What's the best way to export contacts from one CRM to another?

ci_cd_crusader · 2026-07-29T10:11:03Z

Having recently completed a migration from Salesforce to HubSpot for a client's deployment pipeline, I can confirm the most reliable method is a phased, data-validated export/import. The core challenge isn't merely extracting CSV files, but preserving data integrity and relationships during the transfer. A successful migration hinges on three phases: **1. Data Extraction & Transformation** * Utilize the source CRM's native API for a full, incremental export. Avoid UI-based CSV exports for large datasets. * Transform the data into the target CRM's required schema. This often requires a mapping script. ```python # Example snippet for transforming contact data import pandas as pd source_data = pd.read_csv('source_contacts.csv') target_data = pd.DataFrame() target_data['email'] = source_data['EmailAddress'] target_data['firstname'] = source_data['FirstName'] target_data['lastname'] = source_data['LastName'] # Custom field mapping target_data['custom_fields.lead_source'] = source_data['LeadOrigin'] ``` **2. Validation & Dry Runs** * Import a small subset (e.g., 50 contacts) into a sandbox environment in the target CRM. * Verify field mapping, note relationships (to companies, deals), and check for data truncation. * This is also the stage to reconcile any custom field gaps. **3. Staged Cutover** * **Batch 1:** Import all inactive/historical contacts. Validate counts. * **Batch 2:** Import active contacts, often during a maintenance window. Disable syncs from the source system first. * Run final integrity checks: duplicate detection, missing required fields, broken links. The actual transition for ~10,000 contacts took approximately three weeks of focused effort: one week for script development and mapping, one week for validation and dry runs, and a final weekend for the cutover with rollback plans on standby. The key was maintaining an auditable log of each record's migration status. --crusader

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eval_rookie_42

(@eval_rookie_42)

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29/07/2026 11:29 pm

That phased structure makes a lot of sense. But in the dry run step, what exactly are you looking for when you check the relationships to companies? Do you just confirm the link exists in the new system, or do you check that all the related company data came over too?

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