Workflows are great until you hit a wall. Maybe you need to integrate a third-party tool, calculate custom quotes, or pull in real-time data. Suddenly, your streamlined process feels more like a roadblock. That’s where HubSpot’s custom code blocks in Operations Hub come in.

Custom code blocks let you go beyond the basics of “if this, then that” workflows. They give you the flexibility to script your own logic, connect external systems, and create dynamic automations that adapt to your business needs. Let’s explore how this feature can help you build smarter workflows, save time, and deliver better results.

 

Why Standard Workflows Aren’t Always Enough

HubSpot’s workflows are powerful, but they have their limits. For example, you might want to calculate shipping costs based on a customer’s location, fetch live currency exchange rates for international pricing, or integrate data from a third-party tool that doesn’t have a native HubSpot connection.

Without custom code, these tasks can feel impossible—or at least frustratingly manual. Custom code blocks solve this by letting you add JavaScript directly into your workflows, so you can handle complex logic, fetch external data, and automate tasks that would otherwise require workarounds.

What Are Custom Code Blocks?

Custom code blocks are part of HubSpot’s Operations Hub. They allow you to write and execute JavaScript within your workflows, giving you the ability to fetch data from external APIs, perform calculations or conditional logic, and update records across multiple systems.

Think of them as a way to extend HubSpot’s capabilities, making your workflows smarter and more adaptable.

How Custom Code Blocks Work

If you’re not a developer, the idea of writing code might sound intimidating. But custom code blocks are designed to be approachable, even for beginners.

You can write JavaScript to define the logic or actions you want to perform, connect to APIs to fetch data from external systems like shipping providers or currency converters, and test and deploy your code within the HubSpot interface to ensure it works as expected.

If you’re not comfortable writing code yourself, you can collaborate with a developer to create the scripts you need.

Real-World Use Cases

Custom code blocks are incredibly versatile. You can use them to fetch live shipping rates from a logistics provider’s API and include them in quotes or invoices, pull up-to-date exchange rates to ensure accurate pricing for international customers, integrate with third-party tools to automatically enrich your CRM records with additional customer data, or use advanced logic to calculate lead scores based on multiple data points.

By connecting your workflows to external systems, you can create automations that are tailored to your business needs.

Why Custom Code Blocks Matter

Custom code blocks aren’t just about adding complexity—they’re about solving real problems and making your workflows more efficient. They save time by automating tasks that would otherwise require manual effort or workarounds, improve accuracy by using real-time data to ensure your workflows are always up to date, and enhance flexibility by adapting your workflows to handle unique business requirements.

Whether you’re integrating with external tools, performing calculations, or creating custom logic, custom code blocks give you the tools to build workflows that work for you.

Getting Started

To get started, access Operations Hub and make sure you have the right subscription level to use custom code blocks. Define the problem you’re trying to solve or the process you want to automate, write your JavaScript code, test your workflow to ensure everything works as expected, and monitor and optimise your workflows over time.

Final Thoughts

HubSpot’s custom code blocks are a powerful tool for businesses looking to take their automations to the next level. By adding flexibility and intelligence to your workflows, you can save time, reduce errors, and create a more seamless experience for your team and your customers.

Whether you’re integrating with external systems, performing advanced calculations, or automating complex processes, custom code blocks give you the freedom to build workflows that truly work for your business.