Introduction To RPA Web Scraping
Web scraping enables users to extract structured data from websites. It is highly effective at capturing data that can later be analyzed and used for decision-making.
Typical web scraping involves numerous repetitive tasks, some of which can be automated through Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Utilizing RPA web scraping, it may be possible to scrape more, scrape more efficiently, and analyze data more fundamentally efficiently.
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If you are using tools like API calls, the inclusion of web scraping using RPA could also improve efficiency by improving data-driven workflows. The bottom line is, when using RPA web scraping, you can keep your people doing tasks they need to while automating a significant amount of the back work. Let’s talk about why and how this could be applied to your tasks.
What Is RPA?
To understand how RPA works for web scraping, we first need to dive into what RPA is. Short for Robotic Process Automation, RPA is a type of technology that streamlines and automates a variety of tedious, repetitive tasks. Many of these are called trigger-based repetitive tasks, which must be done at specific times. Traditionally, these types of tasks, such as data collection strategies, require human interaction. Yet, when we apply RPA to those tasks, it does the work for the user, freeing up the person’s time.
There are many examples of how RPA can work for a variety of the tasks you are doing now:
- Inventory management: Update inventory levels, track stock movements, and generate purchase orders when specific thresholds occur.
- Data management: Data entry is a commonly used example. From entering emails and filling out spreadsheets to completing CRM forms, RPA can do much of this work.
- Organizing data: It is often necessary to organize data and move one type of file to the next.
RPA web scraping is the process of using this method to scrape specific information off websites, navigating around various blocks along the way. The methods used make it highly effective for extracting structured data from a website.
When to Use RPA Scraping
Web scraping using RPA can be beneficial in numerous situations. Not every web scraping project requires it, but in those projects that involve any of the following, you will find it to be an excellent, efficiency-improving tool.
- Repetitive volume: In data extraction, frequent and repetitive volume management is critical. If there is a large volume of data and extraction needs to be routine, RPA web scraping is essential.
- Triggers: The most effective strategy for using RPA for web scraping is when you have defined, clear triggers. If the process has a clear starting point, a time slot, for example, or a specific user action, this RPA bot application works well.
- Rule-based processes: This tool can work well if you can break down the extraction process into predictable steps with consistent rules, such as navigating to specific pages or pulling data from specific locations.
Notably, it is best used for structured data, which follows a specific, fixed format for both the input and output. This makes it beneficial in a wide range of applications.
Examples of RPA Tools You Can Start Using
There are numerous web scraping tools available that provide exceptional functionality. You may be using some right now that actually incorporate components of RPA. Some of the best RPA tools we recommend trying out include:
- UiPath: This automation platform streamlines workflows and offers AI transformation to meet your needs.
- Automation Anywhere: An excellent tool that combines AI, automation, and RPA to offer highly precise functionality.
- Blue Prism: Blue Prism uses BPM, AI, and RPA to automate with the specific goal of delivering better information at lower costs.
Web scraping using RPA can be applicable across various tools like this. We encourage you to consider what types of interactions you want the RPA to do for you. This could include filling out a form, clicking on specific links, or extracting data from static or dynamic websites.
You will also find that web scraping RPA applications can handle more challenging factors. That includes the capability of integrating scripts or handling exceptions. It is really important to think about utilizing this since many other options do not offer it. Because it does, RPA helps to improve accuracy when capturing information. Yet, with all that it does, it does not require much human interaction to get the job done.
How Can RPA and Python Web Scraping Work Together
Web scraping and RPA can work together, and can do so in a number of ways. Typically, we think of web scraping as the process of finding website URLs. That is something web scraping can do, but that’s very basic. Web scraping also often seems to mean just waiting for a basic web scraper to produce CSV or JSON files with lists of useful information.
The key to remember is that effective web scraping does more than this. It must do so to overcome the numerous challenges that are now online that can very effectively limit the effectiveness of bots.
When you consider RPA vs bots, for example, the difference is that RPA can actually take steps to overcome challenges or solve a puzzle to get beyond the challenges websites put up. Take a look at some of the following common web scraping challenges and how RPA can help you navigate beyond them.
- Navigating pages: Some of the basic web scrapers will only work on static pages. Today’s websites incorporate more dynamic pages than ever. To web scrape dynamic pages, you need tools that can navigate buttons like “load more” or a drop-down menu.
- Anti-bot measures: Many websites have sophisticated tools in place to detect mechanisms. That could include logins and puzzle-solving requirements. The key is to utilize web scraping tools that mimic human behavior. That minimizes the risk of being spotted by such a bot.
- Scrolling: Another concern with some website pages is the need to scroll and then scroll more. Tools must be able to handle large amounts of data when they are loaded to ensure all data is obtained.
There’s also the need for more human-like web scraping to happen. That means RPA screen scraping or web scraping must be able to act in a way that is more like the way a person would navigate the website and access information. Advanced tools need to be considered to achieve these goals. For example, using JavaScript rendering and browser automation frameworks is growing in importance.
How RPA Web Scraping Offers a Better Solution
RPA web scraping can provide solutions to some of the most complex concerns you face while web scraping. Each of the complexities noted previously can shut down any type of web scraping project for multiple reasons. Time-consuming, tedious tasks are one of them. RPA automates many of these complex workflows, though. It can also mimic the interactions of a human and navigate around and through dynamic elements with better performance.
RPAs can:
- Scroll through endless pages
- Click on buttons like a person would
- Use navigational menus with ease
- Navigate around website structures
- Complete tasks in seconds
RPA for web scraping is not just a benefit. It is quickly becoming an essential tool that today’s businesses need to use in order to capture the valuable information they need for decision-making. The complexity of web scraping today is that it must be automated to some degree to be comprehensive enough to be worth your time.
If you are still trying to capture information by visiting a website URL and looking up that information every day, you are wasting valuable time. A basic web scraper can help you do that. When you add RPA to web scraping tools, you can automate the complexity of these tasks so that you can capture more of the information you need with ease.
Overcoming the Detection of RPAs
One of the caveats of using any type of web scraping tool is that you need to be able to navigate without being detected. Many websites have built-in a variety of strategies that detect bots that are scraping data and stop them. There are very valid reasons for this.
For example, bots can weigh down the resources of a website, making it nearly impossible for the website to operate efficiently for all users, including authentic website users. Additionally, some websites housing specific information they do not want to share simply stop bots so they can protect that information. All of these tools that stop bots, including RPAs, can eliminate the ability to capture valuable data.
Proxies provide a solution here. When you use a proxy with RPA web scraping, you can safely navigate and automate many of the tasks you are engaging in each day and not be detected by the website. To the website, you seem to be an authentic person navigating the site, not a bot pulling information from it.
How does this work?
- Establish a connection with a proxy service. We recommend using Rayobyte’s rotating data center proxies if you plan to do a great deal of web scraping. Once you obtain this service, you will be given login information.
- Establish your RPA for web scraping as you normally would. You can use any RPA tool listed here, as well as our web scraper API, if you like.
- Once configured, the web scraping goes to work as you desire. The difference is that it runs through our proxy service before it goes to the website from which you are requesting information. It changes the IP address (which is used to identify the user of the site).
- The website responds and sends the requested information as it would to any other user. The difference is it sends that back to the IP address it came from, which is the proxy service. From there, the proxy will send the information back to your device.
This entire process offers several key benefits to those who are using RPA for web scraping. First, it allows you to protect your identity throughout this process. The end website that you are visiting and scraping does not have any information on who you are or what you are doing. It does not notice your IP address or flag it.
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Second, it allows the RPA to work with its human-like interactions without being banned. The IP address can change each time that you engage in these tasks. The website, then, has no idea it is the same bot coming back to capture this information. That means you can obtain content and use that information as you need to do so without limitations.
Why use a proxy with RPA for web scraping?
- You gain uninterrupted access to the target websites you need and want to scrape.
- You can scale your process without having to add more people to manage it
- You can scrape data in a very efficient manner, allowing you to use that information readily without limitation.
You can use this method for a wide range of applications. Use it to meet compliance monitoring. Use it for lead generation efforts to capture leads you need to use to grow your business. You can also use it to capture product information and data that could, ultimately, help you to make big business decisions with confidence. Take a look at how web scraping proxies enhance the way you can build your business. Get more information, scale at your own pace, and do so with all of the confidentiality you need.
Connect with Rayobyte for Fast, Efficient Use
If you are ready to start seeing the benefits that come from RPA web scraping, get started today. Contact Rayobyte for any help you need to establish a proxy service. You can also use our web scraping tutorials to help you get set up to start succeeding at capturing the data you need.
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