When it comes to implementing and promoting sites on the Internet, there are basically software tools from $0 (Joomla CMS with ad sponsored hosting) to $9k per year (Hubspot’s mid level plan). The question is which option provides the best ROI and makes the most sense for your small business.
First, don’t get fooled by any tool! While Hubspot, Joomla CMS or something else may offer great opportunities, they are simply tools that help you get the job done easier and better providing you a competitive advantage. On the other hand, they could just represent an expense in terms of time and/or money if not implemented correctly.
With a great deal of experience using Joomla CMS and other free or paid web tools, I list here pros and cons I found with Hubspot.
Hubspot’s Pros:
- Collection of Internet marketing tools well integrated with your website and social media channels. Most Joomla business users don't take advantage of these additional tools because they are not integrated in the CMS itself.
- Works with your existing website if you don’t use Hubspot’s CMS.
- Integrated email marketing.
- Hubspot CMS is easy to use so an X generation small business owner with low technical skills will have no issues managing it.
- Integrated CRM. Most businesses have their website leads come to their email and they don’t know the origin of these leads. Hubspot easily solves this problem.
- Lead nurturing program which helps businesses follow up with their potential customers more often.
- If you use all hubspot tools as they recommend, you’re likely to make money assuming you have a good business plan, are enthusiastic about your business and have enough time and energy to invest.
- Plenty of marketing materials with a focus on business ROI and additional learning.
- Affordable compared to hiring an “average” or “inexperienced” Internet marketing agency to do your website work.
- You’re unlikely to be overwhelmed with data analysis. On the other side, if a small business owner showed you their Google Analytics, most of them could just explain their total monthly traffic volume.
- A lot of smart and good people working with hubspot such as @kirstenpetra
- They use and live by all approaches that they recommend to their own clients.
- Free Trial. 7 days should be enough to give you an idea of if you like it or not.
Hubspot’s Cons:
- Hubspot does not create content for you. They never promise it but for the monthly cost, you may expect your website to operate in a cruise control mode without requiring your time.
- Hubspot’s statistics are made for self-service and simplistic. Therefore, you won’t be able to dig in deeper if you notice dips in your traffic or conversions to really figure out what is happening. And you may still have to pay more for an experienced Internet marketer to tell you what’s happening.
- Google Analytics beats Hubspot in many ways and it’s free. You can use free tutorials to figure out how to use it.
- Hubspot does not have enough depth for an experienced Internet user or Internet marketer meaning you cannot slice and manipulate data enough.
- I’m yet to see one good site built on hubspot CMS that is not simplistic. I agree that nice or complex sites are not the only factor but nicer looking and better formatted sites enhance visitor trust and let you convert those comparing you to your competition.
- You still have to pay $75/hr+ to get expert help if you need it.
- Hubspot has been started on venture fund of $5 million. These investors are looking for a huge ROI. They are not interested in a small growth. Therefore, it’s guaranteed that you as a Hubspot user will be squeezed for as much money as possible as quickly as possible.
- The initial cost is too steep for most small businesses I know and I only work with small businesses in developed countries.
- With Hubspot’s cost of almost $10k per year (middle plan), hiring a consultant from $2,500 to $5,000 per month as recommended by Hubspot's Peter Caputa and having a site designed correctly, you should get ready to burn money fast.
- No innovative tools. You can easily find free and inexpensive web tools that do the same tasks. I'm really hoping to see more from Hubspot's MIT folks in the coming months and years.
- If you want a serious CRM, you’ll have to spend more on SalesForce integration. As an alternative, you can integrate vTiger CRM with a Joomla CMS for a closed loop marketing system.
- There is nothing that prevents your competitors to switch to Hubspot and therefore you would have no competitive advantage related to internet marketing tools you use.
My Conclusion:
- I believe that hubspot.com helps small business owners focus their Internet marketing energy and time for the best business ROI without help from an Internet marketing agency or consultant.
Interesting Feedback: 
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Questions:
- What does the future hold for Hubspot?
- Will Hubspot get eaten up by cheaper Hubspot’s copycats?
- Will Hubspot create some new and innovative tools not found elsewhere?
