We’ve been working with this web agency for many years. Now we want to hire a different agency to do a web relaunch, migrating the site to HubSpot CMS.
The new agency would create the design and build the basic structure. Then we’d hand that back to the other agency and continue using them on a retainer for feature requests, bug fixes etc.
We use HubSpot CRM as well, that existing agency also helped set up and manage. They also know our entire ecosystem set-up, dependencies (Landing pages, CRM, GTM, cookie settings), etc.
It feels like having to onboard a new agency to build the new site, keeping all the history and dependencies in mind make things complicated.
(Its not a budget issue, btw. That said, I wonder if it will amount to more than anticipated with onboarding, handover re-onboarding etc)
Will it? Or am I overthinking this? Webdevs, your insights please! Thank you!
You’re right to consider the complexities of using two agencies for your web relaunch. While it’s not inherently a bad idea, it does come with challenges, especially regarding communication, handovers, and maintaining consistency across the project.
Here are some key considerations:
Onboarding & Knowledge Transfer – Your current agency has deep knowledge of your ecosystem (CRM, landing pages, GTM, etc.), which will be critical for a smooth transition. Ensuring that the new agency fully understands this setup might take significant time and effort.
Handover Challenges – After the new agency builds the design and structure, handing it back to the old agency might create gaps in accountability, troubleshooting, and updates. If issues arise, there could be finger-pointing between agencies.
Integration with HubSpot CMS – HubSpot has specific ways of handling templates, modules, and CRM integrations. If the new agency isn’t deeply experienced with HubSpot, they may not structure the site optimally, creating extra work for the existing agency later.
Long-Term Costs – While budget isn’t an issue now, inefficiencies in onboarding, handovers, and potential rework could add up over time. If both agencies aren’t aligned, you might end up paying for fixes or adjustments that could have been avoided.
Possible Alternatives:
Keep One Agency in a Lead Role – Either let the new agency handle everything (including long-term support) or have the existing agency work closely on the relaunch to ensure continuity.
Structured Collaboration – If using both agencies, clearly define roles, set up detailed documentation, and establish a transition plan to minimize back-and-forth inefficiencies.
Trial Period for the New Agency – Before committing fully, test their understanding of your existing setup by having them handle a smaller project or migration task.
If handled well, using two agencies can work, but without a clear structure and defined responsibilities, it can easily become a logistical headache.