Best HubSpot Apps for Increased Adoption

Last week, I had the privilege of hosting a most-mind blowing HubSpot User Group all about increasing adoption through HubSpot App usage, featuring two powerhouses in the HubSpot ecosystem: Chris Grant, who's helped implement HubSpot at hundreds of companies across the globe, and Dan Currin, CEO of OrgChartHub and a veteran of the HubSpot app marketplace. What follows are the key insights and strategies they shared, but you can also hear straight from the horse's mouth here. 

Quick tip: If you're just starting your HubSpot journey, you might want to bookmark this page - our experts shared some gems.

The Universal CRM Adoption Challenge

Before we jump into HubSpot app adoption, let’s start at the beginning: CRM adoption. According to recent studies, up to 70% of CRM implementations struggle with adoption rates. We’re determined not to be part of that statistic, which is why we always start with a solid adoption framework.

HubSpot CRM Adoption Framework: UNLOCK adoption

1. Understand the Barriers Every resistance tells a story. Understanding individual barriers - whether it's attachment to old tools or fear of change - is crucial for creating buy-in.
2. Needs Assessment Instead of asking what's wrong with the current system, ask "What would your perfect workday look like?" These answers become your implementation roadmap.
3. Listen Actively Transform feedback into visible improvements. When teams see their input shaping the system, resistance naturally fades.
4. Outcome While leadership needs their analytics, prioritise making daily tasks easier for front-line teams. When routine work becomes effortless, adoption soars.
5. Create Think of implementation like building a house - get the foundation right before choosing paint colours.
6. Knowledge Training should build confidence and turn sceptics into advocates. As HubSpot evolves, maintain momentum through ongoing education and celebrating wins.

Once you’ve got your CRM foundations laid, it’s time to look into strategic HubSpot app selection. The goal isn't to have the most apps - it's to have the right apps, implemented thoughtfully, driving real business value.  

Essential HubSpot App Marketplace Solutions

If you’ve ever walked into IKEA without a shopping list then you’ll understand the feeling of looking at the HubSpot app marketplace. Let me be your personal shopper.

The HubSpot App Ecosystem Explained

Native Apps: These are developed by HubSpot or trusted partners and offer seamless integration with your CRM. Think of them as your trusty sidekicks, always there to help.

General Apps: These are powerful tools that integrate with HubSpot and pull data into their own environment. They're like the heavy artillery of your HubSpot arsenal.

HubSpot-Specific Apps: These are built specifically for the HubSpot ecosystem, offering tight integration and a smooth user experience. They're like the custom-made suits of the app world, tailored to fit your HubSpot CRM perfectly.

Must-Have HubSpot Apps

Choosing the right HubSpot app for your business can be a game-changer. Here are a few of my favourites:

• OrgChartHub: Picture having Superman's X-ray vision, but for your customer's org structure. That's exactly what this app gave us. One day, we were preparing for a meeting with a huge multi-division client, feeling lost in their corporate maze. OrgChartHub illuminated every decision-maker and influencer!
• GeoMapper: This app allows you to see where your customers and prospects are located on a map. A great use case is when you’re running events in a specific city and want to reach out to your contacts who live within a 40 mile radius to invite them along. 
• Sidekick: This app helps you identify data gaps in your CRM and plugs right into Slack so you can update them directly from there. For example, deals with missing close dates. 
• Arrows: This app is a lifesaver for customer onboarding and sales processes. 
• Superd: This app helps your team adopt HubSpot and streamline their processes. We can’t go into every feature they offer otherwise we’d be here all day, but check them out here.
• Hapily: Hapily have loads of different apps on offer, from CPQ expansion to Event management - it’s a whole suite of tools that can enhance your HubSpot experience.
• Koalify: This app helps you identify and manage duplicate records in your CRM. The satisfaction of watching it clean up your database is like watching Marie Kondo work, but for your CRM.
• Fathom: Remember that one brilliant idea that slipped away because you were too busy scribbling notes? That used to be us until Fathom came along. This app is an AI note-taker that summarises your calls and identifies next steps. 

Tips for HubSpot App Adoption

Introducing new apps to your team can be tricky. Do it too quickly and you’re in for some glazed faces and overwhelmed staff. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth transition:

• Start with the basics: We begin with what we call the 'table stakes' apps - the ones that connect email, calendars, and Slack to HubSpot. These lay the foundation and get your team interested in going further. 
• Identify pain points: Instead of basing your app selection on your own assumptions, start asking questions. Talk to your team about the challenges they face and then introduce apps that address those specific pain points.
• Drip-feed new apps: Don't overwhelm your team with a ton of new apps at once. Think of it like a great Netflix series - release one episode at a time, let people get hooked, then drop the next one.
• Create champions:  There's always that one person who figures out all the shortcuts first, these are your early adopters.  Pay attention to these people and get them to share their success! 
• Treat your team like an internal target audience: Just like you would with your customers, personalise your approach. Some folks love video tutorials, others need hands-on workshops, and a few just want a quick cheat sheet.

As both our experts hammered home during the HUG, successful HubSpot adoption isn't about the technology – it's about the transformation. Your job isn't to implement a CRM; it's to architect a better way of working.

Start small, think big, and most importantly – take it one strategic step at a time.