HubSpot Implementation Guide: 5 Steps to Success
So you’ve decided to invest in HubSpot. Your team is excited at the new opportunity, but you’re worried about getting everyone taught and trained properly on the new tech.
I get it because many of our clients have been there, and the Evenbound team has been there ourselves. HubSpot is an incredible platform and is renowned for its ease of use, but change often comes with a learning curve and HubSpot implementation is no exception.
Don’t fret, though. We’ve all made it through and are now seeing great results in HubSpot. You can too. Here’s what you need to know to make sure you’re implementing HubSpot the right way, the first time.
HubSpot Implementation Checklist for Success: 5 Tips & Tricks
HubSpot implementation is the process of setting up your new HubSpot portal in the way that’s most helpful for your team. (More information on that definition and what it includes here.) But it doesn’t really stop there. Once you’ve set up the portal, you’ll also have to train your team on how to use it and encourage them to continue doing so.
Sound like a lot to take on? Use the guidelines below to help you through.
1. Make It a Priority
You won’t learn HubSpot without any effort, and nor will your team. It’s important for everyone who will be using the platform to set aside the necessary time to be involved in the implementation process.
I know, I know. Things pop up, and you can’t spend every minute of your workday figuring out HubSpot. I’m not asking you to. While some team members will have to put more effort in than others, especially during the discovery and setup process, a good rule of thumb is to ask the rest of your team to spend just five to fifteen minutes learning the platform each day.
This may look like asynchronous learning, regularly scheduled meetings to explore new tools together, or something completely different. Whatever works for your team and gets them into and excited about HubSpot will help you all make the most of your investment.
Key Takeaway
Don't put HubSpot on the back burner. You invested a lot of time and money in the platform, and it will only provide a return if you're committed to using it!
2. Set Clear Goals & Expectations
Prior to any work being done, it’s important to set goals and expectations for your HubSpot implementation. Some of this may have been completed when you were determining if HubSpot was a good fit for your company, but it’s important to make your thoughts clear and document them. That way, you have something to work toward and you will know how to measure success.
So, what does success look like to you as it relates to HubSpot? What’s your endgame? What are the key metrics that you’ll be looking for? How will you keep your team aligned and motivated to work toward them? Your goals and expectations will set the tone for the rest of your project, so it’s worth setting aside time to work through your answers to these questions with your team.
Key Takeaway
Defining business goals and project-specific goals is a critical first step that will determine the success of your implementation moving forward. Spend adequate time nailing these down before you start on anything else.
3. Create your Roadmap
There are a lot of parts and pieces involved in the process of moving to a new platform — from importing contacts to creating reports and templates, setting up deal stages, and more. The best way to make sure everything is accounted for is to create a plan.
What to include in said plan? Some ideas:
- Delegated HubSpot administrator, or HubSpot champion (who’s running this show?)
- Task breakdown sheet that includes:
- Key tasks and subtasks, with dependencies
- Key team members or assignees
- Task due dates and time estimates
- Key project milestones
- Budget
- Resource allocation
With all of these criteria defined, your team will have a clearer understanding of what they’re responsible for, and how they’ll accomplish getting those items done. It can also help get them more on board and invested in the new software!
Key Takeaway
As they say: fail to plan, plan to fail. Make a detailed plan for each step of the implementation process and make sure to cover all your whos, hows, whys, and whens.
4. Keep Up With It!
A plan only works if you stick with it. It can be easy to get defeated when learning something new, but true results will only happen if you push on.
One suggestion for a more seamless effort is to make it easy for your team to live in HubSpot. This could mean doing all of your reporting in HubSpot and scheduling meetings via the HubSpot portal when you can. Better yet, since HubSpot has so many robust tools and features, this could also help eliminate some unnecessary or clunky items from your tech stack!
Key Takeaway
It's impossible to implement and learn HubSpot fully in just a day, week, or month. In fact, even long-time HubSpotters have to learn new tools as they're rolled out. Continuous learning is key!
5. Get HubSpot Partner Support
Overwhelmed in the face of tackling a HubSpot implementation on your own? Most are. Getting help from certified and accredited experts can help.
At Evenbound, we’re a HubSpot Diamond Solutions Partner with multiple HubSpot Certified Trainers on staff. We have a proven implementation process that we’ve successfully used for dozens of clients in various industries. We’ll handle most of the heavy lifting for you, then train your team to use the platform in the way that will best help you achieve your goals.
We’re real people focused on getting you real results. We’re truly excited about all HubSpot has to offer, and we’re here to help get your team excited too! Take the first step toward growth and get in touch today.
