How to Customize Hubspot CRM with the New Record Sidebar

The latest Hubspot CRM customization update lets your teams design record layouts that match how they actually work, without needing admins to rebuild the entire system every time a process changes.

This how-to guide walks you through using the new right sidebar, customizable cards, and layouts so every sales, service, or ops user sees exactly the information they need, when they need it.

What Changed in Hubspot CRM Customization

The new CRM customization release focuses on the right-hand sidebar of records. Instead of a rigid, one-size-fits-all layout, you can now create flexible sidebars that adapt to each team, pipeline, and record type.

On the source announcement page, the product team explains that this change is based on extensive customer feedback from companies that needed more control over what appears on contact, company, deal, and ticket records.

Key Benefits of the New Hubspot CRM Sidebar

• Show only the most relevant data on each record.
• Reduce scrolling by grouping related information into cards.
• Tailor views for different teams and user groups.
• Standardize processes across sales, service, and operations.
• Improve onboarding by making records easier to understand.

Understanding the New Hubspot Record Sidebar

The record view still includes the familiar middle column with the activity timeline and the left column with key fields. The change is in the right sidebar, where you can now design and arrange information using modular cards.

Each card represents a focused set of related data. Instead of cluttering the record with everything at once, you can give users quick access to the tools they use most, such as related records, playbooks, or internal notes.

Types of Cards Available in Hubspot Records

Based on the source article, the new right sidebar supports a variety of cards, including:

• Related records (e.g., contacts on a company record or deals on a contact record).
• Associated activities and tasks.
• Custom cards designed for specific processes.
• Integrations and apps that surface data within the record.

This card-based design is what makes the new customization experience powerful and flexible.

How to Access the New Hubspot Customization Experience

Your access to the new sidebar customization depends on your subscription and early access status. According to the official announcement, the feature is rolling out to customers with appropriate permissions.

To see if you have access, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Hubspot account.
2. Navigate to Settings from the main navigation bar.
3. Open Objects, then choose Contacts, Companies, Deals, or Tickets.
4. Look for a Record customization or Layouts option related to the right sidebar.

If you do not see the options described in the announcement, the feature may still be rolling out. You can monitor updates on the original post at Hubspot’s CRM customization feature blog.

Step-by-Step: Designing a Custom Sidebar in Hubspot

Once you have access to the new feature, you can create or edit a layout that controls how the right sidebar appears for specific users or teams.

Step 1: Choose the Object You Want to Customize

First, decide which record type you want to tailor. Many teams start with deals or tickets, because these often carry the most complex processes.

1. In your Hubspot settings, go to Objects.
2. Select the object: Contacts, Companies, Deals, or Tickets.
3. Open the Record customization or similar section for that object.

This will bring you into the editor where you can adjust the right sidebar layout and cards.

Step 2: Create or Edit a Layout for the Right Sidebar

The CRM announcement page describes how layouts can be assigned to different teams or pipelines, which lets you conditionally control what appears on the right side of records.

1. In the layout editor, locate the panel that represents the right sidebar.
2. Either edit the default layout or create a new one if you want a layout specific to a pipeline, team, or record type.
3. Give the layout a clear name that indicates who it is for, such as “Sales Enterprise Deals Sidebar” or “Support Priority Tickets Sidebar.”

Naming conventions matter when scaling Hubspot across multiple teams, so make them descriptive and consistent.

Step 3: Add and Arrange Cards in the Hubspot Sidebar

The core of the new customization experience is the ability to choose which cards appear in the right-hand column and where they sit in relation to one another.

1. From the library of available cards, select the ones your users need most.
2. Drag and drop cards into the right sidebar area of the layout editor.
3. Reorder the cards so that the highest-value information appears at the top.
4. Remove any cards that do not support the process for that specific layout.

Examples of useful cards include associated deals on a company record, key contacts on a deal, or critical integrations that surface external data.

Step 4: Assign the Hubspot Layout to Teams or Pipelines

One of the most important capabilities described in the announcement is the ability to map layouts to teams and pipelines. This is how you deliver tailored experiences at scale.

1. In the layout configuration, find the section for Assignments or Apply to.
2. Choose whether the layout should apply to all records, specific pipelines, or specific teams.
3. Assign the layout so that users in those scopes automatically see the custom sidebar when they open a record.

This ensures that different groups can share the same Hubspot CRM instance while still getting role-specific views.

Best Practices for Scaling Hubspot Customization

When using the new right sidebar tools, it is easy to over-customize. Use a structured approach so your CRM remains usable and maintainable over time.

Plan Your Hubspot Record Strategy

• Document the purpose of each object: contact, company, deal, and ticket.
• Define what each team needs to see on those records to do their job.
• Group requirements into logical sets that align to cards.

Having a strategy prevents duplication and keeps layouts aligned with business goals.

Standardize Core Cards Across Hubspot Teams

While each team may need its own nuances, aim to standardize a core set of cards across your organization.

• Use a consistent set of core cards that every record should include.
• Only add specialized cards when they support a clear process.
• Review layouts regularly as your business evolves.

This balances flexibility with consistency, which is essential when multiple departments share the same database.

Collaborate with RevOps and Admins

The announcement emphasizes that business operations teams can now enable other teams to make changes safely. Collaborative governance is key.

• Give teams a say in what their record layouts look like.
• Centralize ownership of naming conventions and layout standards.
• Create a simple request process for new cards or layout changes.

If you work with a RevOps or CRM consultancy, they can help design a scalable framework for your layouts. For example, partners like Consultevo specialize in building structured CRM architectures that use these features effectively.

Real-World Use Cases for the New Hubspot Sidebar

The CRM customization feature opens up a range of practical use cases. The source page highlights how customers wanted record views that match each step of their workflows.

Sales Teams

• Show active deals, key decision-makers, and recent activities in one view.
• Bring in apps that show product usage, proposals, or contract status.
• Highlight properties needed for qualification and forecasting.

Service and Support Teams

• Surface related tickets and previous interactions directly on the ticket record.
• Display knowledge base articles or playbooks as cards.
• Include integration cards that show entitlement or subscription status.

Operations and RevOps Teams

• Standardize layouts across regions while allowing local tweaks.
• Ensure compliance fields and data quality checks are always visible.
• Use layouts to guide users through critical processes, such as onboarding or renewals.

Next Steps: Make the Most of New Hubspot Features

The new right sidebar capabilities represent a major evolution of the CRM, giving admins and teams more control over how records look and function. To get started, review the full details and examples on the original Hubspot CRM customization announcement.

Then, build a simple roadmap: prioritize one object, design a layout, pilot it with a small team, and iterate based on feedback. With a thoughtful approach, you can turn your Hubspot records into a clear, guided workspace tailored to every role in your organization.

Need Help With Hubspot?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Hubspot , work with ConsultEvo, a team who has a decade of Hubspot experience.

Scale Hubspot

“`