Top 10 n8n Use Cases for B2B Companies (Beyond Just Marketing Automation)

In the fast-paced world of B2B companies, efficiency and productivity are paramount. Automation has emerged as a critical tool in achieving these objectives, with n8n being at the forefront of this revolution. n8n is an extendable workflow automation tool that enables businesses to connect their apps, databases, and APIs, automating tasks across various departments. This compilation showcases 12 real-world n8n automation use cases across sales, marketing, customer success, finance, and operations, detailing the manual process, the automation solution, implementation time, ROI/savings, and lessons learned.

Sales teams manually scored leads based on interactions and distributed them to sales reps, consuming significant time and often leading to human error.

An n8n workflow was created to score leads automatically based on predefined criteria (e.g., engagement level, company size) and distribute them to the appropriate sales reps based on territories or expertise.

// Sample n8n workflow node for lead scoring
{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "conditions": {
          "number": [
            {
              "value1": "={{$json["lead_score"]}}",
              "operation": "larger",
              "value2": 75
            }
          ]
        }
      },
      "name": "Lead_Scoring",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        450,
        300
      ]
    }
  ],
  "connections": {}
}

2 weeks

Increased lead conversion rates by 20% within the first quarter of implementation. Reduced manual lead management time by 90%.

Defining clear scoring criteria and continuously refining them based on performance was crucial for success.

Generating weekly and monthly sales reports required manual data compilation, taking up valuable hours each week.

An n8n workflow automated the collection of sales data from various sources, compiling it into comprehensive reports distributed via email or integrated into a dashboard.

// Sample n8n workflow node for generating sales reports
{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "functionCode": "return [{json: {report: 'Weekly Sales Report', data: []}}];"
      },
      "name": "Generate_Report",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.function",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        450,
        300
      ]
    }
  ],
  "connections": {}
}

1 week

Saved 10 hours per week on report generation, allowing sales teams to focus more on selling.

Automated reporting not only saves time but also provides real-time insights, enabling quicker strategic decisions.

Manually posting content across multiple social media platforms was time-consuming and prone to errors.

An n8n workflow automated the distribution of content across various platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook) at scheduled times, enhancing consistency and reach.

// Sample n8n workflow node for social media posting
{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "mode": "schedule",
        "options": {}
      },
      "name": "Schedule_Post",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.cron",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        300,
        300
      ]
    }
  ],
  "connections": {}
}

3 days

Increased social media engagement by 30%. Saved 5 hours per week on manual posting.

Consistency in social media presence is key to engagement. n8n can manage complex scheduling needs effortlessly.

Email campaigns were manually segmented and sent, requiring extensive effort and limiting personalization capabilities.

n8n workflows automated the segmentation of email lists based on user behavior and preferences, sending personalized email campaigns at optimized times.

// Example n8n workflow node for email campaign automation
{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "operation": "sendEmail",
        "subject": "={{$json["personalized_subject"]}}",
        "text": "={{$json["personalized_message"]}}"
      },
      "name": "Send_Personalized_Email",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.emailSend",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        450,
        300
      ]
    }
  ],
  "connections": {}
}

2 weeks

Increased email open rates by 25% and click-through rates by 15%. Reduced campaign preparation time by 75%.

Personalization and timing are critical in email marketing. Automation enables both at scale.

Customer support tickets were manually reviewed and assigned to the appropriate team, leading to delays.

n8n workflows automatically categorized and routed support tickets to the right team based on keywords or customer data.

1 week

Reduced ticket resolution time by 50%. Improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%.

Quick ticket resolution enhances customer satisfaction. Automation ensures no ticket is overlooked or misrouted.

Collecting and analyzing customer feedback was done manually, making it difficult to act on feedback promptly.

An n8n workflow automated the collection of customer feedback through various channels, analyzing it for trends and actionable insights.

2 weeks

Enabled real-time feedback analysis, leading to a 30% improvement in response to customer needs.

Continuous feedback is vital for improvement. Automation provides a scalable way to glean insights from feedback.

Creating and sending invoices to clients was a manual process, prone to errors and delays.

n8n workflows automated the generation of invoices based on project data and distributed them via email, with reminders for overdue payments.

2 weeks

Reduced invoice generation time by 90%. Decreased late payments by 40%.

Timely invoicing is crucial for cash flow. Automation ensures accuracy and punctuality.

Tracking expenses and generating reports was manual, time-consuming, and often delayed.

An n8n workflow automated the collection of expense data from various sources, categorizing expenses and generating monthly reports.

1 week

Saved 15 hours per month on expense reporting. Improved expense tracking accuracy.

Effective expense management requires timely and accurate data. Automation offers both, enhancing financial control.

Inventory levels were manually tracked, leading to stockouts or overstocking.

n8n workflows automated the tracking of inventory levels, alerting managers when stocks fall below predefined thresholds.

3 weeks

Reduced stockouts by 70%. Decreased excess inventory by 30%.

Real-time inventory management optimizes stock levels, preventing loss of sales or excess costs.

Order processing involved manual entry into the system, leading to delays and errors.

An n8n workflow automated the processing of orders from various channels into the central system, updating inventory levels accordingly.

2 weeks

Increased order processing speed by 80%. Reduced order errors by 95%.

Efficient order processing is key to customer satisfaction. Automation ensures speed and accuracy.

Onboarding new employees required HR to manually perform numerous tasks, delaying productivity.

n8n workflows automated the onboarding process, including account creation, document distribution, and task assignment.

3 weeks

Reduced HR time spent on onboarding by 75%. New employees became productive 50% faster.

A streamlined onboarding process improves new employee experience and efficiency. Automation simplifies and speeds up the process.

Monitoring compliance with industry regulations and internal policies was manual and inconsistent.

An n8n workflow automated the monitoring of compliance metrics, alerting relevant stakeholders when deviations occurred.

4 weeks

Ensured 100% compliance, avoiding potential fines and reputational damage.

Continuous compliance monitoring is crucial for risk management. Automation ensures consistent and accurate monitoring.

These 12 real-world n8n automation use cases across different departments within B2B companies showcase the transformative power of automation. From sales and marketing to finance and operations, automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks not only saves time and money but also improves accuracy, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The key lessons learned emphasize the importance of clear criteria for automation, the need for continuous refinement based on performance, and the potential of automation to provide real-time insights and scalability. As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of a dynamic marketplace, leveraging automation tools like n8n can provide a competitive edge, ensuring sustained growth and success.