HubSpot launched its Payments program in 2021. Many people thought it would be the answer to their problems when selling products using Stripe with HubSpot. 

But despite the anticipated launch, HubSpot payments doesn't solve many of the problems it hoped to solve. 

This article will break down the HubSpot payment platform, why you should or shouldn't use it, and an alternative. 

By the end of this article you should have enough information to make a decision on what your business should use.

HubSpot Payments Explained 

When HubSpot payments launched, the idea was to bring e-commerce and digital selling tools onto HubSpot. 

Streamline B2B buying with CRM-powered payments.

That's the headline used by HubSpot to position HubSpot payments. 

HubSpot continues to say:

B2B payments bring the buying journey inside your CRM platform, combining your commerce data with your customer data. This powerful combination creates a delightful purchase process for your customers and your internal teams.

HubSpot payments are built directly into HubSpot. Customers can easily take payments without using third-party integrations. 

Your account needs to be a premium edition of HubSpot, with advanced functionality in Sales Hub for quotes.

The solution is meant for HubSpot customers selling non-physical goods (ex: software, services, events, courses, content, donations, etc.). It's less suitable for those shipping physical goods, as HubSpot does not calculate taxes or shipping fees at this time.

HubSpot payments are only available to businesses or organizations located in the U.S. that have a U.S. bank account and are using a paid version of HubSpot.

It's also important to note that to use HubSpot payments, all customers must apply. 

By applying, HubSpot can dictate who gets to use the payments platform and who doesn't. 

Depending on your business and application, you may have to wait before getting accepted into the program. 

What role does Stripe provide for HubSpot payments?

HubSpot connects with Stripe to take the payments. 

Stripe provides the underlying infrastructure for payment features that are built into HubSpot. That means payment data will be here in your CRM. You'll simplify your process with one less tool and make it easier for your team to support customers.

Important note: If you plan on using HubSpot payments, you can not use your existing Stripe account. 

You will have to create a new account with HubSpot. 

So if you have products already created, you won't be able to import those products into HubSpot. 

How Much does it cost to use HubSpot payments? 

If you want to use the Credit/Debit card function, it will cost you 2.9% of the transaction amount.

If you plan on using ACH payments, you pay 0.5% of the transaction amount, capped at $10 per ACH transaction.

HubSpot Payments Features 

Some of the HubSpot payment features include:

  • The ability to collect one-time and recurring payments 
  • Syncing customer sales data in the HubSpot CRM 
  • Embeddable payment links
  • Bring the front and back offices together with a single source of truth for customer and commerce data
  • Invoice creation

Things HubSpot Payments Can't Do

Unfortunately, there are some things HubSpot payments do not do well, which include:

  • You can't use your current Stripe account.
  • You can't import past Stripe products into HubSpot payments.
  • You can't use PayPal or other payment processors '
  • You have to live in the United States to use HubSpot payments 
  • It doesn't allow for donation creation.
  • It doesn't have a customer  portal 
  • You can't offer discount/coupon codes 
  • You can't customize the payment links to match your brand 
  • You can't offer order bumps.
  • You can't provide one-click upsells 
  • You can't offer add-ons.
  • You can't offer product variants. 

What is Cartfuel, and how does that compare to HubSpot Payments?

Cartfuel is a third-party HubSpot integration and payments tool. 

Cartfuel allows B2B sellers to create embeddable payment forms that work on any website. 

Meaning you can collect payments for one-time or recurring products, including:

  • Ticket sales
  • Donations 
  • Membership/Membership Dues
  • Consulting/Coaching 
  • Courses 
  • Events 

When a successful transaction is complete, you can track and manage all sales from your CRM. 

Cartfuel streamlines the buying process like HubSpot payments, so there is a 360-degree view of your customers in the CRM.

But unlike HubSpot payments, Cartfuel has more features that most B2B digital sellers need in today's modern world. 

When to Use Cartfuel vs. HubSpot Payments 

HubSpot payments or Cartfuel? Which one should you use? 

It depends on your goals, buying procedure, and marketing funnel. 

If you don't have the intention of maximizing your customer's average order value through things like:

  • One-click Upsells
  • Order Bumps
  • Add Ons
  • Donations 
  • Accepting payments with PayPal
  • Brand customization

Then HubSpot payments may be enough for you and your business. 

But if you're looking for a bit more functionality, read on. 

Here's the complete list of reasons why you may want to use Cartfuel instead of HubSpot payments:

  • Want to use your Current Stripe account 
  • Want to import past Stripe products
  • Want to use PayPal or other payment processors '
  • You live outside of the United States (HubSpot Payments is currently only available in the U.S.). 
  • You are a non-profit organization and need to accept donations.
  • You want a customer portal 
  • Want to take discount/ offer coupon codes 
  • Want to customize the payment links to match your brand 
  • Want offer order bumps
  • Want to offer one-click upsells 
  • Want to offer add ons
  • Want to offer product variants 
  • Want to connect to other third-party integration(s)

If you want to learn how to start using Cartfuel with HubSpot, then continue reading as we break it down step by step. 

Check also HubSpot Payments vs DepositFix.

How to use Cartfuel with HubSpot

If you want to use Cartfuel, you must connect your Hubspot account to Cartfuel. 

Here are the steps you need to take:

  1. Go to HubSpot marketplace and install Cartfuel (it comes with a free 14-day trial)
  2. Connect your Stripe account to Cartfuel
  3. Create a payment form with your one-time or recurring product 
  4. Embed the payment form on your website

Installing Cartfuel to your HubSpot account

Installing the Cartfuel app is as easy as clicking the install app button in the HubSpot app marketplace. 

Connecting Stripe to Cartfuel

When your HubSpot account is connected to Cartfuel, you can connect your Stripe account. 

‍Note: Cartfuel uses Stripe to process payments. But unlike HubSpot, Cartfuel doesn't need you to create a new Stripe account. Also, Cartfuel works in countries outside of the United States.

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Creating Products In Cartfuel

Before you can use Cartfuel you need to create products.

Note: We sync your Stripe products when you connect your Stripe account.

In Cartfuel in the left-hand side bar select the shopping icon which will bring you to the products table.

Once you click "New Product" button you will see a popup modal.

You can select a one-time, subscription or order bump product.

Enter a product name, statement descriptor, product code, subheadline, product category and price.

After you create your product(s) you will need to create your payment forms.

Creating A Payment Form In Cartfuel

Click the folder icon to create a new payment form. In the payment form table click "New Form" button.

Give your payment form a name.

Then you will want to add the products to your payment form that you previously created. Click in the dropdown box to start adding your products. You can add multiple products including one-time and subscriptions.

After adding your products click on the attributes tab.

You can select different attributes including changing the style pack, adding a HubSpot form or changing the form style. You can also modify the form with adding coupons, shipping and billing, and more.

After you modify your form click the text tab.

You can modify the form further by adding a header text, changing the placeholder and button text.

You can add additional features like upsells, but it's not required for your payment form to function.

Once you're done click on the "Save Changes" button.

A popup modal will appear providing the two code snippets needed to embed Cartfuel on your website.

Embedding Cartfuel on Your Website 

After creating your payment form, you can embed it on your website or landing page. 

All you need to embed your new payment form is the code snippet Cartfuel provides you. 

No need to worry; you don't need any coding knowledge.

The code for your payment form needs to be added wherever you want it to appear on your website.

HubSpot, for example, requires both HTML and Embed elements to be added to your site.

Here's an example of what it will look like once embedded:

Once the payment form is on your site and linked to HubSpot, you can see customer data as purchases are made through the checkout form. 

Here's a video explaining this process in depth. 

How much does Cartfuel cost? 

Cartfuel costs a flat fee of $97/mo. There are no additional transaction fees, and each account comes with a 14-day trial. 

The Verdict? 

It depends on your goals and what you want to offer your customers. If you want something simple, live in the United States, and don't mind using a new Stripe account, HubSpot payments may be the best option. 

If you want something that has more functionality, is easy to use, and sends the transaction data into HubSpot - then Cartfuel may be the best option. 

Both sync with HubSpot data to help B2B companies make more money.

Regardless of what you choose, you should try out Cartfuel for at least 10-days since it's free. No strings attached. 

If you're interested, and want to learn more you can sign-up here. 

Best Practices for Optimizing Payment Processes with HubSpot Payments

To maximize the effectiveness of HubSpot Payments, you should adopt best practices that enhance the payment experience for your customers while streamlining your internal processes. Here are several strategies to consider:

  1. Simplify the Checkout Experience: A complicated checkout process can lead to cart abandonment. You should aim for a streamlined experience by minimizing the number of steps required to complete a purchase. HubSpot Payments allows for the integration of payment links directly into emails, landing pages, or blogs, enabling customers to make quick payments without unnecessary navigation.
  2. Leverage Analytics for Insights: HubSpot’s CRM capabilities offer valuable insights into customer behavior and payment trends. By analyzing this data, you can identify patterns, such as peak purchasing times or common abandoned cart triggers, and adjust the strategies accordingly. For example, implementing targeted follow-up emails for abandoned carts can help recover lost sales.
  3. Offer Multiple Payment Options: While HubSpot Payments primarily supports credit and ACH payments, offering flexibility can enhance customer satisfaction. Consider integrating additional payment methods through third-party tools or complementary services to accommodate varying customer preferences. For example, providing options for digital wallets or local payment methods can help attract a broader customer base.
  4. Maintain Clear Communication: Transparency is vital in the payment process. Ensure that customers are informed about the payment methods accepted, transaction fees, and expected timelines for processing. Sending confirmation emails or SMS notifications after a successful transaction can also enhance the customer experience by keeping them informed.
  5. Regularly Review and Update Payment Settings: As business needs evolve, so should payment settings. Regularly reviewing payment processes can help identify areas for improvement. Businesses should assess their pricing structures, subscription models, and any associated fees to ensure they remain competitive and aligned with market standards.
  6. Implement Automated Recurring Billing: If you are utilizing subscription models, automating recurring billing can save time and reduce errors. HubSpot Payments allows for the setup of recurring transactions, ensuring customers are billed accurately and on time, which can improve cash flow and customer retention.
  7. Solicit Customer Feedback: Finally, actively seeking feedback from customers about their payment experiences can provide valuable insights. Use surveys or follow-up emails to gather opinions on the checkout process, payment options, and overall satisfaction. This information can guide improvements and demonstrate to customers that their opinions matter.

By implementing these best practices, you can optimize the payment processes with HubSpot Payments, leading to improved customer experiences, reduced friction in transactions, and ultimately, increased revenue.

FAQ

How do you connect Stripe to HubSpot?

There are a few different ways to connect your Stripe account to HubSpot.

You can use the native HubSpot Stripe integration.

You can use HubSpot payments.

Or you can use a third-party integration like Cartfuel. 

Here's an article explaining how you can do that

Who is eligible to use the HubSpot payments tool?

Payments are only supported in the U.S. for now. 

Customers must  have a premium edition of HubSpot, with advanced functionality in Sales Hub for quotes

Does PayPal integrate with HubSpot payments?

HubSpot payments does not connect with PayPal. If you want to use PayPal with HubSpot, you will need to use a third-party tool like Cartfuel or Depositfix. 

If you want to try Cartfuel checkout our Free 14-Day Trial or book a demo call with us.

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