Automatic completion of the http:// protocol for the Website URL property

Smart CRM & Sales Hub CRM
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Hi everyone,

For companies, HubSpot automatically adds http:// to the “Website URL” property when saving if I only enter www.example.com. Since most companies were imported into our CRM, the previous format lacked the protocol, e.g., www.example.com.
However, if there are changes to the Website URL and we want to save, HubSpot initially automatically adds http://.

I’m wondering:

  • Why is http:// added by default instead of https://?
  • Can this be changed, so that https:// is automatically prefixed instead of http://?

I’d like to maintain this field correctly and consistently, so I want to correct existing companies that have, for example, www.example.com listed for Website URL. Is there a risk if I correct existing Website URL values to https:// via export and reimport?
I’d rather not inadvertently affect matching, deduplication, or existing company associations.

And also, in this context:

  • How exactly does the “Website URL” property relate to “Company domain name”?

Based on my understanding so far, filling in the Website URL also populates the Company domain name.
But does this only apply to the initial case when one of the fields is empty, or also for later changes?

Specifically:
If the Website URL of an existing company changes and I update the “Website URL” field, will the “Company domain name” be automatically updated as well?

And vice versa:
If I change the “Company domain name”, does HubSpot also automatically update the “Website URL”?

Or is there no bidirectional or ongoing synchronization, but only a one-time population in certain cases?

Does anyone have best practices or personal experience with this?

Thanks a lot for your help

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Hi @danhighmountain,

Why http:// is set instead of https:// is not officially documented by HubSpot. This simply seems to be the behavior that HubSpot decided on at an earlier point in time. It might be because there are still pages that do not support https://. Typically, http:// is automatically redirected to https://.

Can this be changed, so that https:// is automatically prefixed instead of http://?

I am not aware of any options to change this. The default behavior is set this way and cannot be edited.

Is there a risk if I correct existing website URL values to https:// via export and reimport?

This is unfortunately also not documented. Here, I would recommend testing with a small number (e.g., 5) of companies. You would have to perform the reimport using the Record ID in every case, otherwise new companies might simply be created. As long as the root domain part does not change, I would assume that nothing unexpected happens – but as I said: test it.

How exactly is the “Website URL” property related to “Company domain name”?

This is answered excellently here :slight_smile: Company Doman Name vs. Website URL - #2 by jnix284

Best regards,

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Thank you!