Zapier, Make, n8n vs Direct GHL API: How to Decide

Trigger: GoHighLevel - New Contact
  Connection: YOUR_GHL_ACCOUNT

Filter (optional): Only continue if tags contains "qualified"

Action: Google Sheets - Create Spreadsheet Row
  Spreadsheet: Lead Tracker
  Sheet: Contacts
  Fields:
    - First Name: {{contact.firstName}}
    - Last Name: {{contact.lastName}}
    - Email: {{contact.email}}
    - Phone: {{contact.phone}}
    - Date Added: {{contact.dateAdded}}

Trigger: GoHighLevel - Watch Opportunities
  Filter: status = "won"

Router:
  Branch 1 (always):
    Action: Slack - Create a Message
      Channel: #sales-wins
      Message: "New win: {{opportunity.name}} - USD {{opportunity.monetaryValue}}"

  Branch 2 (if monetaryValue > 1000):
    Action: QuickBooks - Create Invoice
      Customer: {{contact.firstName}} {{contact.lastName}}
      Email: {{contact.email}}
      Amount: {{opportunity.monetaryValue}}

export async function POST(req) {
  const body = await req.json();
  const { name, email, phone, source } = body;

  // 1. Validate input
  if (!email && !phone) {
    return Response.json({ error: 'Email or phone required' }, { status: 400 });
  }

  // 2. Create GHL contact
  const ghlRes = await fetch('https://services.leadconnectorhq.com/contacts', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.GHL_TOKEN}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      Version: '2021-07-28',
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      locationId: process.env.GHL_LOCATION_ID,
      email,
      phone,
      firstName: name?.split(' ')[0],
      lastName: name?.split(' ').slice(1).join(' '),
      source,
      tags: ['form-lead'],
    }),
  });

  if (!ghlRes.ok) {
    const err = await ghlRes.text();
    console.error('GHL error:', err);
    return Response.json({ error: 'Failed to create contact' }, { status: 500 });
  }

  const { contact } = await ghlRes.json();

  // 3. Notify Slack
  await fetch(process.env.SLACK_WEBHOOK_URL, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      text: `New lead from ${source}: ${name} (${email})`,
    }),
  });

  return Response.json({ contactId: contact.id });
}

import os
import requests
from fastapi import FastAPI
from pydantic import BaseModel

app = FastAPI()
GHL_TOKEN = os.environ["GHL_TOKEN"]
GHL_LOCATION_ID = os.environ["GHL_LOCATION_ID"]
SLACK_WEBHOOK = os.environ["SLACK_WEBHOOK_URL"]

class LeadForm(BaseModel):
    name: str
    email: str | None = None
    phone: str | None = None
    source: str = "website"

@app.post("/submit-lead")
def submit_lead(form: LeadForm):
    if not form.email and not form.phone:
        return {"error": "Email or phone required"}, 400

    parts = form.name.split(" ", 1)
    ghl_res = requests.post(
        "https://services.leadconnectorhq.com/contacts",
        headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {GHL_TOKEN}", "Version": "2021-07-28"},
        json={
            "locationId": GHL_LOCATION_ID,
            "email": form.email,
            "phone": form.phone,
            "firstName": parts[0],
            "lastName": parts[1] if len(parts) > 1 else "",
            "tags": ["form-lead"],
        },
    )
    ghl_res.raise_for_status()
    contact_id = ghl_res.json()["contact"]["id"]

    requests.post(SLACK_WEBHOOK, json={"text": f"New lead: {form.name} ({form.email})"})
    return {"contactId": contact_id}

{
  "name": "route_integration_decision",
  "description": "Given a GoHighLevel integration requirement, recommend whether to use Zapier, Make, n8n, or direct API calls.",
  "inputSchema": {
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "monthlyRunVolume": { "type": "number", "description": "Expected runs per month" },
      "technicalLevel": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": ["non-technical", "some-code", "full-code"]
      },
      "needsWebhookVerification": { "type": "boolean" },
      "selfHosted": { "type": "boolean" }
    },
    "required": ["monthlyRunVolume", "technicalLevel"]
  }
}