If you're tired of bouncing between sales tools and your CRM, you're not alone. Integrating everything should make life easier, not add another headache. This guide is for anyone who wants to connect Closershq with their favorite CRM—whether that's Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, or something a little less mainstream. You'll get a straight answer about what works, what’s a pain, and which shortcuts are actually worth taking.
Why bother integrating Closershq with your CRM?
Let's be real: manual data entry stinks. If your sales team is flipping between Closershq and your CRM, deals slip through the cracks, reporting is a mess, and nobody trusts the numbers. Integration isn’t about “unlocking synergy”—it’s about saving time and having one source of truth.
Here’s what a good integration gets you:
- No more double entry: Updates in one place show up in the other.
- Cleaner pipeline: No more “phantom deals” or missing contacts.
- Smarter follow-ups: Sales reps see notes and activity history where they work.
But, not every integration is created equal. Some are plug-and-play; others need a bit of elbow grease.
Step 1: Know what you’re working with
Before jumping in, figure out:
- Which CRM are you using? (Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, etc.)
- Which Closershq plan are you on? Some integrations might be limited to higher-tier plans.
- Do you need two-way sync, or just basic push/pull?
- Are you okay with third-party tools, or do you want native integration only?
Pro tip: Write down your must-haves. “Sync contacts both ways” is different from “just push new deals.” It'll save you time later.
Step 2: Check for native integrations
Start with the path of least resistance: see if Closershq offers a direct, built-in integration with your CRM. Here’s the lay of the land as of mid-2024:
Closershq Native Integrations
- Salesforce: Yes, but only for Professional and up.
- HubSpot: Yes, but it’s a little basic—it mostly covers contact sync.
- Pipedrive: Direct integration, but mapping custom fields is limited.
- Zoho CRM: No native integration. You’ll need a workaround.
- Other CRMs: Usually not supported out of the box.
How to check:
Log in to Closershq, go to “Settings” > “Integrations,” and see what’s available. If your CRM pops up, click “Connect” and follow the prompts.
What works (and what doesn’t)
- Works well: Salesforce integration is solid, but expect some setup time.
- Works, but limited: HubSpot and Pipedrive handle basic sync, but don’t expect miracles. Custom fields, deal stages, and activity notes might not map perfectly.
- Doesn’t work: Zoho and niche CRMs are out of luck without third-party help.
If you find what you need, great. If not, move on to the next option.
Step 3: Use third-party integration platforms (Zapier, Make, etc.)
If native integration isn’t cutting it, Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and similar tools can bridge the gap. They’re not perfect, but they get the job done for most teams.
How to set up a Zapier integration (example):
- Sign up for Zapier (or log in).
- Create a new Zap.
- Choose Closershq as the trigger app. Pick an event, like “New Deal Created.”
- Choose your CRM as the action app. Select what you want to happen, like “Create Contact” or “Update Deal.”
- Map the fields. This is where you decide what info goes where. Don’t skip this—bad mapping means bad data.
- Test the Zap. Send a test record through. If it doesn’t work, check your field mappings and permissions.
- Turn it on. Watch for errors, especially in the first week.
What’s good about using Zapier?
- Fast to set up (usually under an hour).
- Works with most major CRMs.
- Flexible triggers and actions.
What’s not so great?
- Can get expensive fast if you have lots of records or need multi-step workflows.
- Lag time: Some Zaps only run every 5-15 minutes, not instantly.
- Field mapping isn’t always perfect. Custom fields can be tricky.
Pro tip: Start with just one or two key automations. Don’t try to sync everything at once.
Step 4: Consider custom integrations (if you have dev resources)
If your setup is unique, or you need something that Zapier can’t handle, Closershq offers an API. This is for teams with access to developers.
What you’ll need:
- API access from Closershq (check your plan).
- API access from your CRM.
- A developer (or someone who can code Python/Node).
Typical workflow:
- Read the API docs for both Closershq and your CRM.
- Decide what you’re syncing: Contacts, deals, activities, notes, etc.
- Write a script or small app to handle the sync.
- Test with dummy data before pushing to production.
- Set up monitoring so you know if something breaks.
Pros and cons:
- Pro: You get exactly what you want.
- Con: Maintenance is on you. If something changes, you’re fixing it.
Honestly: Unless you have a very specific need, custom builds are overkill for most small teams. Stick to native or Zapier unless you hit a hard wall.
Step 5: Set up field mapping and permissions
Whether you’re using a native, third-party, or custom integration, mapping fields is where things usually go sideways.
What to watch out for:
- Name mismatches: “First Name” in Closershq might be “Given Name” in your CRM.
- Custom fields: These rarely map automatically. Do it by hand.
- Required fields: Your CRM might require info Closershq doesn’t collect. Decide what to do (add a default value, or make it required in Closershq).
- User permissions: Make sure the integration user has access to all the stuff you want to sync.
Pro tip: After you map, run a test sync with a few records. Don’t dump your whole database in at once.
Step 6: Test, monitor, and tweak
Integration isn’t “set it and forget it.” Something always breaks, usually when you’re not looking.
- Test with real data, not just the demo.
- Check for duplicates. These are the cockroaches of CRM integrations.
- Watch for missing info (like notes or deal stages).
- Ask your sales team: Is everything showing up where it should?
If you see issues, fix mapping or check permissions. If the integration platform is flaky (looking at you, Zapier on Mondays), set up alerts or regular reviews.
Honest takes: What to ignore
- Don’t try to sync every single field. Focus on what actually matters for your workflow.
- Avoid one-way syncs unless you really need them. Someone will always update the “wrong” system.
- Don’t believe the “integration in minutes” hype. Give yourself time to test and adjust.
Summary: Keep it simple, iterate as you go
Connecting Closershq to your CRM can absolutely save you time, but don’t expect magic. Start with the basics: pick the simplest integration that gets the job done, map only the fields you need, and test before rolling it out. If something’s clunky or breaks, tweak it—don’t be afraid to scale back until it actually helps your team. The less you automate for automation’s sake, the more you’ll actually trust your data.
Now, get your systems talking—and spend less time copying and pasting. Good luck!