Thinking about migrating to HubSpot CMS? Making the switch is a big decision, and you're right to be thorough. We've guided dozens of companies through this exact process, and we'll help you get it right.
Here's what most decision makers miss: a CMS migration isn't just a technical project. It's a strategic transformation that can either accelerate your revenue growth or become a costly distraction.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about migrating to HubSpot CMS in 2026, from building your business case to executing a flawless launch. Whether you're a marketing director evaluating options or an IT leader planning the technical details, you'll find actionable insights to make your migration successful.
Weighing pros and cons of moving to HubSpot CMS?
We’ve helped several companies do it and can tell you more about your options.
What is HubSpot CMS? (2026 Platform Overview)
HubSpot CMS is a content management system built directly into the HubSpot platform, now part of Content Hub. Unlike traditional CMS platforms that require separate tools for marketing automation, CRM, and analytics, HubSpot CMS gives you everything in one unified system.
Key differentiators in 2026
- Native CRM integration: Every website visitor automatically syncs with your contact database
- AI-powered content tools: Built-in content assistant, SEO recommendations, and smart content personalization
- Drag-and-drop editing: Marketers can update pages without developer support
- Enterprise security: SOC 2 Type II certified with automatic security updates
- Global CDN and hosting: 99.99% uptime SLA with automatic scaling
Recent updates brought significant AI capabilities, including content generation tools, predictive lead scoring, and automated A/B testing. Content Hub now includes advanced features like memberships, video hosting, and podcasts, making it a complete content platform rather than just a website builder.
Why Migrate to HubSpot CMS? The Business Case
Unified Marketing Ecosystem Benefits
The biggest advantage of HubSpot CMS is eliminating data silos. When your website, CRM, email marketing, and sales tools all live in one platform, you get:
Real-time personalization
Show different content based on industry, company size, lifecycle stage, or previous interactions. No third-party tools required.
Seamless lead tracking
See exactly which pages a prospect visited before they converted, which emails they opened, and which sales conversations happened. Attribution becomes automatic.
Built-in optimization tools
A/B test headlines, CTAs, and page layouts without installing plugins or writing code. HubSpot tracks statistical significance and declares winners automatically.
Cross-team visibility
Marketing knows when sales contacts a lead. Sales sees which content prospects engage with. Service teams access the full customer journey. Everyone works from the same data.
Technical Advantages Over Traditional CMS
If you're currently managing WordPress or Drupal, you know the pain of plugin conflicts, security patches, and hosting headaches. HubSpot CMS eliminates these issues:
Enterprise-grade security
SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance built in. No security plugins to manage or update.
Global CDN and 99.99% uptime
Your site loads fast everywhere in the world. HubSpot handles all infrastructure, scaling, and performance optimization.
No plugin management
Forget version conflicts and compatibility issues. Core functionality like forms, CTAs, and analytics work out of the box.
Automatic updates
HubSpot maintains the platform. You never worry about core updates breaking your site.
ROI and Cost Considerations
Let's talk numbers. The total cost of ownership for HubSpot CMS is often lower than WordPress or Drupal when you factor in hidden costs:
| Cost Category | WordPress/Drupal | HubSpot CMS |
|---|---|---|
|
Hosting |
$100-$500/month |
Included |
|
Security plugins & monitoring |
$50-$200/year |
Included |
|
Premium plugins & themes |
$200-$1,000/year |
Included |
|
SSL certificate |
$99/year |
Included |
|
Developer maintenance (2-5 hrs/month) |
$500-$1,000/month for software updates and upgrades |
Included |
|
Separate marketing automation |
$500-$2,000/month |
Included |
|
Total Monthly Cost |
$1,220-$3,700 |
$450-$1,500 |
Typical ROI timeline: Most companies see positive ROI within 6-12 months through improved lead conversion rates, better attribution data, and reduced technical overhead.
Revenue attribution improvements: With unified tracking, you can finally answer "which marketing activities drive revenue?" Companies typically see 20-30% improvement in marketing ROI visibility after migrating to HubSpot CMS.
Pre-Migration Assessment: What You Need to Know
Before you start migrating, you need a clear picture of what you're working with. Skip this step and you'll face delays, budget overruns, and frustrated stakeholders.
Key areas to audit:
- Current website inventory (page count, custom functionality, integrations)
- Third-party tools and systems that need to connect to HubSpot
- Content that's outdated or should be archived
- SEO equity you need to preserve (rankings, backlinks, traffic)
- Design and brand requirements for the new site (migrations usually bring over your existing design, but we can also create a new design during the process)
The HubSpot CMS Migration Process: Five Phases
A typical HubSpot CMS migration takes 5-8 weeks for most mid-sized websites (50-500 pages). Here's the high-level process:
Phase 1: Discovery and Planning (Week 1)
Get stakeholders aligned on goals, document technical requirements, and identify potential risks.
Phase 2: Template and Page Development (Weeks 2-4)
Build custom templates, create modules for unique functionality, and set up your staging environment.
Phase 3: Content Migration (Week 5-6)
Map your old URLs to new ones, set up 301 redirects, migrate all content and metadata, and optimize images.
Phase 4: Testing and Optimization (Week 7)
Test across devices and browsers, optimize performance for Core Web Vitals, and conduct user acceptance testing.
Phase 5: Launch and Post-Migration (Week 8)
Update DNS records, monitor for issues, train your team, and plan ongoing optimization.
Common Migration Challenges and How to Solve Them
Large Site Migrations (1000+ Pages)
Challenge: Manually migrating thousands of pages is time-consuming and error-prone.
Solution: Use HubSpot's API and migration tools to automate bulk content import. Work with a certified partner who has experience with large-scale migrations.
Maintaining SEO Rankings During Transition
Challenge: Losing organic traffic during migration.
Solution: Implement comprehensive 301 redirects, maintain URL structure where possible, and migrate all metadata. Monitor Google Search Console daily post-launch. Most sites see temporary ranking fluctuations but recover within 2-4 weeks with proper redirects.
Complex E-commerce Requirements
Challenge: HubSpot CMS isn't a native e-commerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce.
Solution: Integrate HubSpot with your e-commerce platform using native integrations or custom APIs. Use HubSpot for marketing content while your e-commerce platform handles transactions.
Guide to Finding the Right HubSpot Consultant Expert
Choosing the right HubSpot migration partner is essential for transforming your website into a powerful sales engine. You deserve a team that not only is a HubSpot expert, but also understands your challenges, is attentive, and can help your company reach its goals.
HubSpot CMS Pricing and Investment
HubSpot CMS Hub pricing (2025):
HubSpot offers several subscription tiers.
- Starter (basic website hosting and content tools)
- Professional (3 seats included, advanced features, memberships, A/B testing)
- Enterprise (5 seats included, advanced permissions, partitioning, custom objects)
For detailed pricing information, you can see their website, or as a HubSpot Certified Solutions Partner, we can help you choose the tier that best suits your website needs.
Migration service costs through Whittington Consulting:
- Small sites (10-50 pages): $5,000 - $10,000
- Medium sites (50-200 pages): $10,000 - $15,000
- Large sites (200-1000+ pages): $15,000 - $25,000+
These ranges include development/migration, content migration, and training. Costs vary based on custom functionality, integrations, and content complexity. For the most up-to-date pricing based on your needs, please request a consultation here.
Choosing the Right Migration Partner
Not all HubSpot partners offer services the same way. Here's what to look for:
Key questions to ask:
- How many HubSpot CMS migrations have you completed?
- Can you share case studies in my industry?
- What's your process for SEO preservation?
- How do you handle custom functionality and integrations?
- What does post-launch support look like?
Red flags to avoid:
- No certified HubSpot developers on staff
- Can't provide references or case studies
- Unclear pricing or scope
- Promises unrealistic timelines
Why Whittington Consulting?
Whittington Consulting is a digital marketing agency that helps B2B companies, healthcare providers, and senior living organizations make their websites into sales engines. We specialize in HubSpot, SEO, digital marketing, and website redesign to generate qualified leads and grow revenue.
Our migration approach focuses on three pillars:
- Grow your audience: Preserve and improve your SEO during migration
- Optimize your website: Build a faster, more secure, better-performing site
- Convert leads to customers: Create clear conversion paths and unified tracking
We've successfully migrated dozens of websites to HubSpot CMS, from small business sites to complex enterprise platforms. Our team includes certified HubSpot developers, SEO specialists, and content strategists who work together to ensure your migration succeeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a typical HubSpot CMS migration take?
Most migrations take 5-8 weeks from kickoff to launch. Small sites (under 50 pages) can be completed in 3-5 weeks. Large, complex sites with custom functionality may take 6-10 weeks.
Will we lose our SEO rankings when migrating to HubSpot?
Not if you do it right. Proper 301 redirects, metadata migration, and URL structure preservation protect your SEO equity. Most sites see temporary ranking fluctuations for 2-4 weeks post-launch, then recover or improve.
What happens to our existing blog posts and content?
All your blog posts and content migrate to HubSpot. We preserve your URL structure, metadata, images, and formatting. Your blog archive remains intact.
How much does it cost to migrate to HubSpot CMS?
Migration costs range from $5,000 for small sites to $25,000+ for large enterprise sites. Most mid-sized B2B websites (50-200 pages) invest $10,000 - $15,000 for a complete migration.
Can we keep our current domain and URLs?
Yes. You keep your domain and can maintain your URL structure. We update your DNS records to point to HubSpot's hosting, but your domain stays the same.
What level of technical expertise is needed post-migration?
One of HubSpot CMS's biggest advantages is that marketers can update content without developer support. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create new pages and publish blog posts.
How does HubSpot CMS compare to WordPress for enterprise sites?
HubSpot CMS offers better security, automatic updates, unified marketing tools, and no plugin management. For enterprise B2B companies focused on lead generation and marketing ROI, HubSpot CMS can provide better total value depending on your business and needs.
Ready to Eliminate Data Silos and See True ROI?
Migrating to HubSpot CMS transforms your website from a standalone marketing asset into a unified growth engine. You'll eliminate data silos, improve lead tracking, reduce technical overhead, and give your marketing team the tools they need to drive revenue.
The key to a successful migration is working with a partner who understands both the technical details and the strategic implications. At Whittington Consulting, we've guided dozens of B2B companies through HubSpot CMS migrations, preserving their SEO equity while unlocking new growth opportunities.
Ready to eliminate data silos and see a true ROI from your website? Schedule a free, no-obligation migration assessment with our certified HubSpot experts today.
Contact us today to get started, or explore our HubSpot services to learn more about how we help companies grow with HubSpot.
