HubSpot CRM Review 2023: The Best CRM Software for Small Business

Nicholas Amundson

June 26, 2022
19 min read

Disclosure: Your support keeps this site going strong! We may receive referral fees for the services we recommend on this blog. However, this does not impact our reviews and recommendations. All opinions expressed are our own.

As you have come here, it can be clearly understood that you are looking forward to reading an honest HubSpot CRM review. We have focused on designing this detailed guide on HubSpot CRM, by keeping the requirements of readers like you in mind.

So, it means that reading this article will help to effectively clear all your concerning doubts. You will also get to know whether HubSpot is the best CRM Software for small businesses. And finally, you would be able to make the right choice for your requirements.

You may be aware of the fact that good Customer Relationship Management or CRM software is crucial for eCommerce.

If in the past, you have employed certain marketing tools such as Salesforce or Pipedrive, then you will know how important these particular tools can be in boosting the sales procedure.

It is not just meant to keep hold of the consumer contact records. With the aid of a CRM system, you can do a wide diversity of things.

You can also use this system for automating things such as follow-up, lead scoring, or tracking deal storage.

But, there is a big problem that people come across in this aspect. Let’s talk about this issue:

Often, you will discover some cookie-cutter CRMs which does not tend to have a lot of customizable features to meet the requirements of the diverse range of eCommerce businesses out there.

These again lack a contact management dashboard that is user-friendly and a means to log out as well as send out interactions with your clients and consumers.

So, if your business needs all of these features, then it would not be a good idea to choose these cookie-cutter CRMs. Instead, you will need an all-inclusive CRM, which will help you to successfully meet your unique requirements.

And HubSpot CRM is an alternative that you can choose. It is a great option to choose if you are a small business.

Looking forward to knowing more about the HubSpot CRM software and its unique features? If yes, then keep reading this detailed guide to get a better understanding of all its aspects.

HubSpot CRM Review 2023:

HubSpot CRM Review

Ease of Use (4.8/5)

Functionality and Ease of Setup (4.7/5)

Deliverability and Overall Performance (4.8/5)

Customer Support (4.8/5)

Value for Money (4.8/5)

What Is HubSpot CRM?

It is known to be one of the recognized inbound marketing as well as prospecting tools that are available currently. As part of the all-inclusive HubSpot CRM Sales suite, it helps you with everything from lead scoring to follow-up.

Not only that, but the CRM of HubSpot again is capable of integrating with a multitude of outstanding external solutions.

In this regard, you can focus on combining your CRM solution with HubSpot CRM marketing services, sales strategies, and a lot more.

But note that, it’s not going away to work out for some businesses. Though the style of this software is much similar to Salesforce and Pipedrive, there is the availability of some competing tools in the market which tend to have a diverse range of customization options.

So, if you do not want to go with HubSpot, then you can consider choosing other options that you find suitable for your requirements.

However, we like HubSpot CRM for both large as well as small firms in case they do not have any customization requirements.

So, irrespective of whether you are a startup, an entrepreneur with budget constraints, or a small business owner, you can try out this HubSpot CRM software for boosting the growth and success of your business.

You’re probably wondering, “Is HubSpot CRM really free?”

The best part about this software is that it is free to use. And you can get an infinite number of users as well as a maximum of 1,000,000 contacts with the HubSpot CRM free plan.

You only need to pay a small percentage of fees, if you want any additional features.

HubSpot CRM Overview Details

CRM systems are specifically meant to combine customer support with comprehensive sales tools and marketing strategies. Similar to other CRMs available in the market, HubSpot does exactly that.

If you are running an online business, then you may know how easier overall things can turn out to be, in case you are having a system in hand.

These systems will assist you with the deal stages, lead generation, and sales pipelines.

Not only does a CRM system like HubSpot provides you a spot where you can store up new contact as well as social media follower, particularly a database, but it provides you access to almost everything that you will require for nurturing your leads.

HubSpot again offers you one of the best CRM offerings which helps you to track and connect with your consumers.

Presently, a lot of people are choosing HubSpot CRM over the other options as it is built for helping almost all sizes of companies, particularly startups that require a free but robust way to interact as well as manage customer relationships.

Another best thing about HubSpot is that it pairs effectively with standard email service providers such as Outlook and Gmail. As a result of it, you would be able to set up your sales team just within minutes.

After that, you can successfully manage your sales pipeline which again helps in accelerating the process of bringing in those leads. HubSpot supports unlimited users and 1 million contacts.

So, whether your company has only one salesperson or you are having a team of 1,000, you can be benefitted by using this best email marketing software.

Key Features Of HubSpot CRM

Now, let’s have a close look at the best features of the HubSpot CRM platform which help it to stand out from the other options available in the market:

1. A Stunning Pipeline Dashboard All In One Spot

Having a CRM ensures that you would be able to effortlessly create a sales funnel.

So, it means that you will need an efficient and clean dashboard that helps in connecting all your overall sales team and thereby making it incredibly easier for you to see where each of the potential clients is in that funnel.

So, in this regard, free HubSpot CRM is one such option that you can choose.

This software comes with a superb dashboard design, and you would be able to easily do sorting of each of the deals that you have lost or won along with contracts that you have sent out in the course of the procedure.

The interface also possesses options that you can use for tracking performance. Your salespeople can do their best by seeing this. This CRM solution also comes with an appointment scheduling option which can prove to be very helpful for your needs.

This CRM plays a key role in managing all of your users. In the dashboard, you can easily sort the deals by amount, name, owner, and stage of the funnel the consumer is in.

Finally, the dashboard offers you some excellent filters which you can employ for swiftly obtaining information about any particular customer.

2. Lead Info In One Spot

Whenever you get a lead, the HubSpot CRM platform logs it in one spot for you. It effectively combines with automated interaction recording. But, with this module, you would be able to easily see an individual lead along with all those communications.

For example, it is a good idea to remember names as well as job titles. The best part is that all these are saved here. Along with that, you also get the opportunity to see a complete list of other communications like meetings, phone calls, emails, and notes.

There are many reasons why people like this. Like, one salesperson can easily log info about a prospective client and the other individual in your company would be able to view it.

So, in case there is a problem client, there is no need to speak with them any longer which effectively saves a lot of the time of your sales team.

Again, the interface of this software is designed in a manner so that your sales team does not have to spend their time filtering through email threads. With its help, they can easily figure out where the conversation is left off.

Everything is well organized into a single list and so, they can get started with contacting the leads without any further queries.

Another important thing to note is that the HubSpot CRM synchronizes efficiently with the HubSpot Marketing program.

You would be able to see all the content which has been sent specifically to the lead. Also, you get the chance to tailor your next message. So, you do not have to start the conversation again and again.

3. Automated Sales Activity Logging

If you do not use a CRM, then there are high chances of the loss of customer interactions. Even, it can archive deep into your email folders.

HubSpot CRM follows a distinct approach in this aspect as it automatically records all of your consumer interactions, whether they be meetings, emails, or phone calls.

You will also discover that the CRM logs each social media interaction which is a great way to effectively reduce the time spent on those social networks.

Another best part about HubSpot CRM is that it effectively syncs up with your G Suite, Gmail, and Outlook account. Thus, if one salesperson talks with a consumer, the next salesperson can easily see what was discussed.

4. HubSpot Customer Support

If you are a complete beginner in using CRM, then HubSpot can be a great option for you to choose. You will find the availability of many useful tools in it such as HubSpot Academy.

Talking HubSpot Academy is an online hub that is full of workshops and courses to promote the overall growth of your business.

Not only that, but you would also be able to sharpen your skills with its help. It also helps you to master the CRM tools which are required to attract as well as engage clients.

But, note that the free plan of HubSpot does not include email or phone support. If you have opted for the HubSpot CRM free plan, then you would be able to chat with other users in the HubSpot Community.

You can even find answers to your queries in the knowledge base of HubSpot.

Alternatively, you can find the option to communicate with the on-page chatbot i.e. HubSpot. This particular feature is helpful, especially for those professionals who are looking for swift answers to their queries without causing any interruption in their workflow.

HubSpot CRM Pros And Cons

HubSpot is known to be one of the most effectively designed and best marketing automation tools. This platform again tends to have the highest number of consumers among all other tools available in the market.

If you want to understand HubSpot CRM more closely, then you should necessarily have a clear idea of its advantages and limitations which we are going to discuss in the following section:

Pros

Easy To Use: The platform of HubSpot is incredibly easy to employ. HubSpot tends to have an exquisitely designed product. Small business owners can find it to be an initiative and it does not require any coding skills to use this.
A Great Place For All Of Your Tools: There is always a convenience factor associated with HubSpot as here, you will get almost everything in one place. Another important thing to note is that you could get 99 percent of the functionality of HubSpot completely free of cost.
7-Day Free Trial: A vast majority of marketing automation tools available in the market comes with high setup fees, long contracts, and no free trials. On the other hand, HubSpot is a tool that does require a contract as well as high setup fees, but HubSpot offers you a 7-day free trial which is considered to be its best part.
Educates Their Users: The best thing about HubSpot is that, this platform invests in educating its users. If you are a business owner who wishes to learn about online marketing, then it is worth checking out their blog.

Cons

Premium Technical Support: Although it is very simple to implement HubSpot, in case you require ongoing technical support, then you will have to make payment for it.
Most Of The Tools Provided By HubSpot Are Free Elsewhere: HubSpot provides you with an effectively designed set of tools. But, you will find most of these tools for cheap or completely free elsewhere.
Necessitates A 12-Month Contract: By default, the contracts of HubSpot are billed on an annual basis. Marketing automation is one thing that you are more likely to use for many years which is not a big issue. However, it is preferable to have a rolling month-on-month contract.

HubSpot CRM Pricing Plans

As already mentioned above, the CRM HubSpot is free to use, forever. It means that you do not have to spend a single penny on this. But you should essentially have a clear understanding of the HubSpot CRM features which come with the free plan.

Also, note that HubSpot does not consider upselling you for its other products.

Similar to any other CRM tool, in case you decide to upgrade to the best CRM that HubSpot tends to offer, then you should necessarily consider its cost.

The pricing of CRM varies significantly from one particular company to another.

The HubSpot CRM premium packages come with the below-given features:

Supports a maximum 1,000,000 contacts.
Integrations with other products of HubSpot such as Sales, Marketing, and Service Hubs.
HubSpot CRM integrations with email providers like Outlook, G Suite, and Gmail.
Tasks and deals.
Ads for Facebook.
Forms especially for marketers.
Documents, calling, meetings, and canned snippets.
Email scheduling templates as well as tracking notifications.
Each of the things you will require for HubSpot CRM email marketing such as email templates, email tracking, email scheduling, and tracking notifications.
An analytics dashboard for especially your leads.
All companies’ records with whom you can do business.
Robust contact management along with company insights.
Limitless users or individuals who plan to utilize the CRM in your company.
Custom support particularly from the HubSpot community forum. But, you should necessarily keep in mind that there is no direct support such as chat, phone, or email support with the HubSpot free CRM version.

As HubSpot describes on its official website, CRM is more than integration with its other products.

It can be regarded as the underlying database which tends to power specific items such as the Sales, Marketing, and Service Hubs.

So, in case, you like the CRM, it is not impractical to presume that you might choose its other premium products. The pricing of these is as follows:

Again, the pricing of HubSpot sales hub is:

And, the Service Hub’s pricing is:

Overall, you will find the pricing of the HubSpot CRM to be straightforward, whenever you get started with it. But the pricing can become more complicated if you want advanced features.

Still, HubSpot tends to have some cost-effective options with the Basic and Starter plans.

HubSpot CRM Alternatives

HubSpot is identified as notable inbound marketing as well as sales software which is built for organizations who wish to leverage proven techniques for bringing in new consumers and clients.

But, if you are an online business that wants to pull in extra leads, then it would be a good idea to search for different HubSpot alternatives.

In this regard, you will find the easy availability of a variety of alternatives in the market to choose from. Below, we have enlisted some of the best ones in the forthcoming section:

JumpLead
Pardot
Autopilot
SharpSpring
Agile CRM
Drip
Engagebay
Ontraport
GetResponse
Constant Contact
Keap
Sendinblue

It is extremely important to set up a solution that lets you track everything from your Gmail contacts.

You should again have a multi-channel system in place where you can easily see and get a good idea about the journey of your customer from start to finish. Only then, you would be able to turn your clients into repeat consumers.

Again, it can be challenging to pick the right HubSpot alternative. Not only the features of HubSpot CRM are amazing but also is available for use free of cost. Although you can get more features in other options, the price tag is also high.

So, your main goal should be to consider other tools that come with better pricing plans.

Apart from the pricing, you should also ensure that the service you choose comes with all the marketing automation solution features that you will need such as outstanding email templates, messaging on SMS, etc.

Our Final Verdict On HubSpot CRM

All in all, it can be said from this HubSpot CRM reviews post, that HubSpot CRM is an amazing place to start for logging contact info, leads, and customer interactions.

Also, it is considered to be a great tool to consider, if you need a simple sales funnel for your small business or startup.

This best email marketing software also works well for larger eCommerce stores that do not tend to have any highly customized CRM requirements.

But, in case you are having any small or big feature customization requirements, then this CRM would fail to serve your needs.

HubSpot CRM Review 2023

🥰 Ease of Use
❤️ Functionality and Ease of Setup
🥰 Deliverability and Overall Performance
👍 Customer Support
🙃 Pricing

4.8

Final Verdict

That, being said, we would recommend you try out the HubSpot CRM at least once to get an idea about whether it works well for your business or not. It is free to use for the base product, so, there is no harm in giving this product a try as you do not have anything to lose.

If you eventually find that you require some customization, then you can simply move on to a new CRM. Or else, you can consider some other HubSpot products to find, if that match your requirements.

This is one of the best CRM software platforms that will enable you to try HubSpot CRM for free.

On a final note, we can say that HubSpot CRM could be the best thing for you to choose, in case you are looking forward to combining add-ons such as Google Analytics and reporting to certain things such as HubSpot marketing automation and sales strategies.

HubSpot CRM effectively combines ease of use with a wide range of features.

Even, if you decide to use its free version, then still you can reap amazing benefits. Also, it is known to offer an outstanding experience.

Another best thing about the marketing services of HubSpot is that it promotes the growth of your business. Over time, you can consider adding more capacity to your CRM, with the growth of your team members and you need to share your tools with your sales representatives.

Although the HubSpot CRM would not be the ideal option for every people, it is worth giving it a try as it is free to use. We hope you have found this comprehensive review of HubSpot CRM to be valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions About HubSpot CRM

What Makes HubSpot CRM Distinct From The Other Well-Known CRMs?

As HubSpot CRM is free to use and so, medium and small-sized businesses who are on limited budgets can choose this option over the others. Again, it is loaded with many interesting features which makes it incredibly easy to use.

The ability of this free CRM software to flawlessly integrate with Gmail makes it distinct from the other popular CRMs. Some of the major benefits offered by the HubSpot CRM tool include the following:

It comes with drag and drops and multiple views functionality which helps you to deal with tracking through customizable funnel stages.
This CRM comes with strong contact records which tend to share a similar database, particularly the marketing suite.
It again comes with advanced search features which lets you save a lot of time locating contact records.
With its aid, you would be able to send emails, complete sales calls, attach files, log personal notes as well as even tag other users for communication with prospects.
For customizable dashboard views, this CRM tends to have advanced filtering capabilities.
And a lot more.

Can I Boost The Productivity Of My Sales Team By Utilizing HubSpot CRM?

Yes, you would be able to do so, by utilizing this CRM. It tends to have capabilities for data enrichment and so, it is proved to be valuable for sales professionals.

Whenever any user enters a new contact or company, the HubSpot CRM automatically fills in fundamental company details which are again pulled from a database of over 17 million companies.

With the addition of more info to the contact records, this CRM will automatically offer users with latest and pertinent news stories that are related to the companies they are tracking.

And thereby, with its help, the sales professionals can start a new conversation with any contact even after a long period of no communication.

Similarly, the HubSpot CRM tool has been designed in a manner for suggesting similar businesses, depending on the companies a particular user is tracking.

The data enrichment feature of HubSpot lets you effortlessly start the sales process.

Along with scraping company info, this specific feature incorporates the automatic importing of social media data to the contact databases of users, especially in terms of present updates and profile info.

Are There Any Extra Or Hidden Costs In This Case?

No, there are no such hidden costs. You will find the revenue model of HubSpot around the CRM to be amazingly brilliant. And the best part is that you can start using this CRM free of cost.

Is There Any Limitation Whenever It Comes To The Number Of HubSpot CRM Users?

There is no limitation to the number of users which you can add in as CRM users which is again the similar model which HubSpot focuses on following specifically for the marketing suite.