Connectors
Connectors are pre-built integrations between SendSeven and third-party systems like CRM, online stores, or helpdesks. They handle the connection in the background so data flows automatically — a wired plug instead of loose cables.
What are connectors?
A connector is a ready-made, tested bridge between two software systems. Where an API gives you raw wires, a connector is the assembled plug — with all the sockets, fuses, and labels in place.
Concretely: anyone wiring SendSeven to Shopify has two options. One, build the connection against both APIs yourself. Two, use n8n, Make or Zapier as the bridge, pick the shop event and the matching SendSeven action. Done.
Connector vs. API vs. Webhook
| Term | What it is | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| API | Raw blueprint | Developers |
| Webhook | Single event push | Developers |
| Connector | Complete end-to-end link to a specific system | Marketing, service, operations — usually no code |
| SDK | Programming library in one language | Developers |
Typical connector categories
Connectors cluster around the most-used system categories:
- E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, Shopware, Magento — for order confirmations, shipping updates, abandoned carts.
- CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive — for lead sync, status-triggered messages, contact enrichment.
- Helpdesk: Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom — for ticket sync between channel and helpdesk.
- Automation platforms: Zapier, Make, n8n — universal connectors with hundreds of additional target systems.
- Marketing tools: Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Brevo — for cross-channel campaigns.
How a connector works under the hood
Internally, every connector uses APIs and webhooks — it just hides that complexity. Typical flow:
- You authorize the connector (OAuth or API-key entry).
- The connector reads the available data fields of both systems.
- You configure mappings: "Shopify order status = 'shipped' → SendSeven sends WhatsApp template 'Shipping confirmation.'"
- In live operation the connector translates one system's events into API calls on the other — with error handling, retries, and logging.
Benefits of connectors
- Speed: Hours instead of weeks to a production integration.
- No code: Marketing, service, and operations teams can integrate themselves.
- Maintenance: When a provider changes its API, the connector vendor updates the bridge — not you.
- Built-in best practices: Rate-limit handling, auth refresh, safe handling of personal data.
When a connector isn't enough
Connectors cover standard flows. If you want to automate unusual workflows — downstream logic, custom data enrichment, multi-system choreography — direct API access or an automation platform like Make or n8n gets you there faster. Connectors and APIs aren't mutually exclusive: you can run both at the same time.
Connectors at SendSeven
SendSeven connects directly to HubSpot (two-way contact sync, HubSpot lists as campaign audiences, an inbox inside HubSpot) and to Calendly for booking appointments through the bot. For Shopify and hundreds of other systems, n8n, Make and Zapier are the bridge. Custom connectors can be built by developers via the SendSeven REST API plus webhooks.