So you just bought HubSpot, now what? If I had a nickel for every time someone said, “HubSpot is so overwhelming. There’s just too much to learn, and I have no idea where to start,” I’d be lounging on a yacht somewhere right now instead of writing this blog. But alas, no one handed me those nickels, so here I am. Instead, I decided to create Sarah’s Guide to Getting Started with HubSpot—because you’ve got this, and I’m here to help you every step of the way. Don’t be intimidated; we’re in this together!
The HubSpot Resources You Need to Know About
Before we dive into setting up your shiny new HubSpot account, let’s talk about something important: resources. HubSpot is a powerful tool, but I get it—it can feel a bit like trying to drink from a firehose at first. The good news? There’s a ton of help out there, and I’m here to point you in the right direction so you can avoid the overwhelm and get straight to the good stuff.
HubSpot Academy: Your New Best Friend
What is HubSpot Academy?
Think of HubSpot Academy as the ultimate treasure trove of knowledge for everything HubSpot. It’s packed with courses, certifications, and training materials that’ll quickly turn you into a HubSpot whiz. Plus, it’s designed to be super user-friendly, so you can learn at your own pace—and hey, those certificates look pretty awesome on your LinkedIn profile too!
How Can I Access HubSpot Academy?
Whether you’re just dipping your toes in or fully immersed in HubSpot, the Academy is open to everyone. Just head over to the HubSpot Academy website, create a free account, and you’re good to go. Or, click your profile picture in the top right corner of your HubSpot account and navigate straight to HubSpot Academy. Easy peasy!
Course I Recommend:
- Inbound Certification: This is a must if you want to learn HubSpot’s customer-centric approach and get cozy with the inbound methodology. It’s the foundation of everything HubSpot stands for.
- Marketing Software Certification: Perfect for those diving into HubSpot’s Marketing Hub. You’ll learn to create campaigns, manage your marketing efforts, and analyze results.
- Sales Software Certification: If you’re all about sales, this one’s for you. Learn how to use HubSpot’s Sales Hub to manage pipelines, automate tasks, and close deals faster.
- Service Hub Software Certification: If customer support is your game, this certification will help you master HubSpot’s Service Hub to keep your customers happy.
Comprehensive HubSpot Product Playlist: Want to get the full rundown? Check out this playlist for a deep dive into the entire HubSpot product suite.
HubSpot Terminology to Understand
Before you start, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with some key HubSpot terms. Here are some handy cheat sheets to help you understand.
- HubSpot Objects Cheat Sheet – Objects are the standard entities that store data.
- HubSpot Properties Cheat Sheet – Properties are the fields within those objects that store information.
- Workflow Cheat Sheet – What is a workflow, and how can you use it?
- HubSpot Portal Cheat Sheet – This cheat sheet explains how to familiarize yourself with an existing HubSpot portal. It is handy if you are new to HubSpot but your company isn’t.
- Data Quality Cheat Sheet – Standardize the data collection process within your CRM.
HubSpot Community: You’re Not Alone
Join the HubSpot Community to connect with other users who are asking the same questions you have. It’s a great place to find answers, share tips, and not feel like you’re on this journey solo. Plus, it’s oddly comforting to see so many people venting about the same issues—don’t worry, HubSpot’s got your back. They’re constantly listening to feedback, and if you check out their Ideas page, you’ll see they’ve implemented over 1,400 suggestions from the community. Now that’s what I call a company that listens!
Key Things to Know Before You Setup Your Account
What are HubSpot Solutions Partners?
If you ever feel stuck, HubSpot Solutions Partners (like us at Holland Adhaus!) are your go-to experts. We’re here to help with everything from onboarding to ongoing strategy and optimization, ensuring you’re getting the most out of HubSpot. Why partner with a Solutions Partner? Because we live and breathe HubSpot. We can assist with complex tasks like setting up advanced workflows, customizing your CRM, and even integrating HubSpot with your other tools. Plus, if your HubSpot plan doesn’t include support, a Solutions Partner can be a lifesaver. We’re here to answer questions, solve problems, and keep your HubSpot account running smoothly.
How to Reach Out to HubSpot for Technical Support
So, you’ve hit a snag and need a little help—don’t worry, HubSpot’s support team is here to save the day. Look for the little question mark icon (?) in your HubSpot account in the top right corner. Click on it, and you’ll open the Help menu, where you can search for answers, access the knowledge base, or contact support directly. For quick answers, you can use the live chat feature right from your portal. If you’re more of a talk-it-out person, you can call HubSpot. This is an excellent option if you want to share your screen with support. Depending on your subscription level, the phone support option is available in the Help menu after clicking the question mark icon. If you prefer to write it all out, you can send an email to HubSpot support directly from the Help menu, and they’ll get back to you with a solution.
Pro Tip: If your plan doesn’t include the level of support you need, or if you want extra help with customization and strategy, that’s where we at Holland Adhaus can step in. As a HubSpot Solutions Partner, we’re here to provide the personalized support and expertise you need to get the most out of HubSpot—no matter your plan level.
HubSpot Developer Slack Community
If you’re building your website in HubSpot or working on a custom integration you may run into questions that are a bit too technical for support to answer. Support may recommend contacting other HubSpot users through the HubSpot Developer Slack. The HubSpot Developer Slack is a vibrant space where developers worldwide come together to support each other and collaborate on all things HubSpot. Launched in 2016, this community has grown into a hub of hundreds of active developers sharing their knowledge, solving problems, and helping each other make the most of the HubSpot platform. Even though I’m not a developer myself, I joined the HubSpot Developer Slack community just to stay connected and see what other users are talking about. Whether you’re just starting your journey as a HubSpot developer or a seasoned pro, this Slack community is for you. You can create a free account to join this channel if you’re not using Slack already.
What is a Marketing Contact?
Okay, here’s something super important: Marketing Contacts. Why? Because this could affect your bill, and trust me, you don’t want any surprises. HubSpot has tiers for marketing contacts, and once you move up a tier, there’s no going back (or lowering your bill) until your contract renews.
Types of Contacts:
- Marketing Contacts: These are the folks you can send marketing emails to and target with ads—whether manually or through automation, depending on your subscription.
- Non-Marketing Contacts: These contacts can’t receive marketing emails or be targeted with ads. They’re just along for the ride (but don’t cost extra).
Now That You’re Ready, Let’s Dive In!
You’ve lined up your resources and got a feel for what HubSpot can do, and now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get started. Here are 7 things you should do first to set up your HubSpot account and hit the ground running:
- Connect Your Email and Calendar
- First things first, sync up your email and calendar with HubSpot. Don’t forget to re-add your email signature and install the HubSpot email extension for Chrome (or whatever email host you use).
- Import Your Data
- Use HubSpot’s import tool to bring in your contacts, companies, deals, and any other relevant data. Pro tip: Make sure your data is clean and organized before importing to avoid headaches later on.
- Customize Your CRM
- Set up your contact properties, sales pipeline, and any custom fields that make sense for your business. This is where you start making HubSpot work for you.
- Set Up Email Templates and Branding
- Upload your logo, set your brand colors, and create email templates that match your brand’s look and feel. This will save you tons of time in the future.
- Create Dashboards for Reporting
- Start with the premade reports HubSpot offers—these are great for getting a feel for what you can track. Once you’re comfortable, you can dive into building your custom reports.
- Install HubSpot Tracking Code
- Don’t forget to add HubSpot’s tracking code to your website. This is how you’ll track analytics and see how visitors interact with your site.
- Add Users and Assign Permissions
- If you’re working with a team, invite them to HubSpot and assign the right permissions. Make sure they also connect their calendars and emails to keep everything synced.
You’ve Got This!
Setting up HubSpot might seem daunting at first–I’ve been there–but with the right resources and a solid plan, you’ll be mastering it in no time. And remember, you’re not alone—whether it’s HubSpot Academy, the Community, or us at Holland Adhaus, there’s plenty of help available. Now, let’s get started and turn HubSpot into your business’s secret weapon!
Ready for a deeper dive? Contact our HubSpot experts at Holland Adhaus to make sure your account is set up for success!
Sarah Ganote
HubSpot Specialist, Holland Adhaus
Empowering Your Business with HubSpot Mastery and Marketing Finesse!
