Getting Started with HubSpot CMS: A Comprehensive Guide

HubSpot CMS is a powerful content management system that combines ease of use with enterprise-level features. Whether you're a developer, marketer, or business owner, understanding HubSpot CMS can transform how you build and manage websites.

What is HubSpot CMS?

HubSpot CMS is a fully integrated content management system that's part of the HubSpot platform. It offers:

Drag-and-drop page builder for easy content creation

Built-in SEO recommendations to improve search rankings

Advanced security features including SSL, WAF, and threat detection

Marketing automation integration for personalized experiences

Developer-friendly tools with HubL templating language

Key Features

1. Content Management Made Easy

HubSpot CMS provides an intuitive interface that makes content creation accessible to everyone. The drag-and-drop editor allows marketers to create and update pages without coding knowledge, while developers have full control through custom modules and templates.

2. Built-in Marketing Tools

Unlike traditional CMS platforms, HubSpot CMS comes with integrated marketing tools:

Email marketing

Lead capture forms

Analytics and reporting

A/B testing

Personalization tokens

3. Performance and Security

HubSpot CMS includes:

Global CDN for fast page loads

Automatic SSL certificates

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

DDoS protection

Regular security updates

Getting Started

Step 1: Set Up Your Account

First, you'll need a HubSpot account. You can start with a free trial to explore the platform's capabilities.

Step 2: Choose a Theme

Select a theme that matches your brand and business needs. The Realize theme is an excellent choice for businesses looking for a modern, professional design with extensive customization options.

Step 3: Create Your First Page

Use the page editor to:

Select a template

Add modules (text, images, CTAs, forms)

Customize styling

Optimize for SEO

Publish

Step 4: Set Up Your Navigation

Create a clear site structure with:

Primary navigation menu

Footer links

Breadcrumbs for better UX

Best Practices

Use Modules for Consistency

Create reusable modules to maintain design consistency across your site. This makes updates easier and ensures brand coherence.

Optimize for Mobile

Always preview your pages on mobile devices. HubSpot CMS provides responsive design tools, but testing is crucial.

Leverage Smart Content

Use smart content to show different content to different visitors based on:

Location

Device type

Lifecycle stage

List membership

Monitor Performance

Use HubSpot's analytics to track:

Page views

Conversion rates

Bounce rates

Session duration

Developer Resources

For developers, HubSpot offers:

HubL Templating Language

HubL is HubSpot's templating language, similar to Jinja2. It allows you to:

Create dynamic content

Build custom modules

Add conditional logic

Loop through data

Local Development

Use the HubSpot CLI to:

bash

npm install -g @hubspot/cli

hs init

hs watch

Custom Modules

Build custom modules with:

HTML + HubL

CSS

JavaScript

Module fields for customization

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics:

Explore the HubSpot Academy for free training

Join the HubSpot Community for support

Experiment with themes like Realize

Build your first custom module

Integrate with other HubSpot tools

HubSpot CMS provides everything you need to create professional, high-performing websites. Start small, learn continuously, and scale as your needs grow.