Uncanny Automator is a powerful automation plugin for WordPress that helps you create “no-code” workflows and integrations between various plugins, tools, and third-party applications. It’s often referred to as the “Zapier for WordPress” because it enables seamless connections between different functionalities of your WordPress site and external services.

Key Features

1. Integrations:
   Supports a wide range of popular WordPress plugins and external services, such as:
   • WooCommerce
   • LearnDash
   • BuddyBoss
   • MemberPress
   • Gravity Forms
   • Elementor
   • Zapier, Slack, Twilio, Google Sheets, and more.
2. Triggers and Actions:
   • Triggers: Events that initiate workflows (e.g., “A user completes a specific course”).
   • Actions: Tasks that are executed when a trigger occurs (e.g., “Send a congratulatory email”).
3. Recipe Creation:
   Automator workflows are called “recipes,” which follow an “if this, then that” structure:
   • Triggers define the conditions that start a recipe.
   • Actions execute responses to the trigger.
4. User-Based and Site-Based Recipes:
   • Logged-in Recipes: Triggered by actions of logged-in users.
   • Anonymous Recipes: For site visitors not logged in.
   • Admin Recipes: Triggered by administrative tasks.
5. Conditional Logic:
   Add conditions to actions to ensure they’re executed only if specific requirements are met.
6. Scheduled Actions:
   Delays or schedules actions to occur after a set period or at a specific time.
7. Integrates with Webhooks:
   Works with custom API endpoints and third-party services to extend functionality.
8. Multisite Support:
   Offers specific functionality for WordPress multisite installations.
9. Tracking and Logs:
   Built-in logging system to track recipe executions and debug any issues.

Use Cases

1. E-Learning:
   • Award a badge after a user completes a course in LearnDash or LifterLMS.
   • Notify instructors when students finish a course.
2. E-Commerce:
   • Automatically create a coupon when a user makes their first purchase.
   • Send SMS updates for order status changes.
3. Community Building:
   • Add users to a BuddyBoss group after signing up for a membership plan.
   • Send a welcome email when someone joins a BuddyPress group.
4. Marketing Automation:
   • Add contacts to a Mailchimp list after form submissions.
   • Post updates to Slack or Discord for key site events.
5. Custom Workflows:
   • Push data to Google Sheets after a user completes a registration form.
   • Trigger webhooks for integration with custom APIs or Zapier.

Pricing

Uncanny Automator offers a free version with basic features, available on the WordPress plugin repository, and a Pro version with advanced functionalities, additional integrations, and unlimited recipes. Licensing is tiered based on the number of sites.

Installation and Setup

1. Install and activate the plugin from the WordPress repository (for the free version) or upload the premium plugin ZIP file.
2. Navigate to Automator > Add New Recipe in the WordPress dashboard.
3. Select the recipe type (e.g., logged-in users, guests).
4. Choose triggers and actions from the available integrations.
5. Save and activate the recipe.

Advantages

• Saves time by automating repetitive tasks.
• No coding skills required.
• Scales well for complex workflows.
• Extensive library of integrations.