HubSpot is a (cloud-based) software platform that helps commercial teams effectively drive more website visitors, leads and (satisfied) customers. It offers three main platforms: Sales (a CRM and sales tools), Marketing (Marketing Automation software) and Services. HubSpot also has its own CMS.
Organizations can purchase licenses for these "hubs" separately, but the platforms are built to talk to each other and thus can be fully integrated for optimal results. So it's fair to say that HubSpot is a true all-in-one platform:
The software has many available links and APIs. Some of the CRM platforms that can be linked to HubSpot include Salesforce, SugarCRM, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
But so are many other smart Marketing and Sales tools that HubSpot can be linked to such as Zapier, SurveyMonkey, Eventbrite, Hotjar, Shopify and more. Check out the links and integrations "HubSpot Connect" library here. This allows commercial teams to have their existing software talk to HubSpot and exchange data to create closed loop reporting.
HubSpot is an American-origin platform founded in 2006 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah (met as graduate students at MIT), who to this day still lead the organization as CEO and CTO. It is headquartered in Boston, USA, and its European headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland.
HubSpot also relies on the Inbound methodology, which starts from attracting your potential customers by helping them in their customer journey: pull (diametrically opposed to outbound, which actually "pushes" information to recipients. HubSpot strongly believes that customers today do their own research on products and services and decide when to consume content.
The term "Inbound" was claimed by HubSpot's founders, and the entire platform and organization breathe this methodology. HubSpot originally started from a Marketing point of view, stating that Marketing, if well thought out and set up according to the right processes, can make a very valuable contribution to attracting more website visitors and good, qualified leads for Sales.
Soon HubSpot launched the free CRM platform because they claim that Marketing and Sales cannot achieve success without each other. Their software is fully equipped to apply Inbound Marketing and Sales strategies:
With Inbound Marketing, the marketing department gets more good website visitors and leads and "nurtures" or feeds the lead with valuable content through the funnel (being present at the right time with the right content, through the right channels and with the right audience), so Sales can start a conversation with leads who are far enough along in the buying journey. Read more about the Inbound Marketing methodology here.
In addition, Sales can follow an Inbound Sales methodology that helps them identify the right leads (this can be done passively, by leads provided by Marketing but also Actively, by working the market themselves), with promising leads to make a connection. Read more about the Inbound Sales methodology here.
HubSpot's marketing hub consists of a very complete Marketing Automation platform. Marketing can structure activities, automate them and provide insight with reports. The marketer can get started themselves; very little IT knowledge is required to get started with HubSpot.
In addition, HubSpot's CMS. When you build - or have built - a website on HubSpot's CMS, you are not setting up a stand-alone product, but an entire content platform. Analytics and reporting thus becomes very easy.
The important features of the Marketing Automation platform are:
For Sales professionals, HubSpot offers the (free) CRM. There is also Sales Professional, which are separate Sales tools. The Sales professional can work much more efficiently and has all customers and prospects in one place. With this CRM, Sales can more easily keep a grip on leads and ongoing deals.
Key features of the CRM include:
The main functions of Sales Professional (which you can use in combination with the CRM, not separately) are:
Originally, HubSpot started as a platform for Marketers, and specifically for SMEs. They are still known to the general public for that today. However, in recent years they have made great strides to fulfill all the needs for larger companies as well. They are well on their way to becoming the best SaaS party on the market in the field of Sales, Marketing and Services.
The launch of HubSpot Enterprise tools shows that they are creating a serious platform for organizations that operate in multiple countries or have multiple business units, or are part of a group. These organizations want to work in the same system, but need differentiation in key data and assets.
The image above shows that HubSpot expanded the Enterprise suite to include the Sales and Service hub during the INBOUND event in September 2018. Meanwhile, in the Enterprise suite, it is also possible to:
There are several independent websites that compare providers of Marketing Automation platforms and CRMs. Here you can often also apply relevant filters such as company size. For example:
There are several partners in the Netherlands that help get your tooling up and running properly. These are categorized - based on customer satisfaction - by:
With HubSpot Marketing and Sales software, you have all the tools you need to generate more traffic, leads and customers. But you don't have to use HubSpot and Inbound Marketing and Sales optimally on your own. A HubSpot partner can help you grow effectively in the digital age.
There are several HubSpot partners to help get your tooling up and running properly. These are categorized - based on customer satisfaction - by (from low to high): Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Elite. Webs is the first HubSpot Elite Partner in the Benelux and one of the #5 partners worldwide.
Find out in a demo which Marketing and Sales tools from HubSpot will help you achieve your commercial growth plans. Click here to learn more about the HubSpot Demo.