I posted on Linkedin that I had made the switch from HubSpot to MailerLite, Jotform, and Calendly... Ok, full disclosure, at Stob.AI we still use Hubspot in our AI automated marketing sequences. We particularly like the email tracking and lead management functions.
LinkedIn Post:
"Traditionally, I relied on comprehensive, monolithic platforms that offered all-in-one solutions. While these systems provided robustness, they often lacked flexibility and adaptability. With the advent of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and cloud-based services, a new paradigm has emerged: integrating specialized tools tailored to specific tasks.
This "best-of-breed" or "composable" architecture empowers businesses to select the most effective tools for their unique needs, rather than relying on a single, one-size-fits-all platform. For example, instead of using a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system, a company might integrate Slack for communication, Mailerlite for email marketing, and Zendesk for customer support—all connected via APIs."
A few of my friends and trusted marketers replied:
"I just want everything on Hubspot"
Full disclosure, at Stob.AI we still use Hubspot in our AI marketing automations.
The preference for an all-in-one solution like HubSpot can be seen as a desire for simplicity and ease of management—everything is centralized in one place. While that can be convenient, it can also limit the flexibility and customization that businesses need as they grow and diversify.
By shifting to a modular setup, you're not confined to the limitations of a single platform. Instead, you're free to choose the best tools for each function, which can integrate through APIs, giving you more control over the data and how it's used. For example, by integrating Mailerlite for email marketing, Jotform for data collection, and Calendly for scheduling, you can customize each tool for specific workflows, ensuring they fit your business needs rather than relying on one system to do everything, possibly not as effectively.
Moreover, as businesses grow, the need for scalability and adaptability becomes essential. Modular setups let you introduce new tools, automate workflows based on the complexity of lead sources, and cater to different business models without overhauling the entire system. You can funnel data from different input sources into a more sophisticated CRM system, allowing you to refine and personalize customer interactions.
The key challenge, though, is manageability. Keeping track of multiple platforms can seem complex compared to a single, all-in-one dashboard. But, when designed with thoughtful automation and integration, modular setups can streamline this by consolidating data and actions across tools, enabling your business to focus on delivering value rather than managing systems.
Thoughts for the Future
The future lies in flexibility, not necessarily bundling everything into one tool. By leveraging APIs and integrations, you're allowing your tech stack to evolve with your business, rather than being confined to a static system.