From AI to e-commerce: Predictions for INBOUND24 and HubSpot’s future

Having been a HubSpot partner since 2011, I’ve attended countless INBOUND events and witnessed firsthand HubSpot’s incredible evolution. From the introduction of its CRM in 2014 to the launch of the Service Hub in 2018. Each event continues to impress.

This year, INBOUND24 promises to deliver again with new product announcements and game-changing innovations.

Given the rapid pace of development in AI, data privacy, and HubSpot’s role as a unified data platform, I wanted to share my predictions for what we might expect from HubSpot this year.

The evolution of AI integration

AI has been a significant focus for HubSpot, and it’s an area that I’m particularly excited about.?

Last year, we saw the introduction of AI-driven personalisation tools and assistants which were a huge hit with many of our clients. But I believe that INBOUND24 will take AI integration to the next level.

What I’m hoping to see is more customisation when it comes to AI tools. Right now, many of HubSpot’s AI features work well but within fairly defined parameters.?

Imagine the possibilities if we could train AI agents in HubSpot to adapt to our specific business needs. This could revolutionise how we approach everything from customer service to marketing automation.?

I predict that we’ll see HubSpot not just expanding AI’s presence but also offering more sophisticated, tailored solutions that can solve complex business challenges.

Improved data privacy and security

The importance of data privacy and compliance is something that can’t be overstated, especially as HubSpot continues to expand globally.?

With data privacy regulations becoming stricter in many countries, I predict that INBOUND24 will feature announcements around more localised data storage options.

Currently, HubSpot offers data centres in North America and Germany, but I expect them to introduce new options that will allow users to store data in other regions, such as Australia or France.?

HubSpot has been increasingly moving upmarket, and enterprise-level security demands more granular permissioning, data segregation, and advanced privacy features.?

I believe we’ll see big strides in this area, which will further solidify HubSpot as the go-to platform for businesses with global operations.

HubSpot as a unified data platform

HubSpot’s vision of becoming more than just a CRM or marketing tool has been clear, and it’s something we’ve been watching closely here at Huble.?

Businesses are increasingly looking for a central source of truth for all their data, and HubSpot is positioning itself to meet that demand.

At INBOUND24, I anticipate we’ll see new features that enable HubSpot to truly unify data from multiple sources. The ability to pull data into HubSpot from outside sources and create comprehensive, insightful reports is a game changer.?

If HubSpot continues on this trajectory, it could eventually rival some of the bigger business intelligence tools out there, making it the cornerstone of a company’s data infrastructure.

Commerce Hub and e-commerce expansion

Commerce is another area where I expect to see significant developments. Right now, HubSpot’s Commerce Hub is primarily U.S.-centric, but with the global expansion of e-commerce, I believe HubSpot is going to announce new capabilities aimed at supporting global markets.?

For many businesses, managing transactions, payments, and sales operations seamlessly across borders is critical, and HubSpot is well-positioned to become a leader in this space.

I foresee updates that will make Commerce Hub a more robust tool for businesses operating in multiple countries, possibly including expanded payment processing options, global tax support, and more powerful e-commerce reporting.

Data enrichment thanks to the Clearbit acquisition

One of the acquisitions I’ve been watching closely is HubSpot’s purchase of Clearbit at the end of 2023. Historically, HubSpot has done a fantastic job of deeply integrating acquisitions into its platform, and I expect this to be no different.

At INBOUND24, I predict we’ll see the first fruits of this acquisition—likely new data enrichment features that will help businesses build more complete customer profiles.?

The ability to gather and leverage buyer intent data within HubSpot could be revolutionary for both marketing and sales teams.?

This kind of insight will give businesses the upper hand in understanding customer behaviour and closing deals faster.

Advanced customisation and flexibility

Finally, as HubSpot grows, so does the need for deeper customisation. I’m expecting announcements that will make the platform even more flexible, particularly in areas like APIs, workflow automation, and UI customisation.?

Being able to tailor HubSpot to fit unique business processes has always been one of its strengths, and I believe that HubSpot will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

As we look forward to INBOUND24, I’m excited about the direction HubSpot is heading. AI, data privacy, commerce, and advanced customisation will continue to play central roles in how the platform evolves, and I believe the announcements this year will only accelerate that progress.?

As a partner and advocate of HubSpot, I can’t wait to see how these new features will empower our clients and shape the future of their businesses.?

Stay tuned—INBOUND24 is going to be one for the books.