Last updated: June 22, 2026
A migration from Salesforce to HubSpot seems at first like a mammoth task. The technical details, the risk of data loss and the fear of disrupting important operations make many shy away. The respect is warranted, because a successful and stress-free migration is won or lost long before you move a single contact record. It therefore comes down to the right preparation.
Rushed, it easily leads to disaster: incomplete data, lost processes and a frustrated team. A well-planned migration, on the other hand, is a strategic opportunity not only to change your software, but to fundamentally improve your entire go-to-market process. It's a chance to clean up, streamline workflows and build a growth engine that truly works for you.
Based on our experience with numerous data migrations, we have reduced the critical planning phase to a 4-step pre-migration checklist. This is how you minimize the risks and prepare a smooth and successful transition.
1. Review your data & processes: don't migrate the chaos
This is the absolutely most important step. Moving to a new CRM does not magically clean up years of messy data. If you simply lift and move everything out of your Salesforce instance, you're only moving the chaos into a new system. It's therefore essential to be ruthless.
- Review your data: Go through every standard and custom object in Salesforce. Ask yourself: is this data correct? Is it still relevant? Do we actually use it? You will probably find hundreds of old fields, outdated records and duplicate information that can be safely discarded. Your goal is to define the minimum necessary data set you need in order to run your business effectively.
- Review your processes: Map every workflow, approval process and automation currently running in Salesforce. For each, ask: do we still need this? Is there a simpler way to achieve this in HubSpot? Complex processes were often developed to work around the limitations of Salesforce. A new platform is a chance to start fresh with a simpler, more efficient approach.
- Configure properties: Create the necessary custom properties in HubSpot to map the data you want to keep. Use this as an opportunity to establish clear, consistent naming conventions.
- Build your pipelines: Define your sales, marketing and service pipelines in HubSpot. What are the most important stages of your customer journey? Make them simple, clear and intuitive for your team.
- Plan your workflows: Based on your process review, start planning the core automation you will need in HubSpot. This could include lead management, task creation or internal notifications.
- Choose your method: Will you choose HubSpot's native import tools, a third-party migration service like Import2 or a HubSpot partner? Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, complexity and control.
- Map your data: Create a detailed mapping document that shows exactly which Salesforce field will go into which HubSpot property. This is a critical document that will guide the entire technical process.
- Set a timeline: Divide the migration into phases (e.g. test import, full import, QA, go-live) and assign realistic schedules to each phase. Allow enough time to review the test import. Are all entities mapped correctly? Plan the final migration for a low-traffic period, such as a weekend, to minimize business disruption.
2. Define your new environment in HubSpot
Once you know what you're keeping, you need to prepare the environment. That means configuring your HubSpot portal so that it can accommodate the incoming data and support your processes. Don't simply replicate your Salesforce setup; use the opportunity to build it better.
3. Create a detailed technical migration plan
Now you can turn to the technical "how." You need a detailed, step-by-step plan for the actual data migration. This plan should be owned by a single project manager and clearly communicated to all stakeholders.
4. Back everything up (and then back it up again)
This should go without saying, but it's too important to skip. Before you begin any technical migration process, perform a complete backup of your entire Salesforce database. This is your safety net. If something goes wrong, you can always restore your data and try again. Store the backup in a safe, accessible place. Once you have the backup, check it to ensure that it is complete and undamaged. A backup you haven't tested is not a real backup.
Ready to create your plan?
Ready to dive deeper and start building your own migration plan? Our complete "Ultimate Guide to Migrating from Salesforce to HubSpot" contains detailed templates, checklists and expert tips that accompany you at every step of the way. Download it for free today.
Plan your CRM change
Frequently Asked Questions About the Salesforce-to-HubSpot Migration Plan
How do I plan a CRM change from Salesforce to HubSpot?
In four steps: define goals and scope, audit data and processes, prepare field mapping and cleanup, and set a test and go-live plan. A pre-migration checklist ensures that no step is forgotten. Details on the approach in the article Data Migration from Salesforce to HubSpot.
What belongs in a migration plan?
A complete migration plan contains data sources and volumes, field mappings, cleanup rules, responsibilities, test criteria, timeline and a rollback concept.
How do I avoid data loss during the migration?
Through a test migration, validation of the records, duplicate checking and a backup of the Salesforce data before the final import. Our CRM implementation accompanies this process.
