Tips and Tricks #20: How to prevent contact duplication with existing leads from Zoho CRM

In this week's tip, we'll be taking a look at how you can prevent contact duplication when existing leads from Zoho CRM subscribe to one of your plans in Zoho Subscriptions.

---

This post is part of a series of tips and tricks that we post every week. If you missed last week's post about the 3 C's of data in Zoho Subscriptions, go ahead and check it out. 

---

Business Scenario

Managing and qualifying leads is an important part of any business' sales routine. The Zoho Subscriptions-Zoho CRM integration offers a tight sync between both applications and helps your sales teams take control of their targets. With the integration enabled, customers that subscribe to your plans in Zoho Subscriptions will be created as accounts or contacts in Zoho CRM, based on your sync preferences. 

However, there may be cases where leads that you're trying to qualify in Zoho CRM subscribe to one of your plans in Zoho Subscriptions without your sales teams knowing about it. This can lead to your sales teams wasting time on already converted leads, which could also get you on the wrong side of customers because of sales calls even after they've subscribed to your service. This week's tip will help you avoid this. 

Setting It Up

Like most of our previous tips and tricks, this one can be implemented by using a custom function. After a new customer signs up to your service from the hosted payment pages, the custom function will check whether they're already stored as a lead in Zoho CRM and if they are, the lead in Zoho CRM will be converted to a contact instead of creating a new contact in Zoho CRM. This custom function is not limited to hosted payment pages alone and will be triggered as soon a new subscription is created in Zoho Subscriptions (for example, it also works if one of your staff creates a new subscription using Zoho Subscription's web or mobile apps). Here's how to set it up: 

• Go to Zoho Subscriptions > Settings > Automation > Custom Function.
  
• Click + New Custom Function in the top right.
  
• Enter a name for the custom function and select the module as Subscriptions.
  

• Select the predefined event as New Subscription.
  
• Copy the script for this custom function, which can be found on GitHub, and paste it in the Deluge script editor. 
  
• Click Save.
  

A few points to note: 

• This custom function will not be triggered if a customer alone is created from Zoho Subscriptions and will only be triggered when a new subscription is created.
  
• The leads in Zoho CRM will be converted into an Account or Contact based on your sync settings. 
  
• The Deluge script for the custom function requires an Auth Token, which can be generated here.
  

Now, you're good to go and will no longer be faced with contact duplication because of leads from Zoho CRM.

Try it out and let us know how it goes, we'd love to hear your feedback in the comments below. We'll be back next week with a new post, so stay tuned!

Cheers,

Varun Steven

The Zoho Subscriptions Team

• Topic Participants

• Varun Steven

• Sticky Posts

• Tip #4 : Refer and Earn Workflow system for your Subscription Business

  Hello everyone, We've been coming up with a tip every week to address specific business scenarios which can be implemented for your business. In continuation to the previous post, this week we will be seeing about how you can implement the Refer and Earn Workflow system to acquire more customers. Why are Referrals important? Customer Acquisition is crucial for any business to sustain itself in a constantly evolving market. It involves persuading new consumers to purchase your products. Customers

• Tip #2 - Cancellation of Offline Subscriptions based on the Expected Payment Date

  Hello everyone, As you all know, we are coming up with a custom function workflow every week to address specific business scenarios. In continuation of this previous blog, this week we will be seeing about Cancellation of Offline Subscriptions based on the Expected Payment Date. Business Scenario: In general, for any business, the customers make payments via online as well as offline. In case of subscription where the automatic collection of charge is enabled (aka online subscription), the customer's

• Tip #3 : Send SMS Reminders for your Subscription Business

  Hello everyone, As you all know, we are coming up with a tip every week to address specific business scenarios. In continuation to the previous blog, this week we will be seeing how you can use SMS reminders for your Subscription Business. Using SMS messages for your Subscription Business: While managing your subscription business, more often than not, you need to keep your customers informed about upcoming renewals, payment reminders and cancellations. By keeping them informed in advance, you can

• Tips And Tricks - Announcement

  Hello everyone, Every business is unique and each of them follows a specific workflow. While managing your customers' subscriptions with Zoho, you might have some needs unique to your business. Custom Functions helps you address such needs. This is a start to a series of posts, where we will be coming up with a custom function workflow every week that addresses specific business scenarios. Watch this space for further updates! Also, if you have any specific business scenario which needs to be addressed,

• Tip #6 : Accessing external URLs from Zoho Subscriptions

  Hello everyone, We have been sharing a tip every week to address specific business scenarios which you can implement for your subscription business. Last week, we shared a tip about implementing the Approval Workflow system. This week, let's look at how you can access external URLs with the help of Custom Link. Business Scenario: Every business functions differently and has its unique requirements. At times, businesses might want to access other websites or applications by appending specific information

• Recent Topics

• Turning off the new UI

  Tried the new 'enhanced' UI and actively dislike it. Anyone know how to revert back?

• XML format to import knowledgebase into Zoho Desk

  Hi, We just started to use Zoho Desk and want to import our knowledgebase from our old support system (Freshdesk) to Zoho Desk. Can anyone give us information about the format of xml file to import? There is no explanation on the related page.

• Pushing Zoho People leave into Microsoft calendar: how to chose how "event" is shown (busy, free etc)

  Hi, how can I select how a "leave" event is pushed into Microsoft calendar? I want for leave "working elsewhere" to show as working elsewhere and NOT as busy.

• Duplicate Accounts

  Hi There, I am looking for a solution, script, workflow or anything to solve an issue we have - in our customers section we have a rule that doesn't allow duplicates, however Zoho will allow customers with xxxxx and xxxxx PLC or LTD so effectivley we

• Error with If formula

  I've got this super simple If formula, what is the reason for the error? If ( LEN(${Leads.Trial Slot Option}) == 3,'y','n') Syntax Error. Check the examples for any functions you're using to see if you formatted them correctly. Make sure your fields are

• Announcing Multi-language Support in Zoho FSM

  Zoho FSM now speaks your language. The much-awaited multi-language support is now available in Zoho FSM. The following languages are supported in Zoho FSM: Dutch (Nederlands) English - United Kingdom English - United States French (français) French -

• Creating multiple CRM leads from a Zoho Forms subform

  Hi all, We have a heavily used intake form that is used for new leads as a part of our intake. There is a subform that allows the lead to add additional team members, their titles and other basic info. That form submission creates a new Lead and the subform

• Free webinar! Build smarter apps with Zoho Sign and Zoho Creator

  Hello, Bring the power of digital signatures to the apps you build in Zoho Creator! Connect Zoho Sign as a microservice and enable seamless e-signature workflows in your applications. This integration allows you to automate signing tasks using Deluge.

• Restrict Addresses in Zoho Forms?

  In the address field, is there a way to restrict the addresses that auto populate (via Zoho Maps or Google Maps) to a specific state (I know it's possible with the country). Additionally, how often does the address in Zoho Maps get updated? Certain addresses

• Weekly Tips: Secure your attachment downloads with Zoho Mail

  Safety is one of our main concerns, whether it’s about device security or online protection. We use tools like fingerprint scanners, facial recognition, and two-factor authentication to keep our devices and email accounts secure. We use methods like OTP

• Resume Harvester: New Enhancements for Faster Sourcing

  We’re excited to share a set of enhancements to Resume Harvester that make sourcing faster and more flexible. These updates help you cut down on repetitive steps, manage auto searches more efficiently, and review candidate profiles with ease. Why we built

• Looking for best practices to import data from SAP Business One (on-prem) into Zoho Analytics via Zoho DataPrep / Databridge — daily automated schedule

  Hi all, I’m using SAP Business One on-prem (SQL Server / or HANA — depending on DB backend) as our ERP. I want to build a pipeline that, every morning at 9:00 AM IST: pulls transactional data (invoices, customers, products, stock, etc.) from SAP B1, loads

• Zoho One Unified Portal - Applications

  Hello, It is great to see the work on the New Unified Customer Portal. Thanks for that. The number of applications is limited though. It is now only around the Zoho Books ecosystem (Books, Expense...) and Zoho Social. = Are other applications planned

• Marketing Tip #10: Start a customer loyalty program

  Winning a new customer is great, but keeping them coming back is even better. A loyalty program rewards repeat buyers with points, giving them more reasons to shop again. Over time, this builds trust and long-term relationships. Try this today: Set up

• Zia Actions: AI-powered Workflow Automation for Faster and Smarter Execution

  Hello everyone, Updated on 12th Dec 2025 Zia actions for Workflow is available for Enterprise edition ONLY. These features are currently available in the following DCs: US, CA, EU, IN, and AU Email Auto reply and Content Generation are available as Early

• Do Individual Forums within Categories, in Desk Community, Produce Their Own RSS Feed?

  Do Individual Forums within Categories, in Desk Community, Produce Their Own RSS Feed? If not, can anyone share a work-around that could help me get an RSS feed for individual category forums?

• Incremental Migration Issue – Ticket Showing Resolution on Dec 9 Despite Urgent MX Cutover (Ticket ID: 152080262)

  I am experiencing an issue with Zoho Mail incremental migration from Rackspace. The initial full migration completed successfully, but the incremental migration for one mailbox failed immediately with the message: “User not exist” This appears to be a

• Change Last Name to not required in Leads

  I would like to upload 500 target companies as leads but I don't yet have contact people for them. Can you enable the option for me to turn this requirement off to need a Second Name? Moderation update (10-Jun-23): As we explore potential solutions for

• Resend Client Portal Invitation + View Email Delivery Status

  Hi Zoho Team, We hope you are doing well. We would like to request two important enhancements related to the Zoho Creator Client Portal invitation process. At the moment, when we add a user to the Client Portal, Zoho Creator automatically sends an invitation

• Get user last login

  1. Is there a way to programmatically get the last user login to trigger certain workflows? 2. Is there a way to programmatically access the custom fields on a user's account?

• Seeking Zoho Creator Expert (Delivery Management App / Logistics Ops) — Built & Deployed Before

  Hi everyone, We’re building a Delivery Management App (focused on delivery operations for now) using Zoho Creator. We’re looking for a Zoho Creator expert who has already developed and deployed a similar delivery/workflow system and can assist us with

• Zoho Expense Import Reports Won't Work Because Default Accounts Already Exist

  Im trying to import reports from another Zoho expense account to mine and im getting errors that won't allow the import to happen The account name that you've entered 'Ground Transportation' already exists. Enter another name for the account and try again.z

• Adding Multiple Files to a Zoho Vault Entry

  There is a old blog post talking about adding multiple file attachments to one Zoho Vault Secret: https://www.zoho.com/blog/vault/introducing-new-features-in-zoho-vault-powerful-password-sharing-wider-storing.html Is that still possible, I can see how

• FNB South Africa Bank Feed

  I should've thought this wouldn't work. As suspect, Zoho claims to be able to pull bank feeds from First National Bank (South Africa), but fails everytime. I suppose Xero (or even Sage One) is the way to go? If they (miraculously) get it to work again,

• Dropshipping Address - Does Not Show on Invoice Correctly

  When a dropshipping address is used for a customer, the correct ship-to address does not seem to show on the Invoice. It shows correctly on the Sales Order, Shipment Order, and Package, just not the Invoice. This is a problem, because the company being

• Zoho unreliable

  Some mails are delivered, others not. How can I trust Zoho any more? Some friends get my e-mail, some don't. Same with receiving e-mails: Some I get, some not. If I use Google, everything works well. But Zoho?!!! How to solve this problem? I already reported this problem before, but didn't get any reply. Thanks, Kim

• the custom domain forwards by default to the old career site / how to switch it off??

  dear friends, how to switch off the old version of the career site?? The set up custom domain forwards directly to the old site, so that I cant publish it... Any ideas? Thank you! KR, Victoria

• Preserve Ticket Issue Mapping When Migrating from Jira to Zoho Projects

  Hello Zoho Projects Team, We hope you are doing well. We are currently exploring a full migration from Jira to Zoho Projects, and we identified a critical limitation during the migration process involving Zoho Desk integration. Current Situation: We use

• Recording Shopify/Amazon fees in Zoho Books - Zoho Inventory

  We are currently flushing out the connections between Shopify/Amazon and Zoho Inventory. For other users of Zoho Books - Zoho Inventory, where and at what point do you record the merchant fees associated with theses channels? I have gotten mixed responses

• Pre-fill webforms in Recruit

  I don't want to use the career site portal (as I have my own already), but I would like to direct users to the application forms for each role, from my website job pages. Is there a way to pre-fill fields in Recruit application forms, so that I only have

• Function #8: Add additional charges to invoices

  Here goes one of the highly sought-after custom functions in Zoho Books. If you find yourself needing to apply additional charges to customers on their invoices (say credit card surcharges, or fuel charges applicable to customers from a certain region,

• Taxes Payable Adjustment

  I am from Canada and I need to make an adjustment to my Taxes Payable (HST) account.  Basically I need to take a portion of the amount within Taxes Payable and expense that portion to another account.  The adjusting entry would like like the following:

• ASAP Widget Not showing "My Tickets"ed

  Hello Team, I have created a ZOHO ASAP Widget and embedded to my portal app.clearvuiq.com , widget renders ok and I can open tickets from widget. However I want my opened tickets to be visible in the widget. How can I achieve that?

• Bug Causing Major Sync & SO Access Failures in Zoho POS

  We are experiencing critical and recurring issues in Zoho POS that all trace back to role-permission handling defects in the latest POS app version. These issues directly affect syncing, login ability, and Sales Order access for role-restricted users

• How to view CRM Sales Orders in Desk

  What's the usual way to view all CRM sales orders linked to a contact, when viewing a ticket in Desk? I don't want to have to open a new tab to see the order in CRM. And the Desk CRM sidebar doesn't seem to be configurable. Would I have to use an extension

• Kaizen #219: Actions API - Webhooks APIs - Part 1

  Hello all!! Welcome back to a fresh Kaizen week. In the previous weeks, we covered Workflow Rules APIs, Actions APIs - Email Notification APIs, Tasks Update API, and Field Update API. This week, we will continue with another Actions API - Webhooks API

• Pricing Strategies: #3 Services never Stop with just Plans

  "Hey, while you're here, could you also take a look at the vegetable patch?" Aaron hears that line almost every week. He runs a small gardening service, the kind where customers subscribe to a simple monthly plan that includes basic maintenance, mowing,

• Cropping Photos for Zoho Sites

  Hi, I'm wondering if there is a built in crop tool for zoho sites for my photos so I can crop them and see what the crop looks like on the site?

• bulk edit records and run internal logic

  hi there is few logics in manner "it this than that" logics work well when i edit entry openning it one by one (via workflow "on add/edit - on success" , for custom field "on update/on user input") but when i try bulk edit records - logic does not work.  how can i turn on logic to work as programmed - for mass editing records via bulk edit?

• Possible for first Signer of Sign Form to specify the next signer in the sequence

  We have many use cases where multiple signers need sign the same document. We'd love to be able to use sign forms, where the a signer who uses the Sign Form link can specify the name and email address for the next person in the sequence.

• Next Page