How To Automate Sales With Free Hubspot Alternatives [2026]

Time required: 30 minutes

You’re tired of manually managing your sales process, and you want to find a way to automate it without breaking the bank. You’ve heard of hubspot, but you’re not ready to commit to their pricing, which starts at $45 per month as of 2026. You’re looking for free alternatives to help you streamline your sales process.

Step 1

To get started, you’ll need to sign up for Zapier, a popular automation tool that integrates with many different apps. When you click on the sign-up button, you’ll be taken to a page where you can enter your email address and choose a password. You’ll also be asked to provide some basic information about your business.

Step 2

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be taken to the Zapier dashboard, where you’ll see a list of popular apps that you can connect to. You’ll also see a button that says “Make a Zap,” which is where you’ll start the automation process. Click on this button to get started. Pro tip: Take some time to explore the different apps that Zapier integrates with, as this will help you get a sense of what’s possible.

Step 3

When you click on the “Make a Zap” button, you’ll be taken to a page where you can choose the trigger for your automation. The trigger is the event that will start the automation process. For example, you might choose to trigger your automation when a new contact is added to your email list. You’ll see a list of different apps that you can choose from, and you’ll need to select the one that you want to use.

Step 4

Once you’ve chosen your trigger, you’ll be asked to connect your account to Zapier. This will involve entering your login credentials and authorizing Zapier to access your account. Don’t worry, Zapier uses secure protocols to protect your data. When you’ve connected your account, you’ll be taken to a page where you can customize the trigger.

Step 5

When you’ve customized your trigger, you’ll be asked to choose an action. The action is the event that will be triggered by the automation. For example, you might choose to send a follow-up email to new contacts. You’ll see a list of different apps that you can choose from, and you’ll need to select the one that you want to use.

Step 6

Once you’ve chosen your action, you’ll be asked to connect your account to Zapier, just like you did in step 4. When you’ve connected your account, you’ll be taken to a page where you can customize the action. Pro tip: Use the filtering options to customize your automation and make sure that it only triggers when you want it to.

Step 7

When you’ve customized your action, you’ll be taken to a page where you can test your automation. This is an important step, as it will help you make sure that everything is working correctly. When you’ve tested your automation, you can turn it on and let it run.

Pro tip: Use the analytics tools to track the performance of your automation and make adjustments as needed. This will help you optimize your sales process and get the most out of your automation.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake that people make when automating their sales process is not customizing their triggers and actions. This can lead to automations that don’t work as intended, or that trigger too many times. To avoid this, make sure to take the time to customize your triggers and actions, and use the filtering options to fine-tune your automation.

Troubleshooting

Here are a few common problems that you might encounter when automating your sales process, along with their fixes:

1. Automation not triggering: If your automation is not triggering, check to make sure that the trigger is set up correctly and that the account is connected to Zapier. Also, check the filtering options to make sure that they are not too restrictive.
2. Automation triggering too many times: If your automation is triggering too many times, check the filtering options and adjust them to make sure that the automation only triggers when you want it to.
3. Error messages: If you’re getting error messages when you test your automation, check to make sure that the accounts are connected correctly and that the trigger and action are set up correctly.

What to Do Next

Now that you’ve automated your sales process with Zapier, you can focus on other areas of your business. Consider exploring other automation tools, such as email marketing automation or social media automation. You can also use Zapier to automate other areas of your business, such as customer support or accounting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is sales automation?

Sales automation is the use of technology to automate repetitive sales tasks, such as follow-up emails or data entry. This can help you save time and increase productivity, and can also help you personalize your sales process and improve customer engagement.

How much does Zapier cost?

As of 2026, Zapier offers a free plan, as well as several paid plans that start at $19.99 per month. The free plan includes access to over 500 apps, as well as the ability to create up to 5 zaps.

Can I use Zapier with other automation tools?

Yes, you can use Zapier with other automation tools, such as email marketing automation or social media automation. This can help you create a comprehensive automation strategy that covers all areas of your business.

Is Zapier secure?

Yes, Zapier is secure. They use secure protocols to protect your data, and they are compliant with all major security standards. You can also use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account.