Automation is one of the most powerful ways to scale SEO and streamline repetitive tasks. I prefer to self-host my automation tools, rather than relying on SaaS platforms with limitations.
If you’re using Windows Server, getting n8n up and running is a great first step toward controlling your workflows and integrating with your existing infrastructure. Automation is becoming essential in SEO, and a self-hosted setup gives you full control without third-party limits.
This guide walks through installing n8n on Windows Server with Node.js, keeping things simple so you can get started without unnecessary complex docker configurations.
Once set up, you’ll have the foundation to build AI-driven SEO agents that track rankings, monitor site changes, and process search data at a scale that was impossible before.
If managing a server isn’t for you, n8n offers a hosted version that handles the setup, it's $20 a month, cheap enough really. But if you want full control and unlimited workflows, self-hosting is going to be the better long-term option, especially with keeping sensitive credentials secure.
This should return the installed versions of Node.js and npm.
Once installed, verify it with:
This confirms that n8n is ready to run.
Example of installation process:
By default, n8n will be accessible at:
At this stage, you can open a web browser tab on your Windows Server and complete the initial setup.
Example of n8n setup screen:
Once setup is complete, you’ll see the n8n dashboard where you can create and manage workflows.
Example of n8n running:
In future articles, I’ll explore advanced configurations, optimising performance, and integrating n8n with other SEO tools. If you’re serious about automation, this is just the beginning.
For clarity* you can install n8n on any windows device, I used windows server as an example as it's my goto SEO workstation.
If you’re using Windows Server, getting n8n up and running is a great first step toward controlling your workflows and integrating with your existing infrastructure. Automation is becoming essential in SEO, and a self-hosted setup gives you full control without third-party limits.
This guide walks through installing n8n on Windows Server with Node.js, keeping things simple so you can get started without unnecessary complex docker configurations.
Once set up, you’ll have the foundation to build AI-driven SEO agents that track rankings, monitor site changes, and process search data at a scale that was impossible before.
If managing a server isn’t for you, n8n offers a hosted version that handles the setup, it's $20 a month, cheap enough really. But if you want full control and unlimited workflows, self-hosting is going to be the better long-term option, especially with keeping sensitive credentials secure.
What You Need
Before installing n8n, make sure your system meets the following requirements.- Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 or 2025 (I'm using Windows Server 2025)
- Administrator access
- Node.js installed
- npm, which comes with Node.js
Step 1: Install Node.js
To run n8n, you need Node.js installed first.- Download Node.js from the official Node.js website
- Install it using the default settings
- Open PowerShell as Administrator and check the installation with:
Code:
node -v
npm -vThis should return the installed versions of Node.js and npm.
Step 2: Install n8n
With Node.js installed, n8n can be installed globally using npm. In PowerShell as Administrator, run:
Code:
npm install -g n8nOnce installed, verify it with:
Code:
n8n -vThis confirms that n8n is ready to run.
Example of installation process:
Step 3: Running n8n
To start n8n, simply run:
Code:
n8nBy default, n8n will be accessible at:
Code:
http://localhost:5678At this stage, you can open a web browser tab on your Windows Server and complete the initial setup.
Example of n8n setup screen:
Once setup is complete, you’ll see the n8n dashboard where you can create and manage workflows.
Example of n8n running:
Next Steps
Now that n8n is running, you can start experimenting with automations. This free (almost) open-source setup allows you to build workflows that connect your SEO tools APIs, scrape data, and automate tasks directly on your Windows Server.In future articles, I’ll explore advanced configurations, optimising performance, and integrating n8n with other SEO tools. If you’re serious about automation, this is just the beginning.
For clarity* you can install n8n on any windows device, I used windows server as an example as it's my goto SEO workstation.
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