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What to expect during a typical HubSpot agency onboarding process

2 mins read

And the winner is… HubSpot. 

You’ve decided that inbound marketing is for you and HubSpot is the platform you’ll utilise to deliver it. Honestly, that’s a fantastic choice. But there’s still one final decision to make before you can crack on. 

How are you going to complete the onboarding process - by yourself or with an agency? Here’s what to expect either way. 

A typical HubSpot agency onboarding process

Screw it. We don’t need onboarding

That’s a bold strategy. 

The choice here is between HubSpot’s existing onboarding program and support from an agency. Jumping straight into the deep end isn’t really an option here. To make the switch to HubSpot and get everyone up to speed, you need the onboarding process to be as detailed and effective as possible. 

HubSpot is an innovative and flexible platform. To unlock its potential and get the absolute most from it, you can’t waste time with missteps as you get to grips with it. You need to hit the ground running and for that to happen, a thorough onboarding process is crucial.  

We’ll just use HubSpot’s standard onboarding program

Good idea!

There are different levels of onboarding from HubSpot depending on the plan you choose. Having said that, all of them include the same basic support to get you on your way. 

You’ll be assigned a HubSpot Implementation Specialist who’s helped other businesses like yours to get started. They’ll stick around for the first 90 days of your subscription to ease any teething problems and answer the long list of questions you’ll inevitably have in the beginning.

They can assist with the first inbound campaign you choose to run and offer advice on the integrations you’ll need to achieve success. The App Marketplace has a huge range of integrations available so their guidance here is especially useful. 

The program also features technical setup assistance to help you setup your portal. Switching to a new platform usually presents a few technical hiccups, so it’s useful to have an expert on-hand who can ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Less good

HubSpot’s Implementation Specialist will provide expert advice to your team, offering guidance on the work you’re carrying out. But that’s the crucial part - the work that you’re doing. They’ll be available to give support but it’s you that has to get to grips with everything and implement HubSpot. 

This is admittedly a good way of learning HubSpot but it can lead to avoidable errors and project delays. The quicker everything is up and running, the quicker you’ll start to reap the benefits. 

It’s also important to consider - do you have an existing team that has the skills, capacity and know-how to carry out an implementation like this? If the answer is no, then are you perhaps biting off more than you can chew?

Do we actually need a HubSpot agency’s help?

The onboarding process varies from agency to agency, so you’ve that choice to think about too. For the purpose of this blog, we’ll focus on the typical services that agencies offer. 

Find a HubSpot Partner to work with and they’ll be by your side throughout the process. They’ll take care of the technical setup of your portal and all of the small yet vital tasks that need sorting - things like tracking codes, social integrations and time zones. 

The experienced team over at the agency can assist with huge contact imports so that your database is available in HubSpot’s CRM. They’ll also carry out any CRM customisation bits and pieces you need doing, like custom fields, dashboards, automated tasks etc. 

Whatever you need from them, from sales enablement services to template design, an agency will carry out this work for you. This means work is completed faster and with greater accuracy because they’ve done all this before for other clients. 

You can expect them to be on hand to help with anything you need. To upskill your team, an agency can educate while tasks are worked on. This allows your marketers to learn HubSpot without the risk of mistakes being made. 

Unlike the one-size-fits-all onboarding program, an agency can tailor its services to your business. Find a HubSpot Partner who is willing to work closely with you to understand the specific challenges you’re currently facing. That way, they can advise HubSpot integrations and hubs that are right for you. 

In conclusion…

Agencies can offer a deeper understanding of your challenges and aims, delivering HubSpot solutions that are right for you. 

The onboarding program is an off-the-shelf option that doesn’t take into account any of the intricacies associated with your business. It requires the full attention of your existing team and important steps can be missed because it’s a new platform that you’re unfamiliar with. 

HubSpot agencies eat, sleep and breathe HubSpot implementations. They know the pitfalls to avoid and the shortcuts that will save you a lot of time and energy in the future. There are around 4,000 agencies worldwide who are on hand to help, so bear in mind that services can differ from one to another. 

HubSpot essentials that are important to know

If you’re getting started with HubSpot, then do yourself a favour and download our free essentials guide. It’s packed with time-saving tips and tricks that will make the process a smooth one.

Get your copy now using the link below and start creating your first inbound marketing campaign.