Meet HubSpot. It’s like the Swiss army knife of CRM tools – packed with features to amp up your marketing, sales, and service game.
It’s got an interface so smooth, even a newbie can navigate it like a pro.
Now, let’s be real.
When it comes to flexibility, HubSpot might not be the gymnast compared to the high-flying acrobatics of Salesforce and Zoho. It’s got its own rhythm and sometimes, that means not as much room for freestyle.
But wait, there’s a twist. Say hello to HubSpot Pro.
It’s like HubSpot’s cool sibling who’s learned some new tricks. With Pro, you can integrate like a boss and bend those rules a bit more, adding a nice dash of flexibility to the mix.
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Standard Limitations of HubSpot: An Overview
HubSpot boasts some commendable strengths, but it isn’t without its limitations. These become apparent when you delve into its structure. HubSpot primarily operates with:
- Contacts: For storing data related to individuals
- Companies: For holding information about companies
- Deals: For managing potential and closed sales
- Tickets: For keeping track of customer issues
These “standard objects” provide a solid foundation for CRM operations and are like predefined containers for specific types of data. However, their adaptability might not measure up to the ‘custom objects’ of platforms like Salesforce.
Take this scenario: Suppose your business needs to manage unique data objects like warranty claims or event registrations. In such cases, HubSpot’s framework might seem restrictive as customization in data management is limited.
Or suppose a business wants to track “Licenses” or “Subscriptions” as distinct entities. In CRM platforms like Salesforce or Zoho, one can create custom objects for these entities, but in HubSpot, there’s no direct equivalent.
You would have to repurpose one of the standard objects or use custom properties, which may not always be ideal.
Breaking Barriers with HubSpot Pro
The narrative shifts with HubSpot Pro. This upgrade allows users to stretch the capabilities of the standard objects in alignment with their business requirements.
For instance, HubSpot Pro empowers you to:
- Integrate ‘Inventory’ with standard objects: Enhances inventory management.
- Sync ‘Ship tos’: Improves shipping data processing.
- Incorporate ‘Sales Orders’: Streamlines sales order management.
Think of it as reshuffling the furniture within a room to suit your preferences, all within the existing structural guidelines.
While HubSpot Pro may not grant the liberty of creating entirely new data objects, it enables existing ones to be leveraged more effectively. Despite some boundaries, it equips businesses to extract the maximum potential from their CRM—a compelling proposition indeed.
Pro Integration Point 1: Inventory Management
To integrate inventory data with HubSpot Pro, one needs to use an HubSpot and ERP integration tool like Commercient SYNC that supports HubSpot Pro. Once set up, your ERP system will sync your inventory data with HubSpot, allowing you to access real-time inventory levels right within your CRM.
The benefits?
Real-time inventory tracking: Say goodbye to guesswork. Know your precise stock levels anytime, anywhere.
Enhanced sales forecasting: Armed with accurate inventory information, sales forecasting is a breeze.
Improved customer relations: No more disappointing customers with out-of-stock news. Give them real-time product availability updates, and see customer trust skyrocket.
Pro Integration Point 2: Shipping Information Management
Next up is shipping data, also known as ‘Ship tos’. Integration of this data can be achieved with the help of HubSpot’s APIs or a third-party integration tool. Once integrated, ‘Ship tos’ from your ERP will sync with HubSpot Pro, ensuring all your shipping data is stored centrally.
The advantages?
Efficient order processing: With shipping data in one place, your sales and distribution teams can work more seamlessly.
Stellar customer communication: Keep your customers in the loop with instant shipping status updates and delivery times.
Pro Integration Point 3: Sales Order Management
The process of integrating sales order data with HubSpot Pro is akin to the inventory data integration. Utilizing a data integration platform like Commercient SYNC that supports HubSpot Pro, sales orders can be synced with HubSpot’s Deals object, providing real-time insights into the sales pipeline.
The perks of this integration include:
Immaculate order accuracy: Any changes in the ERP automatically reflect in HubSpot, minimizing errors.
Elevated customer satisfaction: Customers love prompt updates on their orders. Delivering that equals a winning edge for your business.
Maximizing HubSpot Pro: Best Practices
Mastering HubSpot Pro requires more than just understanding its features. The real magic happens when you apply best practices for successful integration. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re maximizing the potential of HubSpot Pro:
Understanding the Limitations and Strengths: Acknowledge the inherent constraints of HubSpot, like its fixed structure of standard objects, while also recognizing the areas where it shines—like ease of use and data consistency. This knowledge can help guide your integration process.
Smart Use of APIs and Connectors: HubSpot Pro offers a range of APIs and connectors to integrate with various systems, like ERPs. Make sure to utilize these tools effectively, ensuring that the sync between systems is as seamless as possible.
Leveraging Custom Properties: While you can’t create new data objects, you can add custom properties to existing ones. This offers a workaround to introduce additional data into your CRM.
Continuous Data Clean-up: Regularly audit and clean your data to maintain its accuracy and relevance. Remember, your CRM is only as good as the data it holds.
Training Your Team: A tool is only as good as the person using it. Make sure your team is well-versed with HubSpot Pro’s capabilities and integrations.
Despite some of its constraints, remember HubSpot is only different than other CRMs, not lesser.
HubSpot Pro is Just a Different Choice
It’s essential to remember that HubSpot Pro isn’t a lesser choice—it’s just different.
It’s all about perspective.
While it may not offer the same level of customization as some other CRMs, it offers an ease-of-use and simplicity that many businesses value.
Its ‘standard objects’ model also has a key benefit: it reduces complexity.
By limiting the options, HubSpot ensures that data is organized in a consistent, understandable way. This can make your team’s work easier and more efficient, especially if your business fits neatly within the four standard objects.
Moreover, for those who want a little more flexibility, HubSpot Pro allows additional integration capabilities within these standard objects.
HubSpot Pro isn’t about fitting square pegs into round holes.
It’s about understanding the shape of your business processes and figuring out how they can best fit into the existing structure
So while HubSpot may not offer the ‘freedom’ of a fully customizable model, it still offers powerful tools to manage and track your business relationships effectively.
Remember, the tool is just a means to an end. What truly matters is how you use it. With the right approach, you can turn HubSpot Pro’s perceived constraints into your strategic advantages.
Embarking on your HubSpot Pro journey? Need personalized advice? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and learn more about our Udemy course and HubSpot Onboarding Program. Let’s unlock HubSpot Pro’s potential for your business together.