Welcome to SmartBug on Tap. In this episode, "Where to Start with HubSpot – CRM or Marketing First," SmartBug's Senior Sales Executive Tonia Speir and Director of HubSpot Strategy John Suarez unpack one of the most common questions new HubSpot users ask: Do you begin with HubSpot CRM or Marketing Hub?
Ready to dive into how to make the right first move in HubSpot based on your business model, team structure, and long-term goals. Let's go!
📚 What You’ll Learn:
- When it makes sense to start with HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) vs. Marketing Hub
- How to evaluate business readiness and align internal processes with the right HubSpot tools
- Red flags that signal your team may not be ready for one Hub
- How to avoid building a lead generation silo with Marketing Hub
- Best practices for onboarding both Marketing Hub and Sales Hub together
- Why starting small with HubSpot Starter may be the smartest move for new businesses
💡 Key Highlights and Moments
[00:14] The “chicken or the egg” dilemma: CRM or Marketing Hub first?
[01:43] How business maturity and team structure influence HubSpot onboarding
[03:33] Red flags that signal you’re not ready for Sales Hub or Marketing Hub
[05:18] How new businesses can tier their HubSpot investment
[07:39] Must-haves for Sales Hub success: sellers, process, and data
[10:48] What Sales Hub offers for pipeline visibility, sales adoption, and reporting
[13:50] Why Marketing Hub is a smart starting point for lead generation without a sales process
[15:09] How to bridge the gap between marketing and sales to avoid lead drop-off
[16:51] Cost vs. benefit: Risks of doing both Hubs at once
[18:23] Why starting with both Sales and Marketing Hub is often the smartest path
🚀 Ready to Scale Your AgeTech Company?
Let’s put together a go-to-market strategy and find the right systems and technology for your growth.
👉 Contact SmartBug: https://www.smartbugmedia.com/contact-us
👉 Contact Tonia: tspeir@smartbugmedia.com
👉 Contact John: jsuarez@smartbugmedia.com
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