Native Integrations: Traps to Watch For and How to Avoid Them
monday.com offers an impressive range of native integrations with popular third-party platforms like Mailchimp, Facebook Ads, QuickBooks, and more. These ready-to-go "recipes" make it easy for users to quickly connect their favourite tools without needing heavy technical knowledge.
But while native integrations are a fantastic starting point, they can sometimes lead to hidden traps that limit your workflow possibilities if you're not aware of them.
Here's what you need to know:
Native vs Non-Native Integrations
Native integrations are built-in connections officially provided by monday.com or directly by the third-party software (e.g., QuickBooks or Mailchimp). You can usually set these up in just a few clicks.
Non-native integrations (also called "custom integrations") are set up using external automation tools like Zapier, Make.com, or even direct API connections. These offer far more flexibility, but usually require a bit more technical setup.
| Feature | Native Integration | Non-Native (Zapier/Make/API) |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Setup | Very Easy | Moderate to Complex |
| Flexibility | Limited | High |
| Custom Logic/Conditions | Often Basic | Advanced |
| Two-Way Sync Capability | Rare | Possible |
The Common Traps with Native Integrations
Limited Fields: Native recipes often only allow you to pull in a few fields. You may not be able to capture all the data you need.
One-Way Sync: Many native integrations are one-directional. For example, you can send a lead from Facebook Ads to monday.com, but if you update that lead in monday.com it won't update back to Facebook.
Basic Trigger Options: You might be restricted to simple triggers like "when a new item is created" rather than more nuanced triggers like "when a specific field changes."
No Error Handling: If something goes wrong with a native integration, troubleshooting options are very limited compared to external tools.
How to Check if a Native Integration Will Work for You
Before setting up a native integration, make sure you:
Review the Full List of Fields: Check which fields are available to push or pull.
Understand the Sync Direction: Is it one-way or two-way?
Test Edge Cases: Think about unusual or complex scenarios and whether the native setup can handle them.
Consider Future Scaling: Will you need more flexibility later as your system grows?
Workarounds If You Hit a Wall
If you find the native recipe doesn't quite meet your needs, you still have options:
Zapier: Great for easy-to-moderate automations across thousands of apps.
Make.com: Perfect for complex workflows, branching paths, and handling multiple systems at once.
Direct API Connections: For full control when you need maximum flexibility and two-way syncing.
Need Help? Journee Can Assist
If you're not sure whether a native integration will cover your needs, Journee offers a free one-hour assessment to review your current setup and advise you on the best way forward.
We’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure you choose the right path for now - and for your future growth.