Why We Finally Switched to a Real Database
At GlobalAssist, we've always aimed to build lean systems that scale. But up until January, we were still using Google Sheets as our “database” — a setup that served us well in the very early days, but quickly became fragile and inefficient. Every time we inserted a new row or moved a column, our Zaps would break. And as the only part-time founder with no dedicated tech team, maintaining it became a time-consuming and error-prone task.
Introducing Zapier Tables: A Game Changer
In January, we took the leap and moved our operations to Zapier Tables — a relatively new tool but one that promised exactly what we needed: a structured, automation-friendly database environment that wouldn’t fall apart with every edit. I expected the transition to be complex, but to my surprise, it was fast and seamless. Within minutes, we had our first table up and running — a clean setup to manage payments.
Building One Table After Another
After setting up our payments table, I quickly created one for bookings. Then came tables for booking numbers, payment IDs, cancellations, and even cost tracking. One by one, our data became properly structured, searchable, and stable. Editing records no longer breaks anything, and we can confidently rely on our automations to keep running without disruption.
The Limitations — and Why They Don’t Matter (Yet)
To be fair, Zapier Tables still has some limitations. Relational fields are rudimentary and don’t yet offer full relational database capabilities. But for our current needs, it works perfectly. We run a small, focused operation in Madagascar, and for now, the trade-off is absolutely worth it — especially compared to the chaotic maintenance of our old Google Sheets setup.
Finally: A Complete and Clean Database
Today, we’ve fully migrated all our legacy data into Zapier Tables. For the first time, we have a centralized database of every payment, booking, and cancellation across our operations. This gives us the ability to build stable processes and implement real controlling mechanisms. It might sound over-engineered for a grassroots travel platform in Madagascar, but our ambition has always been broader. If the model continues to work — and it’s working far better than we expected — we plan to expand into new countries soon.
Automation That Actually Works
With Zapier Tables at the center, we’ve taken our automation capabilities to the next level. Our booking managers can now work faster and more independently, which is critical since we have no support or IT team. If something breaks, it’s on the founder to fix it — and I do this project as a side hobby. That's why stable, no-maintenance systems are essential. Our stack now includes Zapier, Zapier Tables, WhatsApp, Twilio, Respond.io, Stripe, Postmark, and WordPress — all working together to power our operations with minimal friction.
One Step Closer to Our Vision
Zapier Tables helps us move closer to our big vision: to revolutionize real-time service booking in developing countries. In many of the markets we work in, booking services online is still not common — and we want to change that. By building stable infrastructure and leveraging smart automation, we’re helping travelers access services in real time and creating meaningful work for locals.
A No-Brainer Investment
Thankfully, Zapier Tables is affordable — especially compared to the costs of broken automations and wasted hours. For us, it’s a no-brainer. We’re thrilled with the decision and honestly, not even ten horses could drag us back to the chaotic days of managing our data in Google Sheets.
