To access the Contacts API, set up OAuth 2.0 credentials in the GHL developer portal and request the required scope, such as contacts.readonly. Keep your client secret secure and use the redirect URI provided by Zapier to complete the flow.
Zapier App Connector uses OAuth 2.0 or API tokens configured in the app’s authentication section. Align the scopes with the API you are calling and ensure the token exchange follows best practices.
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 contacts.write 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: Retrieve a specific contact by ID to initialize or refresh a workflow.
Actions: Fetch the contact’s tasks and notes to compile a complete profile using GET /contacts/:contactId/tasks and GET /contacts/:contactId/notes.
GET /contacts/:contactId
contactId, businessId
Trigger: A new task is created for a contact or an existing task is updated.
Actions: Create, update, or delete tasks via endpoints 13-16 to keep task data in sync.
POST /contacts/:contactId/tasks
contactId, taskId
Trigger: A note is added or updated for a contact.
Actions: Create or update notes using endpoints 4-5 to keep notes in sync with Zoho Bookings data.
POST /contacts/:contactId/notes
contactId, noteId
Automate data flow between Zoho Bookings and your app without writing code.
Real-time syncing of contact updates across systems to keep records current.
Scalability as new endpoints are added to the API without reworking your setup.
Common elements and processes you’ll work with when integrating the Contacts API with the Zapier App Connector include authentication, endpoints, triggers, actions, and data mapping.
A URL path that accesses a specific resource or action in the API.
A standard for authorizing access to APIs without sharing passwords. Used to obtain access tokens.
A set of permissions granted to access certain resources in the API, e.g., readonly.
The specific route used to perform an action, like /contacts/:contactId/tasks.
Set up a Zap to create or update a contact in GHL when a new lead is created in Zoho Bookings, including key fields like name, email, and phone.
When a Zoho Bookings appointment is updated, append a note to the related contact in Contacts API via the notes endpoint.
Morning batch run to pull a snapshot of recent contacts and export to a data warehouse.
Create a GHL API client and obtain client ID and secret, then configure the app to use these credentials.
Enter the client ID, secret, and redirect URI in the Zapier app settings and select the desired scopes (e.g., contacts.readonly).
Run a test Zap to verify data flows and then enable live automations.
The required scope depends on the actions you plan to perform. For read-only access to fetch contact details, use the contacts.readonly scope. If you need to create or update data, you will need broader scopes such as contacts.write. Always request the minimum scope necessary for your use case. After granting the scope, authenticate the app and validate the connection with a test call to GET /contacts/:contactId.
With only the readonly scope, you cannot modify or delete records. To write or delete data, ensure your OAuth client is granted the appropriate scopes and that the endpoints you call (e.g., POST /contacts/, PUT /contacts/:contactId, DELETE /contacts/:contactId) are allowed by your permission set. In Zapier, re-authenticate after scope updates to confirm access.
Webhooks provide real-time updates, while polling endpoints fetch data on a schedule. The Contacts API supports endpoint-based polling for data retrieval. If real-time updates are essential, configure webhooks where supported, and complement with periodic polls to ensure data freshness.
Start by testing individual endpoints in isolation (e.g., GET /contacts/:contactId) to verify schema and authentication. Use sample IDs, inspect responses, and then progressively build Zapier actions that map fields. Always test end-to-end in a staging environment before going live.
Common errors include invalid or expired tokens, insufficient scopes, or incorrect endpoint paths. Check your OAuth configuration, ensure the correct scopes are granted, and verify that IDs (like contactId) exist. Consult logs for detailed error messages and adjust requests accordingly.
Rate limits depend on your GHL plan and API access. If you approach limits, implement exponential backoff in your Zapier workflows, batch requests where possible, and stagger cron or trigger-based executions. Contact support if you consistently hit limits.
API documentation is available in the GHL developer portal and Zapier app docs. If you need additional help, reach out to support via the developer console or the plugin marketplace, where you can access guides, examples, and community resources.
Due to high volume, we will be upgrading our server soon!
Complete Operations Catalog - 126 Actions & Triggers
