You can connect Zoho CRM to your WhatsApp workflows using the Workflow Builder, no code required. Use triggers to react to changes in Zoho and actions to create or update Zoho records automatically.
Triggers start a workflow when something changes in Zoho CRM:
Watch Contacts - fires when a contact is created or updated
Watch Leads - fires when a lead is created or updated
Watch Accounts - fires when an account is created or updated
Watch Deals - fires when a deal is created or updated (including stage changes)
Watch Tasks - fires when a task is created or updated
Watch Notes - fires when a note is created or updated
Actions let your workflow write data back to Zoho CRM.
Each action works across the main Zoho modules: Contacts, Leads, Accounts, Deals, Tasks, and Notes.
Create Record - create a new record in the selected module
Update Record - update an existing record (for example, flip a custom field when a customer replies)
Search Record - find records by field values (email, phone, deal name, etc.)
Get Record by ID - retrieve a specific record by its ID
Example Workflows:
WhatsApp → Zoho: An incoming WhatsApp message triggers a workflow that finds or creates a Zoho Contact and adds a Note with the message details.
Zoho → WhatsApp: A new Lead is created in Zoho, triggering a workflow that sends a welcome WhatsApp message via TimelinesAI.
When to use Workflow Builder vs. alternatives:
Workflow Builder (recommended) - Runs natively in TimelinesAI and is included in your TimelinesAI plan. No separate subscription, and the bundled transaction allowance is more generous than a standalone Zapier plan.
Extra transactions can be topped up on demand. Best when you need triggers based on WhatsApp events or simple Zoho CRUD actions.
Zoho Workflow Rules - Use when you want Zoho's own workflow engine to drive WhatsApp messages, see Zoho CRM Workflow Rules: Send a WhatsApp Message.
Zapier or Make - Popular third-party automation bridges. A good fit if you already have an account or need steps outside Workflow Builder's action catalog. Please note that these require a separate subscription.
To set the Workflow Builder:
Open Workflow Builder from the left sidebar of TimelinesAI.
Create a new workflow.
Select Zoho CRM as the app for your trigger or action.
Connect your Zoho account when prompted.
Configure the trigger or action fields and activate your workflow.
Learn more in the Workflow Builder overview.