If you're looking to purchase HubSpot, then you're definitely on the right track to growing your business. But there are plenty of things you should consider first before getting started. You must decide whether you'll be choosing direct onboarding with HubSpot or onboarding with a HubSpot partner agency. In this post, we will walk you through the ins and outs of HubSpot onboarding as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option. 

Why Do You Need HubSpot Onboarding? 

Using HubSpot for the first time can be overwhelming. If you don't know how to use the software, you won't be able to fully reap its benefits. With HubSpot onboarding, you're getting the most out of your HubSpot investment. So HubSpot onboarding is like a user's manual, which aims to help you use the software correctly and have a solid understanding of its capabilities. What's more, you have the ability to choose between a HubSpot consultant or an agency's team member to help guide you whenever you need help.

What Does Direct HubSpot Onboarding Look Like? 

With direct HubSpot onboarding, an Implementation Specialist will be assigned to you and your team. They will help you set up the platform and answer any questions you may have. They will also help you with your first inbound marketing campaign and suggest the best tools to use to achieve the best results.

Here's a general overview of what direct HubSpot onboarding entails:

• 90 days of onboarding
• An assigned Implementation Specialist
• Discovery call session 
• Consulting to discuss technical setup and any implementation issues 
• Advice on integrations 
• Guidance with your HubSpot Setup
• Ongoing support through HubSpot's general support system

Direct HubSpot onboarding allows businesses to consult directly with a HubSpot employee. Unfortunately, communication can be limited, depending on the plan you purchased. So you'll likely be taking care of most of the actual HubSpot onboarding. Also, your team will probably have to learn the data migration process and adjust your timelines to allow enough time to get used to HubSpot and its tools and features. 

To sum up, direct HubSpot onboarding is a great option for clients that are at least somewhat comfortable using the program and can spare the time to get used to its features.

What does HubSpot Partner Agency Onboarding look like?

HubSpot partner agencies are marketing agencies that use HubSpot and have been accepted into HubSpot's Solutions Partner Program. These agencies have undergone extensive marketing and sales training. They have access to direct account managers and other HubSpot tools. Some HubSpot partner agencies are full-service agencies that offer a wide range of marketing and sales services. Others might have a specific area of expertise like inbound marketing, web design, and sales support.

While every partner agency is different, they all have similar core offerings that include:

• HubSpot technical setup
• HubSpot CRM customisation
• HubSpot contact import
• Additional strategic development and consulting
• Sales enablement services
• Flexible pricing
• Customised Hubspot and marketing training

All in all, a HubSpot partner agency is suitable for clients that prefer a more robust onboarding strategy and tailored approach to training and consulting.

Which Onboarding Solution is right for you? 

Both onboarding solutions have clear advantages, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each to make the best decision. Below, we've listed some pros and cons of direct onboarding and partner onboarding.

Direct HubSpot Onboarding

Pros

• Straight from the horse's mouth:  You get to work with experts directly from HubSpot who are specially trained to help you. You don't have to look for agencies to work with. Help is right there, within the platform.
• Robust onboarding strategy: The Implementation Specialists you work with know the ins and outs of workflows, pipelines, and templates to help you tackle different initiatives. 
• Consistent pricing: You know the exact cost of onboarding when you onboard directly with the platform.
• Independent learning: Because you'll be doing much of the implementation yourself, you'll eventually learn the technical aspects of HubSpot, allowing you to hit the ground running with your CRM.

Cons

• Increased responsibility: Since you'll be doing most of the setup yourself, you and your team have to be more laser-focused on HubSpot implementation alone.
• Less customisation: The knowledge you gain from the onboarding services you receive from HubSpot is limited and generic in nature. It won't be precisely cut out for your specific needs. This structured approach will only help get you started with all the different features, but it won't be customised to your company's needs.
• Limited support: Although you get plenty of customer support resources, you just won't get the guidance and support offered by a partner agency.

Hubspot Partner Agency Onboarding

Pros

• Address unique pain points: Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, partner agencies offer plans tailored to solving your company's unique problems and pain points. No two processes are the same. Everything depends on you and your business. 
• More hands-on training: Partners handle the implementation and configuration of HubSpot tools while still providing you with hands-on training. This is especially helpful if you and your team are often busy and don't have much time to dedicate to onboarding.
• Ongoing support: Unlike direct onboarding, the support you get with partner onboarding doesn't end after 90 days. They'll continue to work with your business to make sure everything is operating correctly. A partner agency ensures you're adapting when business processes or markets change.
• More control: You have the ability to choose which agency to work with, allowing you to consider an agency's experience, expertise, location, and chemistry.
• Additional help beyond HubSpot: Agencies aren't just restricted to assisting with HubSpot. Some agencies offer additional services like setting up integrations with other software in your tech stack. 

Cons

• Unpredictability in pricing: With so many agencies and partners, pricing varies. Plus, the services included vary depending on the package you choose.
• Bad agencies: Even though you get the freedom to choose which agency to work with, it can be challenging to choose one that's reputable and reliable. The bar is very low to become a HubSpot Partner.

Whether you choose direct HubSpot onboarding or opt for onboarding with a partner agency, you will get a solid understanding of the platform and how to use it to generate great results. But if you want a more tailored, proactive approach with ongoing support, a partner agency is the way to go. Contact us today to learn more.