Sync Your Contacts: Harvest to Google Contacts

Introduction to Harvest and Google Contacts

In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing contacts efficiently is crucial for both personal and professional interactions. Harvest, an excellent tool for time tracking and invoicing, makes it simple to keep track of clients and projects. On the other hand, Google Contacts serves as a comprehensive contact management system that is widely used due to its integration with other Google services.

Both tools have their strengths, but what if you want to combine them for even greater efficiency? By syncing your contacts from Harvest to Google Contacts, you can ensure all contact information is up-to-date across platforms. This article will guide you through the process, making your contact management seamless and stress-free.

Why Sync Contacts from Harvest to Google Contacts?

Maintaining a single source of truth for your contacts can significantly reduce the risk of data entry errors. If you’ve ever dealt with duplicated or outdated contact information, you know it can be a maddening experience. Syncing your contacts between Harvest and Google Contacts means you’ll always have access to the most current data, no matter which platform you’re using.

Furthermore, Google Contacts allows for greater flexibility with contact management by offering features such as labels, groups, and seamless integration with Gmail and other Google services. This means you can easily email clients straight from Google Contacts without needing to switch between different applications, saving you precious time and effort.

Setting Up the Connection: Getting Started with Make (formerly Integromat)

To establish a connection between Harvest and Google Contacts, we’ll leverage Make (formerly known as Integromat). Make is a powerful automation tool that connects your favorite apps and services to automate tasks and save time. While setting this up might sound complicated, I’m here to tell you it’s easier than you think—no coding skills required!

First, you’ll need to create an account on Make if you don’t already have one. Once logged in, you can start by creating a new scenario. A scenario is essentially a workflow that defines how data should move between your apps. In this case, we’re going to design a workflow that transfers new contacts from Harvest to Google Contacts.

Configuring Harvest and Google Contacts in Make

Once your scenario is set up, it’s time to configure the necessary modules. In Make, modules are the building blocks of your scenario. For syncing contacts, you will need two main modules: Harvest (to fetch the new contacts) and Google Contacts (to add these contacts).

Start by adding the Harvest module to your scenario. You’ll need to authorize Make to access your Harvest account, which will allow it to fetch new contacts. After that, proceed to add a Google Contacts module. Just like with Harvest, you’ll need to authorize access to your Google Contacts so the automation process can run smoothly.

Mapping Data Between Harvest and Google Contacts

The next step involves mapping data fields between Harvest and Google Contacts. Think of this as connecting the dots—telling Make exactly which pieces of information from Harvest fit into which fields in Google Contacts. This step ensures that each contact detail, from first names to phone numbers, is transferred accurately.

Mapping might sound technical, but Make’s user-friendly interface makes it a breeze. You’ll see a list of available data fields from Harvest, and you can simply drag and drop these fields to their corresponding places in Google Contacts. Double-check everything to ensure accuracy before proceeding to test the scenario.

Testing and Running Your Scenario

Before you start transferring contacts en masse, it’s important to test your scenario with a few sample records. Testing helps catch any potential issues early and gives you peace of mind knowing everything is working as expected. In Make, you can easily trigger a test run that will simulate the data transfer process.

Keep an eye out for any errors during testing, and don’t hesitate to tweak your scenario for optimal results. Once you’re satisfied with the test results, you can activate the scenario to run automatically. From here on out, every new contact added to Harvest will be seamlessly integrated into Google Contacts.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

As with any technology, syncing contacts can sometimes hit a snag. One common issue users face is authorization errors, where Make struggles to access either Harvest or Google Contacts. Re-authenticating your accounts usually resolves this problem. If you encounter sync delays, adjusting the frequency of the scenario’s run might help.

Another potential issue is mismatched data fields. Ensure your data mappings are correct, as incorrect mappings can lead to incomplete or incorrect contact information being transferred. Make provides detailed logs for each scenario run, which can be instrumental in diagnosing and resolving any errors that arise.

Conclusion

Syncing your contacts from Harvest to Google Contacts is not just about convenience—it’s about efficiency and staying organized. This process eliminates repetitive manual updates and ensures that your contact list is always current across platforms. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a seamless integration that saves you time and possibly a few headaches down the line.

FAQs

How often should I run my contact sync scenario?

The frequency depends on your needs. If you frequently add new contacts in Harvest, you might want to run it more often, such as daily. Otherwise, a weekly sync might suffice.

Can I sync existing contacts from Harvest to Google Contacts?

Yes, during the setup process, you can choose to transfer existing contacts alongside new ones. However, be cautious to avoid duplicates in Google Contacts.

Is there a limit to the number of contacts I can sync?

While Make doesn’t impose strict limits, both Harvest and Google Contacts have their own limitations. It’s best to check each platform’s restrictions regarding contact data.

What happens if I delete a contact in Harvest?

If a contact is deleted in Harvest, it won’t be removed automatically from Google Contacts. You’ll need to manage deletions manually or use another scenario to handle this.

Can I customize which contact details get synced?

Absolutely! During data mapping, you can choose specific fields to sync, ensuring only the desired information is transferred to Google Contacts.