I've been using HubSpot since September 2020, and my experience has been nothing short of transformative. Prior to that, I was a dedicated Salesforce user, but after exploring what HubSpot had to offer, I was quickly convinced that this CRM was more than just a viable alternative—it was a game-changer. The switch from Salesforce wasn’t merely a change in tools, it completely revolutionised the way I approach CRM and marketing automation.
In this blog post, I’ll share some of the most valuable insights I’ve gained along the way. If you’re considering HubSpot for your business or simply looking to get more out of the platform, I hope these reflections help you maximise its potential.
why HubSpot?
HubSpot stands out for one core reason: simplicity without sacrificing power. The platform’s intuitive interface makes it accessible for a range of users—from seasoned marketers to beginners. For me, the speed and efficiency HubSpot offers have changed the way I work, particularly in the CMS and marketing automation spaces.
Fast, intuitive CMS
One of the things I love most about HubSpot is its lightning-fast CMS. Switching between pages, uploading imagery, and linking content are all seamless experiences. This speed is complemented by an intuitive user interface, which I’ve found comparable to page builders like WordPress’s Visual Composer or Elementor. It’s not overly complicated but offers enough flexibility for someone who is a bit more technical.
Adding pages, posts, and landing pages is straightforward, and customising headers and footers is incredibly easy. Forms? No problem! HubSpot’s form builder eliminates the stress of wondering if your form submissions are being captured reliably—because they are, every time.
Performance
Performance is another area where HubSpot shines. Straight out of the box, without any additional optimisations, I’ve been able to achieve a performance score of 89/100 on mobile and 95/100 on desktop. This level of performance is usually difficult to achieve without some technical tweaking, but HubSpot delivers it from day one. I haven’t even begun to implement improvements, but I’ll certainly report back when I do.
SSL
If you’ve ever struggled with SSL configuration on other platforms, HubSpot will feel like a breath of fresh air. SSL is included and activated without any configuration on your part, making it the simplest SSL setup I’ve ever encountered. In today’s online environment, ensuring security for your visitors is non-negotiable, and HubSpot handles this effortlessly.
HubSpot GA4 integration in CMS Hub
Integrating Google Analytics 4 (GA4) into HubSpot’s CMS Hub couldn’t be more straightforward. Once you’ve set up your GA4 property in Google Analytics, simply drop the tracking ID into the settings and you’re good to go. Just head to Settings > Tools > Website > Pages > Integrations, and it’s done in a matter of minutes. This kind of ease of integration saves time and effort, letting you focus on what really matters—growing your business.
Email marketing
One of HubSpot’s standout features is its email marketing capabilities. The drag-and-drop email editor is user-friendly and allows for seamless integration with CRM data, enabling you to send highly personalised campaigns. You can also use HubSpot’s automated workflows to nurture leads without needing any manual input, saving time and resources while keeping prospects engaged.
Social media management
HubSpot’s social media management tools allow you to schedule posts, monitor social conversations, and measure the performance of your content all in one place. This unified view of social activity alongside your CRM data can give you deeper insights into your audience's behaviour and help you refine your strategy to drive more engagement. You will however require a paid subscription to manage your socials.
Redirects
Of course, no platform is perfect, and HubSpot has its limitations, particularly in the free version of the CMS Hub. One downside I’ve encountered is the lack of 301 URL redirects, which can be a bit of a challenge if you’re managing a site with regular URL changes. However, this limitation is removed in the paid version, which starts at just £22 per month. While the free version is impressive, the small cost for the starter package is a worthwhile investment for most businesses looking to manage their URLs more effectively.
Redirect
Switching to HubSpot has been a defining moment in my CRM and marketing automation journey. Its intuitive interface, fast CMS, and powerful features make it a standout option, even when compared to larger platforms like Salesforce. The ease of use, strong performance metrics, and built-in integrations like GA4 have transformed how I operate and allowed me to focus more on strategy rather than troubleshooting.
For businesses considering the switch, I wholeheartedly recommend HubSpot. And if you’re already using it, I encourage you to explore the full depth of its features. From forms to performance, HubSpot provides the tools you need to scale effectively without the usual headaches.
Stay tuned as I continue to refine my use of HubSpot, and I’ll report back with any new discoveries! Learn more about my HubSpot expertise here.
Are you ready to start your HubSpot journey, then get in touch.
