If you’ve ever had to manually copy data between your CRM and another tool, you know how much it sucks. Double entry, outdated info, and too many spreadsheets. This guide is for anyone who’s tired of that and just wants their CRM to talk to Getcorrelated reliably, without hours of setup or a computer science degree.
I’ll walk you through connecting your CRM (think Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, or similar) to Getcorrelated, so your data syncs automatically. You’ll get the real scoop on what’s smooth, what’s a pain, and how to avoid common mess-ups.
Step 1: Figure Out What You Actually Need to Sync
Before you even log in anywhere, get clear on what you want out of this integration. Most people sync way more data than they need, which just clutters things up.
Ask yourself: - Which objects do you care about? (Leads, Contacts, Deals, etc.) - Do you need one-way sync (CRM → Getcorrelated), or two-way? - How often does the data need to update—real-time, hourly, daily? - Are there any fields you should not sync? (Sensitive data, internal notes, etc.)
Pro tip: If you can’t answer those questions, grab a coffee and figure it out now. It’ll save you a headache later.
Step 2: Check Your CRM’s Integration Options
Not all CRMs are created equal. Some play nice with outside tools, others… not so much.
Supported Integrations
- Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive: Getcorrelated has prebuilt connectors for these. If you’re using one of them, things are pretty straightforward.
- Other CRMs: You might need to use Zapier, webhooks, or custom API work. Be honest about your technical comfort level here.
Honest take: If your CRM isn’t on the supported list, expect more manual setup and possible weirdness. Sometimes it’s easier to export/import CSVs as a first step to test things out.
Step 3: Prep Your CRM Account
You’ll need the right permissions to connect your CRM to any outside tool. Usually, that means being an admin or having API access.
Checklist: - Make sure you can create or manage integrations in your CRM. - Locate your API key, OAuth credentials, or whatever your CRM uses. - Clean up your data before syncing—bad data only gets messier once it moves around.
Skip the step where you “just try it and see what breaks.” It’s faster in the long run to clean up now.
Step 4: Log Into Getcorrelated and Start the Integration
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Go to Getcorrelated’s Integrations section.
Usually, this is in Settings > Integrations or something similar. -
Pick your CRM from the list.
You’ll see options for Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, etc. -
Authorize the connection.
- For OAuth-based CRMs (most big ones): You’ll be prompted to log in and grant permissions.
- For API-key CRMs: Paste in your API key or token.
Heads up: Some enterprise CRMs require admin approval for new integrations. If you hit a wall, talk to your IT person now instead of banging your head against it for an hour.
Step 5: Map Your Fields (Don’t Skip This)
This is where most syncs go sideways. Take your time.
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See which fields Getcorrelated detects automatically.
It’ll usually pull in standard fields (Name, Email, Deal Value). -
Map custom fields manually.
If you have any custom fields in your CRM, match them up to the right fields in Getcorrelated. -
Decide on sync direction.
- One-way: Data flows from CRM to Getcorrelated (safer for most).
-
Two-way: Changes in Getcorrelated can update your CRM. Only do this if you really know you want it.
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Double check field types.
Mismatched types (e.g., text vs. number) can cause sync errors. If things look odd, stop and fix them before moving on.
Pro tip: Less is more here. Only sync what you need.
Step 6: Set Sync Frequency and Rules
Most tools let you choose how often data syncs and whether to trigger syncs on certain actions.
- Real-time sync: Great if you need up-to-the-minute data, but can be buggy or create API throttling issues.
- Scheduled sync: Hourly or daily is fine for most teams and less stressful on your CRM.
- Conditional sync: Only sync records that meet certain conditions (e.g., only deals over $5,000). This keeps your Getcorrelated workspace tidy.
Honest take: Unless you have a real reason, start with daily or hourly syncs. Real-time sounds cool but is rarely necessary.
Step 7: Test with a Small Data Set
Do not sync your entire CRM right away. Test with a handful of records first.
- Pick a few example records—ideally with different data types and statuses.
- Run a manual sync.
- Check both sides (CRM and Getcorrelated) to make sure everything looks right.
If something doesn’t match up, stop and fix the mapping. Don’t just “hope it’ll fix itself” when you do the full sync.
Step 8: Watch for Errors and Tweak
Even with the cleanest setup, something will go weird eventually: field mismatches, API timeouts, surprise duplicates. That’s normal.
- Check sync logs in both tools. Getcorrelated usually logs sync errors and warnings.
- Look for skipped or failed records. Figure out why before moving forward.
- Adjust mapping or sync rules as needed. Sometimes a field needs to be reformatted, or an extra filter added.
Pro tip: Set up email alerts for sync failures if Getcorrelated or your CRM supports it. Better to know right away.
Step 9: Roll Out to the Whole Team
Once you’ve tested, fixed, and feel good about the setup:
- Let your team know what’s changing and where to look for synced data.
- Update any documentation or internal guides.
- Keep an eye on things for the first week—don’t set it and forget it.
Honest take: Most “seamless” integrations need a little babysitting at first. Don’t be surprised if you’re tweaking things for a while.
Step 10: Maintain and Audit Regularly
Integrations break. APIs change. Field names get updated. Even the best setups need upkeep.
- Review your sync logs every month.
- Remove fields or data you no longer use.
- Do a spot check to make sure everything is still flowing as expected.
Skip the annual “integration clean-up marathon” by doing small, regular checks.
What’s Worth Ignoring?
- Overly complex automations: Start simple. You can always add more rules later.
- Syncing every field: Most teams only use a handful. The rest is just noise.
- “One-click setup” marketing promises: No real integration is ever truly one click. Expect to do some mapping and troubleshooting.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Getting your CRM and Getcorrelated talking can be smooth if you take it step by step and don’t rush. Start small, sync only what you need, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go. Fancy automation is great, but reliable basics are better.
Most of all—don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough. Get the basics working, and you can always improve from there.