In Austria and Germany alone there are about 500 agencies providing HubSpot services. That is a lot to choose from. How can you make the decision to select the right partner for your needs? What should you take into account? And what could possibly go wrong?
Based upon the experience from our own projects, projects we have declined, and projects where we had to clean up after someone else left a mess, we have compiled a checklist to help you make this critical choice.
Does the HubSpot Partner understand my Business Needs, Goals and Processes?
When you’re on the hunt for a HubSpot partner, it’s crucial to find one that grasps the unique aspects of your business. They should be curious about your company’s objectives, familiar with your industry and company size, and willing to tailor their service to fit your workflow.
Ask potential partners how they would align their approach with your business goals and processes, and listen for detailed plans rather than generic responses.
An ideal partner will have a proven track record of solving similar business challenges and be able to not just automate your existing processes, but help you to improve them.
What is the Partner's HubSpot Expertise?
HubSpot has evolved over the years to a broad and multi-faceted platform. Hardly any partner will know the complete platform inside out.
Understanding what modules you need and what the partner’s expertise in these areas is. Ask about their certifications and the level of partnership they have with HubSpot. This will give you an idea of their commitment to excellence within the platform.
It is critical to see examples of successful HubSpot implementations they’ve completed. This will help you gauge their technical capabilities and creative use of the platform to achieve business outcomes.
HubSpot Content Hub: Content management system for simple website creation and optimization without programming knowledge.
HubSpot Marketing Hub: Platform for marketing automation, email distribution, lead generation and lead nurturing.
HubSpot Operations Hub: Tool for data integration, synchronization and automation across different platforms.
What is the HubSpot Partner's Approach to Customer Success?
Customer success should be at the core of any HubSpot partner’s service offering. Inquire about how they measure success and the support structures they have in place.
A great partner will not just focus on implementing solutions but will also assist you in driving a solid change management to ensure your team is equipped to use HubSpot effectively.
Discuss their training methodologies, ongoing support options, and how they handle issues when they arise. The right partner will be proactive in ensuring that your business reaps the full benefits of the HubSpot platform and you stay in control of your platform.
Be wary of ‘quick onboarding’ offers. Implementing HubSpot is a journey that doesn’t end after a few days of customising fields and running a few imports. It’s critical that you choose a partner who will be with you for the long haul, including the time ahead when you can (and probably will) face more complex hurdles.
Which critical applications need to be integrated?
A solid CRM system can replace quite some applications and, in most cases, lots of Excel ‘databases’, however, some legacy applications will remain: a backend ERP system, an accounting platform, etc.
This is a particular technical challenge that might require custom development, a skill that only a small subset of HubSpot partners can offer. If this is revelant for your project, you might inquire about the partner’s Hubspot Custom Integration Accreditation and the specific competencies of the developers.
It’s also worth discussing their approach to data migration and system compatibility to ensure a smooth transition to the HubSpot ecosystem with minimal disruption to your business.
HubSpot Sales Hub: Sales software for automating and optimizing the sales process.
HubSpot Service Hub: Platform for customer service and support to improve customer satisfaction.
HubSpot Commerce Hub: integrates payment processing, subscriptions and invoices in HubSpot CRM
Does it feel right? Assessing Cultural Fit, Communication and Pricing
The cultural fit between your company and your HubSpot partner is fundamental to a successful collaboration. Discuss communication styles and frequency to ensure they match your expectations. Transparency is the key,
so understand their reporting system and how they will keep you informed about progress and results. Finally, get a clear understanding of their pricing structure. It should be transparent, provide value for money, and fit within your budget. Be wary of partners who are not upfront about costs or who offer ‘fix fee’ onboarding packages that seem too good to be true: you might end up with ‘just a tool’, instead of a powerful enabler of your business goals.
Summary
A CRM platform choice is a long term commitment and our experience has shown that HubSpot is a fantastic choice for businesses of of all kinds. By focusing on these key questions, you can select a CRM implementation partner that will effectively support your company’s needs and contribute to the long-term success of your CRM strategy.
Growth Ninjas has been a Platinum HubSpot Solutions Partner since 2017 and is the #1 partner in Austria and Germany with the Custom Development Accreditation.
