QA Process and Framework for HubSpot CMS Migrations

Introduction

Launching a website on HubSpot CMS after a migration is one of the most sensitive points in a digital project. Beyond just "pushing pages live," the process involves validating design fidelity, ensuring accessibility (508/WCAG compliance), confirming SEO continuity, and testing performance across devices and browsers. A structured Quality Assurance (QA) process is therefore critical not only for minimizing launch-day issues but also for protecting long-term traffic, conversions, and client confidence.

This lab outlines a comprehensive QA framework that can be applied to HubSpot CMS websites before go-live, especially in migration scenarios. It integrates accessibility testing, SEO validation, technical verification, and deployment-readiness into a step-by-step system that balances automation and manual review.

Why QA is Critical for HubSpot CMS Sites

Unlike static sites or even traditional WordPress builds, HubSpot CMS introduces unique variables that can affect migration success:

• Module-driven structure: Pages are assembled from HubSpot modules and templates, making QA checks for consistency essential.
• Dynamic content & HubDB: QA must cover database-driven pages, personalized content, and smart rules.
• Integrations & tracking codes: CRM, analytics, and marketing automation are tightly connected; one missed tag can impact lead tracking or reporting.
• SEO dependencies: Migrations often involve hundreds of redirects. A missed redirect or misaligned canonical tag can significantly damage organic visibility.

In short: a QA process for HubSpot CMS migrations must be multi-disciplinary, spanning design, accessibility, SEO, technical functionality, and marketing analytics.

Phase 1: Preparation

1. Establish a QA Tracking System

• Use a shared QA tracking sheet (Google Sheets, Airtable, or HubSpot project tool).
• Include fields for:
  • Page URL
  • Status (Not Tested, In Progress, QA Issues, Passed, Finalized)
  • QA Categories (Design, Accessibility, SEO, Performance, Integration)
  • Notes / Issues
  • Approval Column

This sheet becomes the single source of truth for QA progress.

2. Define the Scope

• Total number of pages/modules (e.g., 39 in-progress pages).
• Prioritize mission-critical pages (home, product/services, lead-gen landing pages, blog index).
• Identify integration-critical components (forms, HubDB-driven content, gated assets).

3. Assemble Inputs

• Design source of truth: Figma/Sketch for visual alignment.
• SEO checklist: Metadata, URL mapping, sitemap, robots.txt.
• Accessibility standards: WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines + 508 compliance requirements.
• Redirect map: CSV with old → new URLs.

Phase 2: Visual & Functional QA

Key Checks

• Layout Fidelity: Compare dev pages against Figma. Validate spacing, fonts, margins, and brand styling.
• Responsiveness: Test at multiple breakpoints (mobile portrait, mobile landscape, tablet, desktop).
• Navigation: Validate menus, dropdowns, breadcrumbs, and footer links.
• Interactive Elements: Ensure hover states, modals, accordions, tabs, and CTAs work consistently.
• Forms & CTAs: Submit forms and confirm:
  • Thank-you pages trigger correctly
  • CRM/HubSpot contact properties update
  • Email notifications send correctly

Browser & Device Coverage

• Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge (latest versions).
• iOS Safari, Android Chrome.
• Optional: legacy Internet Explorer support (if contractually required).

Phase 3: Accessibility (508/WCAG)

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility is not just a compliance checkbox --- it improves usability for all users and directly supports SEO. HubSpot templates often claim partial accessibility compliance, but QA must validate implementation.

Automated Testing Tools

• Lighthouse (Chrome DevTools): Initial accessibility scoring.
• Axe DevTools or WAVE: More detailed scans for contrast errors, ARIA roles, alt text.
• Pa11y CI: For automated testing in staging environments.

Manual Checks

• Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements must be reachable via Tab.
• Alt Text: Descriptive alt attributes for all images.
• Color Contrast: Validate WCAG AA ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text).
• Screen Reader Simulation: Quick test with NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac).

Accessibility Scorecard

Document:

• Baseline scores (pre-fix).
• Post-fix scores.
• Remaining issues categorized as Critical, Moderate, Minor.

Phase 4: SEO Validation

Metadata & Structure

• Title & Description: Confirm unique, descriptive titles/meta for each page.
• Headings (H1--H3): Validate logical hierarchy; only one H1 per page.
• Canonical Tags: Prevent duplicate content issues.
• Open Graph & Twitter Cards: Ensure proper sharing snippets.

URL Mapping & Redirects

• Cross-reference URL Mapping CSV against staging site.
• Test redirects manually and via tools (Screaming Frog, Sitebulb).
• Validate canonicalization matches final URLs.

Sitemaps & Indexing

• Generate XML sitemap.
• Confirm robots.txt allows correct crawling.
• Prepare for Google Console setup post-launch.

Structured Data

• Validate schema (JSON-LD for articles, products, breadcrumbs).
• Test using Google's Rich Results Test.

Phase 5: Performance & Mobile QA

Core Metrics

• Page Load Time: Target <3s on 4G.
• Lighthouse Performance Score: >80 across key pages.
• Core Web Vitals:
  • LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) <2.5s
  • FID (First Input Delay) <100ms
  • CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) <0.1

Optimizations

• Compress and serve modern image formats (WebP/AVIF).
• Use HubSpot's built-in CDN for caching.
• Enable lazy loading.
• Audit third-party scripts for performance impact.

Phase 6: Integrations & Analytics

• HubSpot Forms: Validate CRM field mappings.
• Tracking Codes: Confirm Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, LinkedIn Pixel, Facebook Pixel.
• Event Tracking: Ensure key CTAs fire analytics events.
• HubDB & Dynamic Content: Confirm rules, filters, and conditional logic.

Phase 7: Deployment Readiness

• Final Deployment handled by dev team (e.g., José).
• Redirects: Apply bulk 301 redirects from mapping CSV.
• Google Console Setup: Add domain, verify ownership, upload sitemap.
• HubSpot Access: Ensure all admins can log in and monitor.
• Monitoring: Prepare uptime monitoring + error logging.

Phase 8: Post-Launch Monitoring

Immediate (Day 1--3)

• Monitor console errors and HubSpot analytics.
• Validate redirects via server logs.
• Confirm indexing in Google Console.

Short-Term (Week 1--2)

• Review organic traffic patterns in GA.
• Confirm form submissions and lead flow.
• Check accessibility compliance again on live site.

Long-Term (Month 1--3)

• Run ongoing performance scans.
• Monitor Core Web Vitals in Google Console.
• Document lessons learned for future migrations.

Framework Summary

The QA process for HubSpot CMS migrations is not just about finding bugs --- it's a holistic framework that protects brand credibility, accessibility compliance, and SEO equity. The key is structuring QA into phases: preparation, functional testing, accessibility, SEO validation, performance, integrations, deployment, and post-launch monitoring.

When done well, this framework reduces launch-day stress, prevents costly SEO regressions, ensures compliance, and creates a repeatable playbook for future projects.

Conclusion

A well-structured QA process is the difference between a smooth, successful launch and a post-launch firefight. By aligning development, accessibility, SEO, and analytics checks into a unified QA framework, teams can confidently deliver HubSpot CMS websites that are accessible, performant, search-friendly, and client-ready.

This document serves as an anchor guide for future HubSpot CMS projects at StrongStart and can be adapted to other CMS platforms with minor adjustments.