The short answer: the best HubSpot Solutions Partner for your business is one that has implemented the hubs you need, understands the other systems you run (like NetSuite, Xero or an ERP), is clear about who does the hands-on work, and will still support you after go-live. Being local to Australia or New Zealand matters too, for time zones and for understanding how businesses here operate.
HubSpot's partner directory lists hundreds of agencies. They all carry the same "Solutions Partner" label, but they're very different businesses. Some are marketing agencies that also do HubSpot. Others focus on CRM, integrations and operations. Some are large teams, some are specialists.
Here's how to work out which kind of partner you actually need.
Before you start comparing partners, be clear on what you need help with. The right partner for a new website is not necessarily the right partner for a CRM migration. Common needs include:
HubSpot now covers marketing, sales, service, content, data and commerce. Ask which hubs the partner has actually implemented, not just which ones they've been certified in.
Most of the hard problems in HubSpot projects sit at the edges, where HubSpot meets your other systems. If you run NetSuite, Xero, Stripe, an ERP or an ecommerce platform, ask how they've connected those before and how they decide which system owns which data.
Ask who you'll actually be working with day to day, and whether any of the work is outsourced. With a smaller specialist partner, the person scoping the project is usually the person doing it.
A good partner asks how your business runs before talking about HubSpot settings. If the conversation jumps straight to features, the setup may end up reflecting the software rather than your business.
Adoption, reporting and fine-tuning happen in the months after launch. Ask what support looks like once the project is "done".
A partner in Australia or New Zealand works in your time zone, understands local tax and invoicing (GST, AUD and NZD) and knows the systems common here.
A Solutions Partner is an agency or consultancy that's part of HubSpot's partner program and helps businesses implement, integrate and get value from HubSpot. Partners are tiered based on their HubSpot work.
No, but most businesses get better results with one, especially when they're migrating from another CRM, connecting HubSpot to other systems, or setting it up across several teams.
Many can. Buying through a partner means one point of contact for both the subscription and the setup. See our post on buying HubSpot through a partner vs direct.
Sounds like a weird question to be asking when it comes to selecting a partner but it is definitely something to consider. Sometimes a large partner can leave you feel like a number and quite often disconnected and not knowing where your project is at. I hear this on a daily occurence. Don't get too caught up in the sales pitch and the bright shiny promises. Go with the one who has done the work before and has a solid plan to deliver the outcomes you are investing in.
Foundry 11 is a HubSpot Solutions Partner working across Australia and New Zealand, and a Celigo and Portant partner. We implement every HubSpot hub, migrate businesses from other CRMS, and connect HubSpot with systems like NetSuite, Stripe and Xero. If you're looking for a partner, get in touch.