When you are in the middle of a site redesign or syncing work across HubSpot environments, exporting design files is essential to protecting your CMS foundation.
If you have ever searched for lost template changes or recovered a broken layout, you already understand the risk involved.
HubSpot CMS supports content-heavy websites, but it does not provide built-in version control or downloadable backups by default. That is why knowing how to export design assets from the HubSpot Design Manager can prevent rework and reduce recovery time when issues appear.
This guide explains what HubSpot exports include, how the file structure works, how to export assets step by step, and the common issues teams encounter.
You will also learn how to validate changes using HubSpot analytics and how INSIDEA supports teams that manage CMS data across portals.
What You Can Export From the HubSpot Design Manager
The Design Manager controls the structure and code that define your website’s layout and presentation.
You can access it by navigating to:
Marketing > Files and Templates > Design Tools
In the Design Manager, you manage themes, templates, and modules using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and HubL, HubSpot’s markup language.
When exporting from the Design Manager, you create a downloadable version of your design assets. This includes themes, templates, and front-end module files.
Export Scope:
Design exports include layout files and code structure only. They do not include blog posts, CRM data, HubDB tables, or smart content tied to contacts.
HubSpot stores design assets in a folder-based hierarchy that mirrors your site’s organization. Exporting allows you to store these assets outside HubSpot for backup, migration, or external version tracking.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
Behind the interface, HubSpot stores your website code in a cloud-based file system.
When you export assets, HubSpot packages the selected files and their dependencies into a ZIP file, preserving the folder hierarchy.
Export Process Breakdown
- Access the Design Manager
- Right-click the theme or folder
- Select Download
- HubSpot generates a ZIP file
- Folder structure is preserved
The ZIP file includes templates, custom modules, CSS files, JSON configuration files, and any related theme assets.
What Is Not Included:
Images stored in the File Manager are referenced by URL and are not downloaded automatically. CMS content, such as blog posts or CRM-based logic, is also excluded.
For teams using Git or other external repositories, these exports create a version history outside the CMS. This becomes valuable when restoring layouts or reviewing past changes.
Top Use Cases for Exporting From Design Manager
Theme and Template Backup Before Major Changes
Exporting themes before large updates allows teams to restore previous versions if layouts break or performance drops.
Example:
Before updating a homepage layout, a developer exports the theme folder. If global styles conflict with the new header, the backup can be re-imported to restore the original setup.
Reusing Modules Across HubSpot Portals
Teams managing multiple HubSpot portals often reuse custom modules.
Example:
A pricing module built for a primary site is exported and imported into another portal, avoiding the need to rebuild layout logic and styles.
External Version Control and Audit Logs
Development teams often rely on Git to track changes.
Example:
A CMS manager exports blog templates monthly and commits updates to a repository. If a layout change removes a CTA section, reverting to a previous version resolves the issue quickly.
Where Most Teams Get Things Wrong
Point: Thinking exports include blog content or CRM data
Explanation:
Design Manager exports only include structural files. Blog content must be exported separately through Website > Blog > Export.
Point: Folder renaming that breaks imports
Explanation:
Changing folder names after exporting can cause broken references during import. Folder structures should remain unchanged.
Point: Overlooking remote file references
Explanation:
Custom modules may reference scripts or styles stored in the File Manager. These URLs remain unchanged after export and should be reviewed when hosting files elsewhere.
Point: Export timeouts on large themes
Explanation:
Themes with deep nesting or heavy assets may cause export delays. Splitting exports into smaller folders reduces this risk.
Step-by-Step: How to Export Design Files From HubSpot
Before starting, confirm you have developer access or super admin permissions, and that you have located the correct folder in Design Manager.
To Export Web Files
- Sign in and navigate to Marketing > Files and Templates > Design Tools
- In the sidebar, locate the theme, template, or module folder
- Right-click the folder or open the options menu
- Click Download
- Wait for HubSpot to generate the ZIP file
- Save the ZIP file locally
- Extract the files and confirm all assets are present
- Store the files in a secure location such as a Git repository or shared drive
To export a single file, repeat the same process and select the file instead of the folder.
Exports can also be automated using HubSpot APIs or scheduled workflows for sites that change frequently.
To Re-Import Files Into Another Portal
- Open the destination portal’s Design Manager
- Select Import from the File menu
- Upload the exported ZIP file
- Confirm folder paths and destinations
- Publish templates or modules as required
Modules should be tested on staging or test pages before being used on live pages.
Measuring the Impact After Export and Import
Exporting files does not directly affect analytics, but post-import checks help confirm nothing broke during deployment.
Metrics to Review:
- Website Performance Dashboard: Monitor page load times and layout consistency
- Error Tracking Logs: Check for missing assets or broken modules
- User Activity Logs: Confirm export and import actions with timestamps
- Internal Version Tracking: Maintain notes or commit logs tied to each deployment
Tracking these details simplifies troubleshooting and prevents repeated mistakes.
In Action: A Real-World Example
A team prepares for a redesign of the pricing page.
Before making changes, the developer exports the active theme, which includes the pricing layout and global styles.
After refining HTML and CSS, the updated version is imported and published.
During post-launch checks, the team monitors page performance and error logs. When a mobile styling issue appears, the previous ZIP file is re-imported to restore the working layout.
The issue is resolved without data loss or downtime.
How INSIDEA Supports HubSpot Design Exports
Managing exports across portals, migrations, and redesigns can become difficult as environments grow.
INSIDEA supports teams by structuring HubSpot CMS setups that allow safe exports, clean imports, and consistent file organization.
Our HubSpot Consulting Services Include:
- HubSpot Onboarding: CMS and file structure setup
- CMS Customization: Clean, reusable themes and modules
- Export Management: Backup and version tracking processes
- HubSpot Management: Ongoing CMS, CRM, and system oversight
- Reporting Setup: Linking design changes to performance metrics
Many teams hire HubSpot experts at INSIDEA to manage design exports without risking broken layouts or inconsistent deployments.
Keep HubSpot design exports clean and up to date. Back up your design assets before changes so recovery is always a controlled process, not a scramble.
