Creating and Updating Contacts

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Updating Contacts in HubSpot

Introduction:

This guide will walk you through the basics of managing contacts within HubSpot. Contacts are the lifeblood of any CRM, and understanding how to create and update them is crucial for maintaining accurate and effective client relationships.

1. Finding the Contacts Section:

• Login: First, log into HubSpot using the credentials provided. (Remember to refer to the "A Step-by-Step Guide to Accounts in HubSpot" for login and account selection instructions.)
• Navigation: Once logged in, look for the left-hand sidebar menu. Find the "CRM" dropdown, click it, then select "Contacts" to access the main contacts dashboard.

2. Creating a New Contact:

• "Create Contact" Button: On the contacts dashboard, you'll see a prominent orange button labeled "Create contact." Click this button.
• Entering Contact Information: A side panel will appear, prompting you to enter the contact's details. At a minimum, you'll want to include:
  • Email address (required)
  • First name
  • Last name
  • Company name (if applicable)
• Additional Properties: HubSpot offers a wide range of properties to store additional information, such as phone number, job title, and website. Fill in any relevant details.
• Saving the Contact: Once you've entered the necessary information, click the "Create contact" button at the bottom of the side panel.

3. Updating an Existing Contact:

• Finding the Contact: Use the search bar on the contacts dashboard to find the contact you want to update. You can search by name, email address, or company.
• Opening the Contact Record: Click on the contact's name to open their contact record.
• Editing Properties: On the contact record, you'll see all the contact's properties. Hover over the property you want to edit, and click the "Edit" button (pencil icon) that appears.
• Making Changes: Make the necessary changes to the property value, and then click the "Save" button (checkmark icon).
• Saving the Updates: The updates will be saved automatically.

4. Important Notes:

• Data Accuracy: Always double-check the accuracy of the information you enter. Inaccurate data can lead to communication errors and inefficiencies.
• Consistency: Maintain consistency in how you enter data. For example, use a standard format for phone numbers and company names.
• Notes and Activities: Use the notes and activity section on the contact record to log any important interactions or information.

5. Additional Help:

• Hubspot has a very robust help section. If you are ever unsure of how to do something, use the help search bar to look up the issue.
• You can also search for 'contacts' in the Hubspot Academy to access video tutorials and guides - https://app.hubspot.com/academy/23487903/results?search=contacts

6. Growth Opportunities:

• Contact Segmentation: Explore how to segment contacts based on various properties to create targeted lists for marketing and sales efforts.
• Contact Workflows: Investigate how workflows can automate tasks related to contact management, such as sending follow-up emails or updating contact properties.
• Contact Properties and Customization: Deepen your understanding of contact properties and how to create custom properties to track specific information relevant to your business.
• Contact Integrations: Learn about integrating HubSpot contacts with other tools and platforms to streamline data flow and improve efficiency.