features and fix security vulnerabilities. Check and upgrade n8n every 1-2 months.

In conclusion, with its powerful automation capabilities, high flexibility, and extensive community support, n8n is a top choice for those looking to optimize workflows, increase productivity, and reduce operational costs.

Start building your first workflows today and experience the difference automation can bring!