5 Everyday Tasks You Can Streamline with Task Automation

With so many demands on our time, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. From work to personal commitments, the daily grind often involves repetitive tasks that sap our energy. We’ve been there. But that’s where task automation comes in.

What is task automation?

Task automation is all about using technology to handle the routine stuff with minimal effort on your part.  By automating these tasks, you can save time, reduce errors, and free up your energy for more strategic work. Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflow or just make life a bit easier, automation can be a real game-changer for your productivity.

We’ll talk through five common tasks you can easily automate to reclaim your time and focus on what matters most. Let’s dive in.

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1. Automated task and workflow management

Why it matters

Automating task management and workflows eliminates repetitive manual work, so you or your team can focus on high-impact projects.

By setting up automated workflows, your business can streamline task assignments, send reminders, and manage approvals seamlessly. That way, nothing falls through the cracks and you’ll reduce the risk of missed deadlines and overlooked details.

How it works

With automated task and workflow tools, you can set things up to run on autopilot. Want to assign tasks, schedule follow-ups, or get reminders for deadlines? No problem.

You can even design workflows to handle approval processes, notify team members when tasks are completed, or update project statuses automatically. These tools take the hassle out of the admin work and help you maintain consistency across projects.

Tool spotlight

Zapier: A major player in the automation space is Zapier. It’s got a user-friendly design that lets anyone set up custom workflows—called “Zaps”—to streamline processes like customer onboarding, data entry, or notifications. The best part? You won’t have to write a single line of code.

But one downside is that Zapier is subscription-based. If you don’t want to spend money every month on automations, check out lifetime deals on AppSumo. You can find the best Zapier alternatives in this tool collection, and you’ll only pay once for lifetime access to great software.

2. No-code web app development

Why it matters

No-code web app development helps non-technical users create functional applications quickly, enabling faster project delivery and reducing reliance on developers.

This can be a game-changer for businesses that have to build custom apps for customer onboarding, data collection, or even scheduling without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

How it works

No-code platforms make it super easy to build web apps with drag-and-drop interfaces and ready-to-use components. Instead of hiring a developer or spending forever on manual coding, you can automate processes in no time. By empowering more team members to build apps, you’ll be able to enhance productivity and speed up project timelines.

Tool spotlight

Nowa: Nowa is a no-code development platform that allows users to create responsive web apps. It offers an intuitive interface, making it easy for anyone to develop custom solutions tailored to specific business needs. With Nowa, you can streamline everything from customer onboarding to data collection, all without touching a line of code.

3. Scheduling meetings and appointments

Why it matters

You’ll save hours every week when you skip all the back-and-forth messaging just to schedule a call. Automate the process to coordinate schedules and find a time that works best for everyone, minus all the manual follow-ups and confirmations.

How it works

Automated scheduling tools let you set up your availability and preferences, so others can easily see when you're free and book a meeting. This makes it super simple for clients, coworkers, or anyone else to find a time that works for both of you—plus, it syncs straight to your calendar to avoid double-booking.

Some tools even come with handy extras like automatic time zone adjustments, meeting reminders, and video call integration with Zoom or Google Meet. It’s an easy way to save time and keep your schedule running smoothly.

Tool spotlight

TidyCal: TidyCal is a user-friendly scheduling tool that allows you to set your availability and let others book directly from your calendar. It integrates with popular platforms like Google Calendar and Apple iCal, so you can effortlessly schedule calls without worrying about double-booking. TidyCal is a great choice for professionals, freelancers, and small business owners looking to streamline their scheduling process.

4. No-code workflow automation

Why it matters

No-code workflow automations simplify routine tasks and improve efficiency by letting you skip the programming and get right to the results. You’ll be able to quickly automate processes like email notifications, database updates, and task handoffs, freeing up time for more strategic responsibilities.

How it works

Workflow automation tools connect different apps and services to create seamless processes. You set up triggers and actions to automate things like sending follow-up emails, updating customer info, or firing off notifications when something happens.

It’s an easy way to build workflows that run on autopilot, cutting down on manual work and keeping everything moving smoothly.

Tool spotlight

Make: Make is a flexible no-code platform that integrates with a wide range of apps to automate workflows. Whether you need to trigger actions across apps, automate data processing, or streamline communication between team members, Make helps you build powerful automations without diving into technical details.

If you want to avoid the monthly costs of Make, here are Make alternatives that only charge a one-time fee for lifetime access.

5. Research automation with AI

Why it matters

Research automation tools using AI can quickly gather, analyze, and organize info, cutting down on the time you’d normally spend doing manual research. They’re really helpful for tasks like competitive analysis, market research, and getting customer insights, where there’s a lot of data to sift through.

How it works

AI-powered research tools do the heavy lifting for you by automating data collection and analysis, often giving you insights in just seconds. They pull in info from different sources, summarize the key points, and put everything into easy-to-digest formats. This saves you hours of manual work and gives you the data you need to make smarter decisions, faster.

Tool spotlight

Afforai: Afforai is an AI-powered research assistant that simplifies gathering and analyzing data. It’s perfect for automating tasks like compiling competitive analysis reports, generating insights, and conducting customer research.

With Afforai, you can quickly access relevant information, reducing the time spent on data collection and freeing up more time for decision-making.

Start automating your routine tasks today

The five tasks we covered are just a glimpse of what you can automate in work and everyday life. Adding automation to your routine helps you cut down on repetitive tasks, boost productivity, and free up time for the things you actually enjoy.

Getting started: Pick one of the tasks above and try out one of the suggested tools. A lot of them offer free trials or basic plans, so you can see the benefits for yourself. And if you get them on AppSumo, you’ll score an awesome lifetime deal that you only pay for once, plus a 60-day money-back guarantee to make sure it’s a good fit.

As you get more comfortable with automation, keep adding more tools to your arsenal and save even more time.

FAQs

1. What’s the simplest task to automate first?
   Scheduling is usually the easiest place to start because it makes a big difference with minimal effort. Tools like TidyCal or Doodle let you set your availability, so people can book time with you without all the back-and-forth emails. It’s a simple setup, but it saves a ton of hassle and helps you stay organized from day one.
   
   
2. How much time does automation typically save?
   The amount of time saved really depends on what you're automating, but for repetitive tasks, it can add up fast. Think about all those little things you do every day—automating just a few of them can free up hours each week. Whether it’s sending emails, scheduling meetings, or updating spreadsheets, those saved minutes really stack up over time.
   
   
3. Do automation tools require technical knowledge to use?
   Not at all! Plenty of automation tools are designed to be super user-friendly, even if you’re not a tech whiz. Many, like Zapier, have simple drag-and-drop setups that make it easy for beginners to get started. You don’t need any coding skills—just follow a few prompts, and you’ll have workflows running in no time.

Ready to give it a try? Start small, experiment, and watch your productivity soar as you automate your way to a more efficient workday!