Unlocking Unlimited Automation Potential with Make.com’s HTTP Module

Automation has transformed how we work, making processes faster, more efficient, and—when done right—seamless. However, there’s a common limitation many face: most automation platforms rely on app databases, restricting your choices to pre-built integrations.

So, what do you do when the tool you need to integrate isn’t supported?

Let’s first examine the most popular integration platforms and their app directories:

• Zapier: 7,000+ apps
• Make: 1,900+ apps
• Integrately: 1,200+ apps
• Workato: 1,200+ apps
• IFTTT: 1,000+ apps

While these numbers are impressive, they barely scratch the surface of the tech landscape, which consists of over 100,000 software tools—and possibly even more than 250,000. The odds are high that the specific app you want to automate may not be listed.

Does this mean you should abandon your automation idea? Absolutely not.

This is where the HTTP module becomes your secret weapon. Think of it as a universal adapter for automation—it allows you to integrate any tool that has an API, even if it’s not listed in the platform’s app directory.

What is the HTTP Module?

For those unfamiliar with technical jargon, the HTTP module enables you to send and receive data from virtually any online service. It acts as a bridge between your automation platform and any tool that offers an API (Application Programming Interface). Essentially, if the tool has an API, the HTTP module lets you connect it to your automation workflows.

Example: Automating Slack with a Custom API

Let’s say you’re using a tool that tracks customer feedback but isn’t available on Make.com. You want to automatically send a Slack message every time new feedback is submitted. Here's how you can use the HTTP module to get that done:

1. Locate the Tool’s API: A quick Google search of “{{tool_name}} API documentation” will usually lead you to the instructions you need.
2. Set Up the HTTP Module in Make.com to monitor your customer feedback tool’s API. Using the HTTP module, you can create a webhook to "listen" for new feedback. This webhook will trigger an event in your Make.com workflow whenever new feedback is submitted.
3. Send the Data to Slack: Once the HTTP module receives the feedback data, set up an HTTP POST request to Slack’s API, which will allow you to send a message directly to your Slack channel. The payload could include customer comments, star ratings, and timestamps—all automatically sent.

In this case, even though your customer feedback tool wasn’t available on Make.com, you’ve just automated a process using the HTTP module!

Getting Started with the HTTP Module:

1. Find the API Documentation: Identify the API documentation for the tool you wish to integrate. This step will give you the specific endpoints and data required for the integration.
2. Simplify with AI Tools: Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline the setup. Paste the API documentation into the tool, explain what you want to achieve, and let AI walk you through the process. This makes the integration more intuitive, even for non-developers.
3. Configure in Make.com: Set up your HTTP module in Make.com. You’ll need to choose between GET or POST requests depending on whether you’re retrieving data (GET) or sending it (POST). Once configured, this setup can run automatically whenever you need it.

Example: Creating a Custom CRM Integration

Suppose you want to integrate a custom CRM tool to monitor leads and their status changes. Using the HTTP module, you can:

1. Monitor Lead Status: Send a GET request to your CRM’s API to pull lead status updates.
2. Update Airtable Automatically: Use the HTTP module to POST this data into Airtable or another database whenever a lead status changes.
3. Notify Your Team: Configure another HTTP module to send a Slack message or email when a high-priority lead moves to the next sales stage.

With this setup, you’ve just automated CRM updates and team notifications using nothing but the power of the HTTP module.

Why Bother Learning the HTTP Module?

Admittedly, working with APIs and the HTTP module requires a bit of a learning curve, but the long-term payoff is substantial. Mastering the HTTP module removes the limitations of using pre-built integrations, enabling you to automate any tool with an API, which greatly expands your options.

By learning to leverage APIs, you’re no longer confined to the apps listed on Make.com or any other platform. You can create custom, scalable automation solutions that work exactly how you need them to, regardless of whether an integration exists.

Final Words

Automation is evolving, and with tools like Make.com’s HTTP module, you’re not limited to built-in integrations anymore. The world of possibilities is vast—and by mastering the HTTP module, you unlock the potential to automate any workflow, scale any process, and innovate without boundaries.