Authenticate API requests to the Contacts API using the OAuth credentials and access tokens provided by your GHL account, ensuring the scope is set to read-only for this example.
Configure OAuth or API key-based auth in your Zapier app so each Zap can securely call the Contacts API.
– GET /contacts/:contactId – GET /contacts/:contactId/tasks – GET /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId – GET /contacts/:contactId/notes – GET /contacts/:contactId/notes/:id – GET /contacts/:contactId/appointments – GET /contacts/ – GET /contacts/business/:businessId – POST /contacts/ – PUT /contacts/:contactId – DELETE /contacts/:contactId – POST /contacts/:contactId/tasks – PUT /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId – PUT /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId/completed – DELETE /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId – POST /contacts/:contactId/tags
Trigger: When a contact is created or updated in the Contacts API.
Actions: Create or update a contact, fetch contact details, or attach notes.
GET /contacts/:contactId
Key fields: contactId, email, name
Trigger: A new or updated task for a contact is detected.
Actions: Create, update, or complete tasks; link tasks to contacts.
POST /contacts/:contactId/tasks
Key fields: contactId, taskId, dueDate
Trigger: A note is added or updated for a contact.
Actions: Add notes, fetch notes history, search by noteId.
GET /contacts/:contactId/notes
Key fields: contactId, noteId
Automate CRM data across apps without writing code.
Speed up onboarding by triggering tasks and notes automatically.
Create end-to-end workflows using clicks instead of code.
Key elements include endpoints, authentication, triggers, actions, and the data fields you work with when integrating the GHL Contacts API with Zapier.
The GHL Contacts API provides programmatic access to contact records, enabling read and write operations depending on your access scope.
Zapier App Connector is the bridge that connects GHL APIs with external apps to automate workflows.
An API endpoint is a URL path used to access a specific resource or action.
A trigger starts a Zap when a specified event occurs in an app.
Set up a Zap to automatically create an onboarding task when a new contact is added via the Contacts API.
Push campaign emails into the contact’s Notes to keep a complete timeline.
Sync business-level data using GET /contacts/business/:businessId to keep CRM aligned with back-office systems.
Request API access, generate tokens, and set scopes to contacts.readonly.
Use OAuth or API key authentication; test endpoints with Postman or cURL.
Create a Zap that triggers on contact updates and performs actions like creating tasks or adding notes.
The Contacts API scope determines what operations your app can perform; in this guide we demonstrate read-only access to illustrate connectivity. If you need to modify data, you would request the appropriate write permissions from your GHL admin. Always design your flows to respect least privilege and user consent. For production workflows, ensure your tokens are stored securely and refreshed as needed, and monitor API usage to stay within your plan’s limits.
Authorize the app by obtaining OAuth client credentials from GHL and configuring them in Zapier; then run a test flow to confirm that authentication is working. In production, use secure storage for tokens and implement token refresh logic. Keep client secrets confidential and rotate credentials periodically to maintain security.
With the provided read-only scope, the GET endpoints listed are read-only. Endpoints that modify data (POST, PUT, DELETE) require a write-enabled scope and proper approval from your GHL administrator. Always verify the specific endpoint permissions in your API plan before attempting writes.
If you only have read-only access, you cannot create, update, or delete contacts. To perform writes, request elevated scopes from your GHL admin and ensure your app handles permissions securely and transparently. In a test environment, use a sandbox or test data to avoid impacting real records.
Test endpoints using Postman, Insomnia, or the Zapier built-in tester to simulate real calls. Validate authentication, response data, and error handling before building full automations. Document any failures and adjust your Zaps accordingly to ensure reliability.
No heavy coding is required to create basic automations with the Zapier App Connector. For advanced data transformations or conditional logic, you may incorporate simple code steps or use Zapier’s built-in utilities. If your use case grows in complexity, consider lightweight scripting or custom fields to handle data shaping.
Endpoint references are available in the official API docs and the generated Swagger specification for the Contacts API. This guide provides a concise overview, but always consult the primary docs for exact parameter names and response formats. Use the endpoint list above as a quick reference during integration.
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