n8n Tutorial for Beginners: How to Build AI Automations for FREE (Step-by-Step)

Summary

This video provides a beginner-friendly guide to using N8N, a powerful open-source automation platform, to build AI-driven workflows. It explains how to save 70–80% by self-hosting N8N on a VPS, navigate the platform, import pre-built templates, connect APIs, and create practical automations. Viewers follow a step-by-step example where form submissions are logged to Google Sheets, filtered by occupation, and trigger customized Gmail notifications. The guide emphasizes hands-on practice, branching logic, and using credentials, while highlighting resources, templates, and community support to help beginners efficiently create their own AI automations and optimize workflows for personal or business use.

Takeaways

• 😀 N8N is a free, open-source automation platform that allows building AI-focused workflows, similar to Zapier but with more flexibility.
• 😀 Self-hosting N8N on a VPS can save 70–80% compared to using N8N's cloud subscription plans.
• 😀 Hostinger VPS (KVM1 or KVM2) is recommended for hosting N8N, with longer subscription periods locking in lower prices.
• 😀 Installing N8N on a VPS involves selecting the N8N template, creating an owner account, and activating the community license key.
• 😀 The N8N interface includes three main tabs: Workflows (create and view workflows), Credentials (connect external apps/APIs), and Executions (monitor workflow runs).
• 😀 Templates on the N8N website provide pre-built workflows that can be imported to save time and learn how complex automations work.
• 😀 A simple example workflow includes: a form submission trigger, appending data to Google Sheets, filtering unwanted submissions, branching actions based on occupation, merging paths, and sending emails.
• 😀 Filters and switches in N8N allow for conditional logic and multiple workflow routes based on specific criteria.
• 😀 Pinning sample data during testing ensures that workflows can be repeatedly tested without re-entering information.
• 😀 Connecting multiple credentials (e.g., Gmail, Google Sheets, OpenAI) expands the functionality and automation potential of N8N workflows.
• 😀 The N8N community, forum, and Discord server are valuable resources for learning, troubleshooting, and discovering use cases.

Q & A

What is N8N and how does it compare to platforms like Zapier?

N8N is an open-source automation platform that allows users to build AI-driven workflows. Unlike Zapier, it is fully customizable, can be self-hosted, and does not require a subscription for basic usage.

What are the benefits of self-hosting N8N on a VPS?

Self-hosting N8N on a VPS allows users to save money on subscriptions, have full control over their workflows, and run automations continuously without relying on N8N's cloud service.

Which VPS options does the video recommend for hosting N8N?

The video recommends using KVM1 or KVM2 VPS plans, which are sufficient for most users. Hostinger is suggested as a cost-effective and reliable VPS provider.

What is the purpose of creating credentials in N8N?

Credentials in N8N connect the platform to external apps and APIs, allowing workflows to interact with services like Google Sheets, Gmail, and OpenAI.

How can beginners use N8N templates to save time?

Beginners can import pre-built automation templates from N8N's website, which come with instructions and required API keys, allowing them to quickly set up functional workflows without building from scratch.

How does the workflow in the video handle form submissions?

The workflow collects data from a form, updates a Google Sheet with the submitted information, filters submissions based on criteria (e.g., occupation), and sends emails to different leads depending on their role.

What role do filters and switches play in the workflow?

Filters allow the workflow to discard submissions that do not meet certain criteria (e.g., students), while switches create multiple paths for different types of users, enabling customized actions like sending different emails.

How does the workflow ensure that duplicate entries are not created in Google Sheets?

The workflow uses the email address as a matching column. If a submission comes from an existing email, it updates the existing row instead of creating a new one.

Why does the video emphasize testing workflows with pinned data?

Pinning data allows users to repeatedly test the workflow without re-entering information each time, making the debugging and development process more efficient.

What are the main benefits of using AI automations in business or daily life according to the video?

AI automations help optimize tasks, save time, reduce manual work, and increase efficiency in business processes and daily life by handling repetitive tasks automatically.

What additional resources does N8N provide for learning and support?

N8N offers a large community forum, a Discord server, use case guides, and tutorial videos that help users understand features and best practices for building workflows.

What is the recommended approach for beginners to learn N8N effectively?

Beginners should combine importing templates with building simple workflows themselves to understand how actions, triggers, and credentials work within N8N, ensuring practical learning and retention.