Switching CRMs is a significant decision for any business. Many companies are making the leap from Salesforce to HubSpot due to HubSpot’s ease of use, superior RevOps capabilities, and ability to future-proof business operations. But the most critical - and often underestimated-aspect of this transition is data migration.
This guide walks you through the key steps, challenges, and solutions for a successful Salesforce to HubSpot migration, ensuring a seamless transfer of your business data while maximizing the potential of your new system.
Why Migrate from Salesforce to HubSpot?
Salesforce has long been a leader in the CRM space, but HubSpot has become the preferred platform for small to medium-sized businesses, tech companies, and B2B organizations. Here’s why:
- Ease of Use: HubSpot’s intuitive interface encourages faster team adoption.
- Better RevOps Features: HubSpot excels in marketing and sales alignment.
- Innovation: Unlike Salesforce, which some view as a legacy system, HubSpot consistently delivers cutting-edge updates.
However, to reap these benefits, your CRM migration must be seamless. This starts with understanding the data migration process.
Steps for a Successful Salesforce to HubSpot Migration
Migrating from Salesforce to HubSpot involves five core steps:
- Flows to Workflows: Transitioning automations from Salesforce to HubSpot’s workflows.
- Customizations: Migrating layouts, pages, and fields, while adapting to HubSpot’s capabilities.
- Integrations: Transferring tools like meeting links, calling systems, and e-signatures.
- Reports and Dashboards: Recreating Salesforce reports in HubSpot.
- Data Migration: The most critical step, requiring careful planning and execution.
Data Migration Methods
There are two primary methods for migrating data during a Salesforce migration:
1. CSV File Export/Import
- Suitable for systems with minimal customizations and smaller datasets.
- Steps include:
- Exporting data from Salesforce using built-in tools.
- Cleaning the data by removing duplicates and outdated records.
- Importing the data into HubSpot using its import functionality.
2. API Migration
- Ideal for large datasets, custom objects, and complex configurations.
- Involves mapping Salesforce objects (e.g., Accounts, Contacts, Leads) to HubSpot’s structure.
- Typically requires professional expertise to avoid errors.
Whether you choose a CSV or API-based migration, data mapping and attention to detail are essential for success.
Common Challenges in CRM Migration
Switching CRMs isn’t without hurdles. Here are some common challenges and how to overcome them:
- Tight Deadlines: Start planning early to avoid last-minute issues.
- Data Complexities: Address custom fields, duplicates, and inconsistencies during migration.
- Missed Steps: Always run a test migration to identify issues beforehand.
- Team Adoption: Train your team on HubSpot implementation to ensure smooth onboarding.
Real-Life Case Study
One of our clients, a tech company, migrated from Salesforce to HubSpot. With over 10,000 contacts, custom workflows, and multiple custom objects, they initially planned a CSV migration. However, the complexities revealed the need for an API migration.
- Challenges: Over 30 custom fields, inconsistent historical data, and intricate workflows.
- Solution: We used an API-based migration to transfer data, rebuild workflows, and train their team on HubSpot’s features.
- Result: Improved team efficiency, faster adoption, and better customer success outcomes.
Conclusion
A successful Salesforce to HubSpot migration is more than just transferring data - it’s about setting your business up for long-term success. By planning meticulously, addressing challenges proactively, and leveraging expert help, you can unlock the full potential of HubSpot.
At Loncom Consulting, we specialize in seamless CRM migrations and HubSpot implementation. Contact us today to learn how we can make your migration stress-free and impactful.
Contact us or download our free guide: How to Migrate from Salesforce to HubSpot. Let’s turn your migration into a growth opportunity.
