n8n: Lead Automation Made Simple

If you haven't heard of it, n8n is a powerful workflow automation tool. Think of it like a more flexible, "fair-priced" alternative to Zapier. It allows you to connect different apps (like Google Maps, Sheets, and Odoo) using a visual interface. The best part? It handles complex logic—like loops and data merging—that other tools simply can't touch.

To get the data from Google Maps into my Odoo CRM, I built a nested loop system. Here’s the breakdown of the key players in this workflow:

We start with a Batch Queries node. Instead of trying to search for everything at once (which usually breaks things), this node releases one search term at a time—for example, "Industrial Manufacturers in Paris." It ensures the workflow stays organized and doesn't hit any rate limits.

This is where the magic happens. It talks to Google Maps and pulls the actual data: business names, ratings, websites, and addresses. Since Google only shows 20 results at a time, this node sits inside a loop.

I used an If Node and an Increment Offset node. If there are more results to find (e.g., results 21–40), the workflow "loops" back and asks Google for the next page. This continues until every local lead is captured.

Inside a loop, data can get messy. I used a Merge Node combined with a Code Node to act as a "bucket." It catches every single result from every page and flattens them into one clean, high-quality list. No duplicates, no missing rows.

Once the data is cleaned, the workflow automatically appends the rows to a Google Sheet. From there, it’s a straight shot into Odoo CRM. Every business found on the map becomes a new Lead or Opportunity in Odoo, complete with their contact details.

Once all 10+ categories are finished, the Batch Queries node sends a final signal to a Mailer node. I get a single email summary: "Automation Complete: 365 new leads added to Odoo."

The biggest hurdle in sales isn't the pitch; it's the prospecting. By the time I log into Odoo in the morning, my CRM is already populated with fresh, relevant leads in the manufacturing or e-commerce sectors.

I’m no longer a data entry clerk—I’m a salesperson.

• Don't fear the loop: Nested loops (category loops + pagination loops) are the only way to get all the data.
  
• Wait times are your friend: Use a "Wait" node between queries to keep your API accounts safe.
  
• Merge as you go: Use an Append Merge node to ensure you don't lose data between loop cycles.
  

• Clean ERP Data: By filtering at the n8n level, my Odoo CRM stays free of duplicates and "ghost" records
• Complex Logic Made Simple: Handling "list subtraction" is usually a nightmare, but the n8n Merge node makes it visual and easy to manage.
• Scalability: Whether I'm scraping 10 leads or 10,000, n8n handles the heavy lifting without breaking a sweat.
  

Building a lead gen machine is about more than just scraping; it’s about data integrity. By putting n8n at the center of my Odoo pipeline, I’ve moved away from manual "VLOOKUPS" and into a world where my CRM is always fresh, always clean, and always ready for the next sale.

"If you’re looking to scale your Odoo leads, start with the logic. Start with n8n"

When importing these leads, make sure to map the place_id from Google Maps to a custom field in Odoo. This prevents you from ever creating the same lead twice if you run the search again next month!