How to migrate my website from WordPress to HubSpot?

Migrating your WordPress site to HubSpot is like switching from a small city car to a Tesla Model S: you're moving to a more powerful, smarter and much more stylish tool. And why bother with this migration, you may ask? Because HubSpot transforms your website into a formidable marketing machine, while integrating a CRM capable of managing your forms, e-mails and campaigns with disconcerting fluidity. Ready to take the plunge? Let us show you how.

Migrating your WordPress site to HubSpot is like switching from a small city car to a Tesla Model S: you're moving to a more powerful, smarter and much more stylish tool. And why bother with this migration, you may ask? Because HubSpot transforms your website into a formidable marketing machine, while integrating a CRM capable of managing your forms, e-mails and campaigns with disconcerting fluidity. Ready to take the plunge? Let us show you how.

Why migrate from WordPress to HubSpot?

An all-in-one solution for marketing pros

WordPress is like your first bicycle: it does the job, but the brakes sometimes squeak and it clearly lacks a bell. HubSpot, on the other hand, is the ultimate electric bike, with built-in GPS and automatic assistance on the uphill (yes, even the worst uphill in digital marketing). Basically, HubSpot has everything you need: an integrated CRM, a drag-and-drop content editor, and state-of-the-art analytics tools to track every click, form filled, and lead generated.

Native integration and simplicity (goodbye 40 plug-ins!)

On WordPress, it's not uncommon to play tightrope walker with a bevy of plug-ins. The problem? They don't always talk to each other very well, and all it takes is one messy update for everything to fall apart (memories, memories...). HubSpot, on the other hand, takes care of all these problems by directly integrating its functionalities. No need for plug-ins for forms, e-mail marketing or even analytics. It's all there, ready to use. It's simple, fluid and, above all, it works.

A complete marketplace so you're never caught unprepared

Need to add live chat to your website? Advanced integration with Google Analytics? Or a sexy newsletter template? HubSpot offers a well-stocked marketplace of free and paid options, so your site never lacks for anything. Imagine a digital Ali Baba's cave, where every module or extension is tested, approved and ready to integrate perfectly into your site.

Maintenance and security: we take care of it for you!

Website maintenance on WordPress is a bit like owning an old car: you have to check the oil, change the tires, and make sure the engine doesn't give out every time you start it up. With HubSpot, forget those hassles. Here's why:

• Automated maintenance: No unplanned updates to deal with. HubSpot takes care of all the technical stuff. No need to hold your breath when you click on “Update now”.
• Concrete security: HubSpot is hosted on AWS (yes, the big internet) and offers advanced security features like included SSL certificates, automatic backups, and continuous threat monitoring. Your website becomes a digital fortress.
• Hosting included: No need to look for a separate host or stress about loading speed. HubSpot optimizes everything, right out of the box.
• Responsive support: Got a question? Problems? HubSpot has a support team on hand to solve your glitches before you've even finished explaining them.

Optimized user experience, without compromise

You know those moments on WordPress when you spend 45 minutes trying to figure out why a plug-in isn't displaying your form correctly? With HubSpot, this kind of nightmare is a thing of the past. Its intuitive platform lets you customize and manage your content, leads and campaigns stress-free.

And if you're concerned about SEO, HubSpot has already thought of everything. Its integrated SEO tool analyzes your pages, suggests optimizations, and makes sure your content stays at the top of search results.

Why maintenance is a pain on WordPress

WordPress, with its multiple plug-ins, requires constant attention. Every update is a potential risk to your site's stability. An obsolete plug-in or incompatibility between extensions can lead to:

• Unexpected downtime.
• Increased exposure to cyber-attacks.
• Unforeseen additional costs if you need to hire a developer urgently.

In other words, on WordPress, you're both the captain and the mechanic of your boat. With HubSpot, you become a VIP passenger.

Security: a major challenge, and one in which HubSpot excels

Did you know? Over 90% of sites hacked in 2018 were WordPress-based, often due to vulnerable or un-updated plug-ins. With HubSpot:

• No need for additional SSL certificates: they're included from the start.
• Backups are automatic. Downtime? Don't worry, you can restore your site in just one click.
• Customer data is protected to rigorous standards. So you avoid the hefty fines of the RGPD.

Steps to migrate your WordPress site to HubSpot

Migrating a WordPress site to HubSpot is a bit like moving from a tired camper van to a high-tech villa by the sea. Yes, the journey may seem complex, but the result is well worth the effort. Follow this step-by-step guide to a smooth migration and a brand-new site.

1. Take stock of your current WordPress site

Before diving into the migration, it's essential to carry out a complete audit of your WordPress site. What content is essential? What plug-ins are essential (SEO, forms, analytics)?

• Identify the key elements you want to transfer or improve.
• Use tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, or Google Analytics to map your URLs, internal links and media.
• Make a note of the best-performing pages in terms of SEO and traffic to prioritize their migration.

It's like packing your bags before moving house: you sort, keep the essentials, and get rid of the rest.

Do you need help? Don't hesitate to call on an expert Wordpress agency.

2. Set up your HubSpot account

Create your HubSpot account and explore the tools it offers. With its drag-and-drop editor, context-sensitive forms and integrated CRM, you'll already have everything you need to design a high-performance website.

• Bonus : HubSpot offers ready-to-use templates on its marketplace. They're customizable and designed to maximize performance.
• If you need a fully customized site, agencies like if/else agency can develop a HubSpot theme perfectly tailored to your needs.

3. Save your WordPress content

This is the essential step to avoid “what ifs”. WordPress offers an export function that lets you download your posts, pages and other media.

• Also, save your essential plug-in settings, such as those dedicated to SEO or forms.
• Keep a copy of your complete database in case of problems.

4. Create your site on HubSpot

Here's the key step: rebuild your website on HubSpot. You have two options:

• Use a theme from the HubSpot marketplace: Perfect for a quick and cost-effective solution. Themes are preconfigured and ready to be customized via the drag-and-drop editor.
• Go through a specialized agency like if/else agency: If you want a unique, totally customized, scalable site, our HubSpot experts can turn your ideas into reality!

In both cases, this step involves recreating your site's structure, adding interactive modules (forms, live chat), and optimizing the user experience.

5. Import and integrate your content

Unlike WordPress, where you can often import your content directly via plug-ins, on HubSpot you have two methods:

• Manual import with drag-and-drop editor: This method is ideal for ensuring that every piece of content fits perfectly into the HubSpot design. Add contextual forms, CTAs and SEO-optimized content.
• Use HubSpot's Import API: If your site is large, this option allows you to migrate large amounts of data efficiently. However, this method requires technical skills or the intervention of a specialized agency.

6. Import your blog posts

For your blog posts, HubSpot offers several solutions adapted to WordPress:

• WordPress Connect: Automatically retrieves content from your WordPress blog.
• Smart Copy: Analyzes your blog's URL to extract content and integrate it into HubSpot.
• CSV import: Prepare a file containing essential metadata (title, author, date, content) and import it directly.

The aim here is to ensure a seamless transition without any loss of content, while preserving your SEO optimizations.

7. Configure redirects and DNS

To avoid 404 errors and lost traffic, set up a redirection plan between your old WordPress URLs and your new HubSpot pages. Here's how to do it:

• List all the URLs on your current site.
• Set up 301 redirects to redirect users and search engines to your new pages.
• Connect your domain name to HubSpot and configure your DNS records. HubSpot provides clear, detailed instructions for each DNS provider.

8. Test and optimize your site

Before publishing, go through your site with a fine-tooth comb:

• Check that all pages and links function correctly.
• Test the display on mobile, tablet and computer.
• Use HubSpot's analytics tools to analyze performance and adjust if necessary.

9. Launch your site (and celebrate!)

Once everything's ready, it's time to publish your pages one by one. Activate your marketing tools like automatic workflows, integrated CRM, and forms to capture your first leads.

The benefits of a HubSpot website

Simplified lead management

With HubSpot CRM, lead management becomes as easy as drinking your morning coffee. The forms created on your HubSpot site feed directly into your CRM database. Every customer interaction, from downloading an e-book to requesting information, is automatically recorded, enabling you to track and segment your prospects in the blink of an eye. No more endless Excel files or handwritten notes lost under your pile of files.

Automation and efficiency

Do you dream of having your site work while you sip a cocktail? HubSpot's automation workflows make it possible. Set up sequences that:

• Send personalized e-mails to your prospects at every stage of their customer journey.
• Create reminders for your sales team.
• Segment your leads according to their actions on your site.

You save time, energy and probably a few extra hours of sleep.

Advanced personalization

With HubSpot, personalizing your pages and campaigns is child's play. Add interactive modules, integrate context-sensitive forms, or set up a live chat in just a few clicks. The drag-and-drop editor offers an intuitive interface that lets you design captivating pages without writing a single line of code.

AI for your daily life: discover Breeze

HubSpot doesn't just offer you a high-performance site, it also equips you with a virtual personal assistant: Breeze, the platform's integrated AI.

Breeze Copilot: your AI copilot

Breeze Copilot is like having a lamp genie in your CRM. You ask it, it does. Whether it's generating content, analyzing data, or streamlining your processes, it's there for you:

• Création de contenu: Content creation: Write blogs, landing pages or even social posts in seconds.
• Task optimization: Finish your to-do lists faster thanks to intelligent automation.
• Personalized suggestions: Breeze uses your CRM data to anticipate your needs.

Breeze Agents: specialists at your service

Imagine a crack team dedicated to automating your most time-consuming tasks. That's exactly what Breeze Agents does:

• Content Agent: Write blogs, optimize your landing pages, and create case studies while staying true to your brand tone.
• Social networking agent: Analyzes the performance of your posts and suggests strategies based on industry best practices.
• Prospecting agent: Sends personalized e-mails and boosts your sales pipeline.
• Customer service agent: automatically answers questions thanks to AI trained on your knowledge base.

Breeze Intelligence: enriched data for informed decisions

Your CRM gets even smarter with Breeze Intelligence:

• Data enrichment: Automatically add relevant information to your customer records.
• Purchase intent detection: Identify the companies most likely to buy your products or services.
• Shortcut forms: Increase your conversion rates with intelligent forms that fill out in the background.

HubSpot's key features for a high-performance website

1. Easy form creation

HubSpot's ergonomic form editor lets you collect leads elegantly. You can even create context-sensitive forms that pop up at just the right moment to maximize your conversions.

2. Marketing campaign automation

HubSpot's automation tools let you create workflows that send e-mails, update contacts in your CRM, or trigger internal notifications.

3. Performance analysis

HubSpot's analytics tools give you a complete view of your site's performance. Measure your conversion rates, track your leads, and adjust your campaigns for even better results.

FAQ : Everything you need to know before migrating

Will I lose my content when I migrate?

No. Your content can be exported from WordPress and imported into HubSpot. Just remember to check your plug-ins and recreate any specific configurations.

Is HubSpot SEO-friendly?

Absolutely. HubSpot includes advanced SEO tools to optimize every page of your site.

Do I need to learn to code?

Not at all. With the drag-and-drop editor, everything is designed to be simple and intuitive.

Why choose HubSpot with if/else?

Migrating your WordPress site to HubSpot means opting for a modern, efficient solution. With its integrated CRM, intuitive editor and powerful marketing tools, HubSpot turns your site into a lead machine. At if/else agency, we're with you every step of the way to ensure a seamless experience and impressive results. So, are you ready to boost your website?

Photo credit : Photo from Maryna Yazbeck on Unsplash