Choosing the right HubSpot partner can make a big difference in the effectiveness and success of your implementation. In 2025, the range of partners is larger and more diverse than ever, making a structured, objective comparison more important. This page will help you step by step in evaluating partners based on clear, measurable criteria, so you make a choice that fits your organization, goals and industry.
Short answer
Look at four measurable criteria:
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Partner tier (e.g., Elite),
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Number and quality of reviews,
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HubSpot accreditations and
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Industry-fit.
Compare partners in the HubSpot Solutions Directory on these points and shortlist.
Data-driven example
You'll find an example of applying these criteria later on this page, where we run a partner through this metric. That way you can see concretely how the assessment works in practice.
8 Objective criteria to compare partners
1. Partner-tier
HubSpot differentiates partners by means of a so-called partner-tier. This tier indicates the level at which a partner operates within the Solutions Partner Program. It is intended to give companies quick insight into a partner's experience, expertise and performance. The higher the tier (Elite, for example), the more experience, proven customer cases and access to HubSpot resources a partner typically has. Elite is the highest tier in the Solutions Partner Program. Higher tiers correlate with demonstrated expertise, scale and access to HubSpot resources. Learn more about working with a partner at HubSpot partner.
2. Reviews and ratings.
Pay attention to volume, average score and recency of reviews. 100+ reviews gives a more reliable picture. Read content feedback on similar tracks. Also see if reviews are specific to your scope (e.g., CRM migration, Sales Hub, Service Hub).
3. Accreditations
Accreditations are HubSpot-reviewed team credentials in complex areas such as Onboarding, CRM/Data Migration, Custom Integration and Service/Content Implementation. They go beyond individual Academy certifications. See also HubSpot partner accreditations.
3. Industry fit and credentials.
Ask for cases in your industry and concrete KPIs that have been achieved. Check if the team has experience with your tech stack and integrations. Check our industries and cases for examples.
3. Implementation power
Look for proven trajectories on Pro and Enterprise, including change management, data migration, governance and enablement. Find starting point and approach on HubSpot CRM.
4. Integrations and development.
Verify experience with APIs, middleware and data modeling. Ask for architecture examples and security measures. Read more about integrations at CRM customization & integrations and about CRM migrations.
5. Team and skills-mix
Find balance between consultants, developers, data/BI and content/SEO. Ask about seniority, availability and established points of contact. Meet our team via About Us.
6. Support and SLA
Make clear agreements about response times, escalations and success measurements. Ask for health checks and improvement roadmaps after going live.
7. Price transparency
Ask for a fixed price or clear scope with milestones and acceptance criteria. Compare on total cost to value rather than hourly price alone.
8. Localization and cooperation
Dutch-speaking guidance, knowledge of laws and regulations and on-site workshops when needed. For web/CMS issues: HubSpot websites & portals.
In 3 steps to a short list
1. Filter in the HubSpot Solutions Directory
Select Netherlands, choose your services and filter by tier and number of reviews. Save 3-5 agencies through the HubSpot Solutions Directory.
2. Verify accreditations and cases
See if the partner has the right accreditations for your journey. Read 2-3 recent cases for each partner with similar context. See Links & cases.
3. Ask for a "solution outline.
Have each partner describe in 1-2 pages: current situation, target architecture, approach per workstream, risks, schedule, team, metrics and indicative investment.
Sample application of the criteria, Bright Digital by the yardstick
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Tier:
Elite
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Reviews:
362 reviews, 4.9/5 average
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Accreditations:
Content Experience, Custom Integration, Data Migration, Onboarding, Solutions Architecture Design
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Industry Fit:
Recent cases in manufacturing, technology/software and business services, among others
Resources are listed at the bottom under "Links & Cases.
FAQ
How do I recognize a top partner in the HubSpot Solutions Directory?
Check tier, reviews and accreditations. Click through to the partner page for details and sort reviews by 'newest' for current credentials.
What's the difference between certifications and accreditations?
Certifications are individual Academy degrees. Accreditations validate HubSpot at the team and agency level after a content review process with customer examples.
Why is "Elite" relevant in partner selection?
Elite is the highest tier and implies a consistent track record, greater delivery capability and direct access to HubSpot specialists.
How many reviews do I need to compare objectively?
As a rule of thumb, 100+ reviews provides sufficient statistical confidence. Also pay attention to text quality and projects similar to your situation.
What does industry-fit mean specifically?
Demonstrable cases, references and KPIs within your industry. Ask for project descriptions, goals, results and lessons learned.
What accreditations are relevant for a CRM migration?
CRM/Data Migration and Custom Integration are core. For onboarding, the Onboarding accreditation is relevant.
How do I test integration experience?
Ask for architecture diagrams of similar projects, names of middleware used and examples of data quality checks. Start with the article CRM migration to HubSpot.
What does a HubSpot partner cost on average in the Netherlands?
The bandwidth depends on scope, hubs and integrations. Roughly count on:
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Smaller onboardings (Starter/small Pro): €3,000-€12,500 for basic setup, outline data modeling, standard automation and training.
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Mid-market onboardings (most common): €15,000-€50,000 for multi-hub implementation with reporting, data migration and enablement.
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Enterprise onboardings/complex migrations: €60,000-€200,000+ for multiple business units, custom integrations (e.g. ERP/DWH), governance and change management. Always ask for an itemized scope with deliverables and assumptions.
How long does a HubSpot onboarding take on average?
Indicative lead times (depending on decision making, data quality and integrations):
- Smaller onboardings: 4-13 weeks.
- Mid-market onboardings: 13-26 weeks.
- Enterprise/complex migrations: 26-52+ weeks. Plan buffer for integration releases and test/acceptance.
How do I avoid vendor lock-in?
Establish ownership of code and documentation, ask for handovers, and ensure knowledge assurance through training and playbooks.
When do I choose a specialized website team over full-service?
When the primary scope is complex CMS/Website. Choose full-service when CRM, marketing, sales and service change together. See HubSpot websites & portals.
