n8n workflows a small business can use this week

n8n is a workflow tool: you connect apps with boxes and arrows, and it runs the steps for you. Here are four starter workflows.

1. New inquiry, instant reply

When someone fills your website form, send them a confirmation and notify your team in chat. Response time drops from hours to seconds.

Every evening, pull the day's orders, total them, and message the owner a short summary. No more end-of-month spreadsheet rebuilds.

Check unpaid invoices each morning and send a polite reminder to anyone past due, with the amount and how to pay.

When an item falls below your threshold, alert the person who reorders it, with the supplier and last order quantity.

Start with one workflow and run it for a week before adding more.
Add an error notification so you know when a step fails.
Keep secrets such as API keys in the tool's credential store, never inside a workflow note.

What is n8n used for?

n8n connects apps and runs steps for you, for example replying to a form, summarizing sales or sending payment reminders, without custom code.

How many workflows should I start with?

One. Run it for a week, add error notifications, then add the next.