HubSpot vs. Google Analytics: Which Tool Fits Your Business Better?

Many businesses use both HubSpot and Google Analytics (GA) to track website activity, but each platform has unique strengths. In this article, we offer a straightforward comparison to help you understand how each platform serves different business needs and how using them together can enhance your marketing insights.

Comparing HubSpot and Google Analytics

HubSpot: The Integrated Marketing Platform

HubSpot is designed, in part, as an all-in-one marketing, sales and service solution. It offers easy access to web analytics and connects directly with its CRM, helping marketing teams track contacts and campaigns without switching tools. This makes it a practical choice for businesses that need to manage leads and customer interactions alongside basic web analytics.

Google Analytics: In-Depth Website Data

Google Analytics, on the other hand, specializes in detailed website data. It’s great for tracking things like where your traffic comes from, how people navigate your site, and how they interact with different pages. While more complex, GA gives marketers advanced options to explore web traffic and user behavior in depth.

Key Features Overview

• Conversion Tracking: Both platforms help track conversions, but they approach it differently. HubSpot’s focus is on tracking conversions tied to specific marketing actions (like form submissions) within its own tools. GA offers more flexible options for tracking a wide range of user actions, from video views to product page visits, making it ideal for those wanting more granular insights.

• Traffic Reporting: HubSpot simplifies traffic reporting, making it easy to see trends without much setup. GA, however, digs deeper, showing details about who your visitors are, where they’re from, and how they reach your site. This level of detail can be valuable for more tailored marketing strategies.

• Session Tracking: HubSpot and GA track sessions differently, which affects your data. HubSpot resets sessions at midnight, leading to potentially higher session counts. Google Analytics sessions last until a user is inactive, providing a more continuous view of engagement.

• Page Performance: HubSpot integrates page tracking with your marketing campaigns, offering a clear view of which marketing actions drive engagement. GA, on the other hand, focuses on in-depth page analytics, making it useful for understanding how visitors navigate through your site.

Platform Limitations

While both tools offer valuable data, they have limits:

• HubSpot: Its analytics are best suited for tracking interactions tied to specific marketing actions. However, Google Analytics offers more extensive insights for detailed site interactions across your entire website.

• Google Analytics: GA provides thorough website data but lacks HubSpot’s CRM connection, making it harder to tie individual visitor data to specific contacts or sales.

Why Use Both Platforms?

Each platform complements the other. HubSpot excels in tracking marketing performance and contact-based activities, while GA provides deep insights into general website usage and traffic patterns. By using both tools, you gain a fuller picture: HubSpot helps you manage customer relationships and campaigns, while Google Analytics deepens your understanding of website performance and visitor behavior.

In short, HubSpot and GA serve different but compatible purposes. Together, they provide a balanced approach to data that can help you make smarter, more informed marketing decisions.

Partner with a Growth Agency to Maximize HubSpot and Google Analytics

Navigating HubSpot and Google Analytics can be challenging, especially when your primary focus is growing your business, not diving into analytics. That’s where a growth agency can add real value. You don't have to spend time learning every nuance of each platform. Instead, you gain a trusted advisor who tailors insights to your specific objectives, helping you leverage data to make smarter decisions and stay competitive.

Whether you need to connect marketing activities to revenue or deepen your understanding of web traffic, an experienced team can streamline this process, ensuring that your marketing and sales decisions are data-driven and aligned with your growth strategy. If you’re looking to boost performance and enhance your understanding of how digital channels impact your business, reach out to TMC Digital Media, and we'll help turn that data into results.