Ep 42 - App Certification with the Ecosystem Quality Team | Developers:After Dark

Ep 42 - App Certification with the Ecosystem Quality Team | Developers:After Dark

What does HubSpot app certification actually take? Jana sits down with HubSpot’s ecosystem quality team to break down the app certification process, what makes a certified app, and how to succeed in the HubSpot marketplace. In this episode of Developers After Dark, Jana is joined by Marina Lupin and Brittany, two senior technical program managers who live and breathe HubSpot app certification. Together, they unpack what certification really means beyond just a badge—why it’s a signal of trust, how it impacts partner growth, and what developers should expect when applying. You’ll get an inside look at how the app certification process works from submission to review, including why apps fail, how requirements like 60 active installs and 95% API success rates came to be, and what changed with the new two-year recertification cycle. The team also shares practical advice for HubSpot developers on how to prepare, what mistakes to avoid, and how to use the certified app badge to stand out in the HubSpot marketplace. If you’re building apps for HubSpot or thinking about applying for HubSpot app certification, this episode gives you the clarity (and honesty) you need. Timestamps 00:00 Intro & Women’s History Month kickoff 01:49 Meet Jana, Marina, and Brittany 04:00 What HubSpot app certification really means 06:36 Balancing quality vs supporting partners 14:00 Why the install requirement changed (6 → 60) 24:00 The new two-year recertification cycle 30:57 What happens after you submit your app 35:48 Common reasons apps fail certification 43:00 What reviewers actually look for 54:00 Pre-flight checklist before applying 59:00 How to use your certified app badge 01:02:44 Wrap-up and final thoughts Resources & Links * HubSpot App Certification Requirements: https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/certification-requirements [https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/certification-requirements?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * How to Apply for Certification: https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/applying-for-app-certification [https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/applying-for-app-certification?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * HubSpot Academy Certification Course: https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/getting-your-app-certified-on-the-marketplace [https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/getting-your-app-certified-on-the-marketplace?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * HubSpot Developers YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotMarketplace #AppCertification #DeveloperPodcast #WomenInTech We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.com Want to be a guest? Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r [https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r]

Ep 41 - The Legend of hapily with Dax Miller | Developers:After Dark

The HubSpot App Marketplace rewards builders who don’t guess—so how do you find real demand fast? In this episode, Dax Miller breaks down how to validate pain, ship confidently, and build native experiences with UI Extensions, App Events, and Custom Objects.Dax Miller (Co-founder & Chief Care Officer at hapily) shares the evolution from “gap-filling apps” to going all-in on event tech—because in-person connection is back, and event lead capture needs to be instant, accurate, and CRM-native. We talk about watching users click the “wrong” things (the best kind of feedback), why “launch ready” is basically a myth, and how App Events turn product activity—like check-ins—into workflow triggers, reporting, and timeline visibility inside HubSpot.Chapters00:00 – Intro + where to watch the show 02:03 – What hapily is (native event management) 06:28 – From app studio to focusing on events 17:34 – Don’t build in a vacuum: observe users 20:07 – Validate demand (forums, complaints, willingness to pay) 21:35 – “Launch ready” vs shipping early 34:32 – UI Extensions and building truly native 38:30 – Underused power: App Events + Custom Objects 55:22 – Mentorship: stop, reflect, be intentional 56:46 – Wrap-up + where to find Dax--------------------Links / resourceshapily (event tools + lead capture): https://hapily.com/hapily HubSpot Marketplace listing :https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/listing/event-hapily-event-management-for-hubspot-3974203hapily HubSpot partner case study:https://www.hubspot.com/technology-partner-case-studies/hapily#HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotAppMarketplace #eventtech #uidevelopment #crm We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest? Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training

Ep. 40 - Content Creation with Marc D. Hans | Developers:After Dark

AI is everywhere—so how do you keep human-centered content creation human?Marc Hans breaks down AI-assisted workflows, content distribution, and the kind of transparency & authenticity with AI that builds real trust.In this episode of Developers After Dark, Marc (Sr. Content Creator at Tango, former educator, and perpetual project-starter) shares how design thinking for developers starts with the human: finding the real pain, desire, and context before chasing the algorithm. He also gets tactical on modern discoverability: titles, thumbnails, descriptions, and why even followers might never see your content unless you package it for search and attention. Along the way, we dig into when to label AI use, how to use AI as “polish” without letting it write your voice, and how creators (and developers!) can stay grounded when tools make scope creep infinite.Chapters00:00 — Marc’s “kaleidoscopic” journey03:25 — Start with the human (design thinking)08:00 — Transparency & authenticity with AI14:00 — Prompting per channel + search strategy16:45 — Content distribution & “algorithm arena”20:12 — Educator advantage + backward design33:49 — Donuts, kindness, and connection36:00 — DropKit project + learning from failure47:18 — Mindset: spirals, evidence, self-talk54:45 — Where to find Marc + wrapResourcesMarc Hans at Tango Tango (product + guides) Marc’s links (Linktree) #HubSpot #DevelopersAfterDark #DevRel #AI #ContentCreationWe aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest? Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r

Ep 38 - Center of Developer Excellence with Zack Wolfson | Developers:After Dark

Check out the Center of Developer Excellence 👉 https://hsdev.fyi/dad-codeTired of feeling like the new kid on the block when building on HubSpot? We're sitting down with 13-year HubSpot veteran Zach Wolfson to demystify the HubSpot developer onboarding process and explore the Center of Developer Excellence (CoDE), a resource built to save you time and prevent tech debt.In this episode, we cover the real-world HubSpot API best practices that aren't always in the documentation. Learn how to think about sync logic, API architecture, and scaling your integrations from day one. Whether you're a solo dev at a startup or part of a large agency, these patterns will help you build better, faster.[ Timestamps ]00:00:30 - The Pain of Being a New Developer00:04:37 - What is the Center of Developer Excellence (CoDE)?00:07:26 - Keeping CoDE Evergreen & The Challenge of Maintenance00:09:54 - It's Not Just the 'How,' It's the 'Why'00:15:22 - Is CoDE for Lone Developers or Enterprise Teams?00:18:00 - How AI and the Gemini CLI Interact with CoDE00:25:29 - The Core of the CRM: Objects, Properties, Associations00:28:00 - Shaving Time Off Your Development Cycle00:34:13 - The Most Important First Step for a New HubSpot Developer00:44:22 - The 'Eggs as a Service' Analogy for API Syncs00:50:08 - Mentorship: Embrace the Change, Separate Your Identity00:53:16 - The Future of the Center of Developer Excellence#HubSpot #Developer #API #Integration #SaaSWe aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Developers: After Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest?Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training

Ep 39 - Intro to Introw with Simon Van Den Hende | Developers:After Dark

Say goodbye to data silos and hello to seamless partner management! In this episode, we sit down with Simon Van den Hende, co-founder of Introw, to discuss how they built a powerhouse Partner Relationship Management (PRM) solution directly on top of HubSpot.We dive deep into the technical details of HubSpot UI extensions, the business strategy behind their explosive 5X growth, and how they are leveraging HubSpot's AI tools to build a more intelligent and integrated partner experience. If you're a HubSpot developer or interested in partner-led growth, this is an episode you won't want to miss. [Timestamps] 0:00 - Cold Open 1:32 - Who is Simon and What is Introw? 3:04 - Who can benefit from Introw? 5:10 - The Power of a CRM Native Approach 6:47 - How Traditional PRMs Create Data Silos 8:26 - Developing with HubSpot UI Extensions 14:09 - Fueling 5X Growth with HubSpot's Automation 16:07 - The Magic of Off-Portal Collaboration 19:16 - How the HubSpot Marketplace Drives Growth 23:35 - Leveraging HubSpot's AI for a Better Partner Experience 32:24 - Mentorship, Process, and Work-Life Balance 38:50 - Where to Find Simon and Introw 44:43 - Like and Subscribe! #HubSpot #HubSpotDevelopment #PartnerLedGrowth #SaaS #CRM Find Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvdhende/ Learn more about Intro: https://hsdev.fyi/introw We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Developers: After Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest? Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training