| Getting started with Research Hub? Learn tips and timelines for implementing the panel management solution with efficiency and confidence. |
This article applies to User Interviews
On this page:
- Who this article is for
- Implementation timeline overview
- How to implement Hub, step by step
- Ongoing considerations
- Get support
Who this article is for
- 🗣️ UI subscription owners (aka "admins")
- ⭐ Recommended for all teams using Research Hub
- This guide is designed to help you successfully implement Research Hub — our powerful panel management platform for teams that do research at scale.
- In our experience, the teams who see the most success with Research Hub achieve specific implementation milestones within the first 60 days.
- Throughout this process, you'll have access to an Implementation Manager from the User Interviews team, who will offer support, resources, and regular check-ins. Typically, you'll meet every two weeks during the 6-week implementation period.
⭐ Before you start: Be sure to opt into UI's customer feedback panel! Fill out the form to join our feedback panel and shape the future of research recruitment.
Implementation timeline overview
- The implementation process is organized into four stages, each building on the last.
- Timelines are approximate — the process may take a few weeks more or less depending on your team, but the goal is to be up and running within 60 days.
| Stage | Timeline | Focus |
| Hub customization | Weeks 1–3 | Create templates, configure branding defaults, and set communication guardrails to maintain brand consistency and build panel trust. |
| Audience population & management | Weeks 2–5 | Add participants via CSV or opt-in forms. Set up segments, labels, and invite rules for consistent, shared recruitment logistics. |
| Team launch | Weeks 4–6 | Provide product training and enablement for your team so everyone can follow best practices and avoid common pitfalls. |
| Ongoing considerations | Beyond week 6 | Periodically revisit your Hub strategy to improve efficiency and effectiveness as your team and research practice grow. |
How to implement Hub, step by step
- Follow the checklists and resources below at each stage of implementation.
- Click any linked item for in-depth information and FAQs, or watch the video walkthroughs for each phase.
✅ Weeks 1–3: Hub customization
- Upload your team logo
- Create custom email themes
- Create custom email templates
- Create a data consent notice
- Authenticate your email domain (+)
- Create sender profiles (+)
Follow along with each step in the Hub Customization video below, or click on the links above for more in-depth information and FAQs.
Note: Once basic customizations are set up, some teams can jump right into launching and managing recruiting projects, while others will need more time to organize their audience and train their team. Learn more about launching your first study with Research Hub.
✅ Weeks 2–5: Audience population and management
- Upload participants via CSV
- Customize Hub data and columns
- Create filters and/or labels
- Save key segments
- Create opt-in forms
- Create invite rules (+)
- Get setup approval from your admin
Follow along with each step in the Hub Audience Population and Management video below, or click on the links above for more in-depth information and FAQs.
✅ Weeks 4–6: Team launch
- Team training & enablement tips
- How to launch a project
- At this point, you can also start launching and managing projects if you haven't already.
Follow along with each step in the Hub Team Launch video below, or click on the links above for more in-depth information and FAQs.
Ongoing considerations
- After implementation, periodically revisit your Hub strategy to improve your panel's maturity over time.
- User Interviews uses the Research Hub Maturity Pyramid as a framework for understanding and improving your approach to panel management.
- Most teams start at one of the lower levels of the pyramid and work their way up as their research practice grows.
Ask yourself these questions to identify opportunities for improvement:
- How much time are you spending on recruitment, and which aspects could be streamlined?
- How often do you want to hear from similar groups of participants?
- How often are you re-contacting groups of participants for follow-up studies?
- Does your database consist of multiple distinct audiences (e.g., users of different products or varying experience levels)?
- How many disparate data sources do you use to house user data?
- What percentage of your database consists of unengaged participants or outdated user data?
- How much time are research leads or admins spending on guidance and oversight?
- Do all researchers on your team need the same levels of access?
As you answer these questions, look for opportunities to take advantage of features like opt-in forms, segments and filters, invite rules, and roles and permissions.
Get support
- It's natural to have questions when learning a new product — we're here to help.
- Contact your CSM directly for personalized guidance.
- Fill out our support request form for additional assistance.