Doing a HubSpot Integration? Here’s How to Find the Right HubSpot-Accredited Provider

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing and customer relationship management, HubSpot produces one of the most powerful solutions for streamlining operations. Though HubSpot offers a wide variety of features on its own, its true potential (and yours) is in custom integrations that cater to specific business needs.

Whether your organization is a startup or an established enterprise, working with the right HubSpot integrations provider is key to optimizing your workflows and achieving your business goals. But what makes a perfect partner? Glad you asked. Let’s unpack that.

The Importance of HubSpot Integration

Picture this: All of your data is scattered across different platforms, making it difficult to manage and track. That’s where HubSpot comes in with a unified solution for sales, marketing, and customer relationship management. Integrating HubSpot with your existing tech stack allows you to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and gain valuable insights. 

But where do you start? Hint: Find a pro.

The Search Begins

Finding the right custom integrations provider, like finding the right mechanic or accountant, can be daunting. A provider must understand your unique business needs and deliver seamless integration. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your search:

1. Assess Your Requirements

Before you start looking, define your HubSpot integration goals and prioritize your needs. Do you need an integration that performs several functions or one specific function? Do you require a provider with industry-specific security or data privacy regulations? Clearly defining your objectives will help you narrow your options and find the best-fit provider.

2. Look for HubSpot Accreditation

When it comes to integrations, accreditation matters. Official HubSpot accreditation serves as a quality assurance stamp, offering reassurance that providers have the expertise and experience to handle complex integrations successfully.

Look for providers with HubSpot’s Platform Enablement, Custom Integration, Data Migration, and Solutions Architecture Design accreditations. These are testaments to a provider’s expertise and proficiency and reflect its ability to leverage cutting-edge technology. (They’re also what make us a fully accredited HubSpot agency—wink.)

3. Check Their Track Record

Do some detective work! Research the provider’s portfolio for insights into its expertise level and projects it has completed. Read client testimonials for valuable perspectives on performance, reliability, and their ability to meet expectations. Specifically, focus on success stories that align with your business objectives. 

Choosing a custom integrations provider is like selecting a dance partner—a successful partnership requires synchronization, communication, and innovative collaboration. By analyzing track records, you’ll be better positioned to choose a provider that can seamlessly integrate with your business processes and contribute to your success.

The Perfect Match

Now that you have a shortlist of potential providers, it’s time to find “The One.” Consider the following factors to make sure a provider is right fit for your business:

Expertise

Does the provider possess a deep understanding of HubSpot and its integration capabilities? Go beyond the basics. Look for providers with extensive knowledge and experience building custom integrations.

Capacity

Does the provider have what it takes to meet your needs? Can it focus on your integration while managing other projects? Take an agency like SmartBug, for example. With 300-plus employees, we have the necessary resources and bandwidth to deliver custom integrations effectively.

Communication

Need we say it? OK, we will: Communication is key! You want a partner who listens and understands your needs. The provider should be responsive, open to collaboration, and transparent throughout the integration process. Clear documentation and the ability to explain technical concepts are essential communication traits.

Customization

In this case, one size does not fit all. Prioritize providers that offer high levels of customization. Look for the flexibility to tailor integrations for your specific needs and adapt seamlessly to existing systems, workflows, and processes. A provider skilled in customization ensures the integration will align perfectly with your unique business requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing the wrong partner can result in a huge investment of time and capital with no results. No one wants that! Be mindful of these common mistakes during your search:

1. Not Taking Planning Seriously Enough

Clients often approach us with a desire to connect HubSpot with their ERP system but without clear insight into their business processes. For example, Sales often starts processes in HubSpot. When they need a precise quote, they shift tasks to their ERP system where they can apply the necessary business rules for project quoting. 

Your integrations partner needs to understand how leads work, who does what when a lead is generated, and which system owns the process. With this information, the partner can accurately assess your project requirements and provide a meaningful quote that adds value to your business.

2. Neglecting Research 

Relying on surface-level information is a critical mistake. Dive into the provider’s portfolios, client testimonials, and case studies to get a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities. In-depth research will guide you to providers that precisely align with your needs, reducing the risk of lost time and money due to system issues, malfunctions, or disruptions.

3. Overlooking Compatibility

“Compatible: capable of existing together in harmony.” What the dictionary doesn’t tell you is that overlooking compatibility in your search for a custom integrations provider can lead to future functionality challenges. Ensure the provider has experience with the specific HubSpot custom integrations you need.

4. Ignoring Client Feedback

Would you decide to visit a new restaurant without considering its reviews? We hope not. Learn from the experiences of other businesses that have worked with the provider. Identify feedback patterns to gauge the provider’s reliability, communication skills, and ability to meet expectations.

5. Neglecting Scalability

Make sure the integrations the provider creates are scalable to accommodate your expanding business needs. Failure to plan for scalability could result in costly future overhauls. By addressing this during the selection process, you avoid becoming the business that faces unnecessary hurdles and expenses down the line (no one wants to be that guy).

6. Failing to Clarify Costs and Timelines

Unclear communication about costs and project timelines is a common mistake that can lead to misunderstandings. Before entering into an agreement, take time to clearly define the scope of work, associated costs, and expected timelines for integration. This proactive approach helps manage expectations and eliminates the potential for unwelcome surprises during the integration process.

Making the Final Decision

Congratulations—you’re almost there! It’s time to assess your shortlisted providers. Consider factors including cost, timeline, ongoing support, and any supplementary services they offer. If you’ve done thorough research, you have all the information you need to make an informed decision that will ensure a successful integration and a valuable, long-term partnership.

Whether you’re facing disorganized data and misaligned teams or systemic ERP limitations, a reliable partner can use their specialized knowledge to implement a sustainable strategy to set you up for success.

Ready? Set. Integrate!

Ready to streamline your workflow and grow your business? SmartBug Media^® is your trusted integrations partner. We can help you develop tailored HubSpot integrations that connect diverse data and enhance your operational efficiency. We’re ready when you are! Contact our team, and let’s grow together.