Top 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Salesforce Consulting Partner

Salesforce is one of the best CRM platforms in the world, chosen by businesses all over the globe. Salesforce helps develop high-quality needs, gives you information about your customers, predicts what they want, and helps you automate your marketing plans.

When implemented correctly, Salesforce can give your business an extremely high ROI. Studies show that for every dollar spent on CRM tools, you can expect $5.60 back, and that number gets even higher when you have a qualified consultant to help you implement and maintain your system. Additionally, Salesforce improves customer satisfaction and retention, leading to increased customer loyalty and higher revenue. 

Customer satisfaction rose by 35% after companies switched to Salesforce.

Like any new technology, there is a learning curve. The best way to increase your ROI and have a successful project is to hire a qualified Salesforce consulting partner. This guide will walk you through the value of a consulting partner, as well as how to choose a salesforce consulting partner to help grow your business. 

The Value of A Salesforce Consulting Partner

The maximum value from using Salesforce is the mass customization of the platform you can do in order to meet your company’s needs and goals. Customizing can be difficult though. Going with Salesforce consulting agencies that know the ins and outs of Salesforce can help you reach your goals quicker and for less money, despite the initial consultation investment. 

Salesforce consulting companies devote all of their resources and energy toward making Salesforce work for their clients. The best Salesforce consulting agencies are certified and know the current best practices to make the most out of your implementation project. 

Hiring a consultant gives you incredible advantages and is invaluable when it comes to being a resource for unexpected issues or problems. Going with Salesforce consulting partners empowers you to do what you do best, run your business without worrying about the ins and outs of fixing Salesforce platform issues. 

The most common reason that businesses hire Salesforce consulting agencies is for implementation. It’s wise to know exactly what goes into Salesforce implementation so you can know what you need for your business. This helps you to be able to hire the best Salesforce consulting partner for your unique business needs. 

A good Salesforce consultant partner should be invested in your success and be willing to go the extra mile to help you achieve your goals. They should be proactive in finding solutions to problems and be willing to work with you to find the best possible solution for your business.

Salesforce Implementation

Salesforce implementation is a multi-stage process of the Salesforce platform for deployment and adoption within the organization. Implementation goes far beyond just the technical issues surrounding the platform. 

86% of Salesforce customers use partner apps and partner solutions. (Salesforce)

Effective Salesforce implementation also involves:

• Integrations with other apps
• Recommendations on AppExchange
• Cleansing unnecessary data
• Training for employees and relevant stakeholders
• Development 
• Best practices 

An effective Salesforce consulting partner can help you select, implement, expand and support the right solution for you and your organization during the entire process and beyond. 

Additionally, the right Salesforce consulting agency can provide you with: 

• Guidance on different Salesforce solutions that will meet your unique business needs 
• Advice on Salesforce pricing, including how to decrease costs while increasing functionality 
• A list of AppExchange apps to help reach your goals so you don’t have to invest in custom development 
• Ensuring your SaaS solution is sound to avoid problems in the future, including updates, security, and data modeling. 
• Risk mitigation related to the scope, budget, and timeline of the project 

That’s a lot to manage. Customization is where Salesforce really shines, and the right consultant can help you navigate AppExchange to help you increase functionalities while reducing time and cost. 

Consider What Success Looks Like for Your Organization

Assessing what success looks like for your organization is absolutely critical to choosing the right Salesforce consulting partner. Knowing what you want to achieve can also give you a deeper understanding of budget and value when assessing different Salesforce consulting agencies. 

If a business is not aligned with goals and outcomes before choosing a Salesforce consulting partner, it’s next to impossible to design a solution to meet those needs. 

Luckily, you can do a deep dive and consider what success looks like: 

• Define your goals and metrics for a successful project 
• Identify which business processes and teams will be impacted 
• Identify and engage stakeholders for each process 
• Begin the process of defining what your long term vision for Salesforce looks like 

While you may not have all of these points set in stone before reaching a final partner, you’ll at least have a general idea of what you want Salesforce to accomplish. An experienced Salesforce consulting partner can even help you define your requirements and narrow down your goals.

How to Choose the Best-Fit Salesforce Consulting Partner

There are many Salesforce consulting companies to choose from. The sheer number of Salesforce agency partners may be overwhelming. 

The decision of whom to work with for a Salesforce implementation project is an important one. There are many different factors to consider, such as the methodology they use, the services they offer, and the certifications that they hold. 

86% of Salesforce customers use partner apps and partner solutions. (Salesforce)

10 Tips For Choosing The Right Salesforce Consulting Partner

1. Do Your Own Research

You’ll have to do a lot of your own research.  Of course, just reading this article means you are already starting the research process, which is great!  However, you’ll have to dig deeper.  Look for Salesforce case studies related to your industry and business.  Ask your peers from other industries who also use Salesforce.  

Join a Salesforce community or in-person groups and official forums to get advice for other business owners like yourself.  You can ask them for reviews of their experience with Salesforce, implementation methodology, Salesforce consulting partners, and the time required to learn the new technology.  In most cases, we see mid to enterprise Salesforce customers achieve net positive ROI if the implementation has been through one complete revenue cycle.  This also delineates between trends versus monthly or quarterly anomalies.

Taking the time to really do research is the key to choosing the right Salesforce partner.  

2. Get Recommendations 

Anyone can claim to be a Salesforce consulting partner. One of the best ways to find a good Salesforce partner is to ask Salesforce to help you. 

Your designated Account Executive can give you a  list of certified partners for your project, which you can then use to narrow down the search with other factors that are important to you. Salesforce professionals are a great resource for finding a reputable Salesforce consulting partner. 

You can also ask your networking contacts for referrals, and check out online reviews to get an idea of what other customers have experienced working with a particular consultant.

Doing this ensures you’re working with a consulting partner that has a proven track record of working successfully with Salesforce.

3. Compare Options 

One of the biggest mistakes that business owners make is leaning toward the first consultant they talk to.  It’s easy to become biased or hire someone right away, especially when you’re excited to get started with Salesforce.  

Keep your options open.  Talk to several consultants. Don’t be fooled by a fancy business proposal.  Instead, ask consultants for demos, case studies, proof of concepts, and more.  

Another good way to gauge a consultant partner’s skills and experience is to ask for references. Ask them for the contact information of a few clients that they have worked with in the past. This will give you a chance to speak with them about their experience working with the consultant.

An established Salesforce consultant will have a plan of action for new clients and will approach your business needs and project systematically.  They’ll want to make sure that they understand your requirements and can support you during implementation and beyond. 

4. Look For A Close Match

Your Salesforce consulting partner should have a strong understanding of your business practices.  

If the prospective Salesforce consulting partner has a substantial and deep understanding of your vertical business process, implementation is much easier.

For instance, you wouldn't want to go with a partner who only has experience working with nonprofits if you're a SaaS startup looking to scale. Having someone who understands your vertical market can help you improve your sales and reach your target customers. While niche may not be a dealbreaker, it is something to consider. 

Ask yourself: 

• How much experience does the potential salesforce consulting partner have in my industry? 
• Is there a proven record of success with other businesses like mine? 
• How much of a learning curve does my vertical market have? 

Answering these questions will help you decide how important finding a consultant in your industry is.

There are many Salesforce consulting companies to choose from. Choosing one who understands your vertical market is critical.

5. Look For Certifications

It’s important to associate with a certified Salesforce Partner. Anyone can call themself a Salesforce consultant. In fact, plenty of people do, even without the knowledge or experience to back it up. 

In order to ensure that you are working with a qualified consultant partner, be sure to check their certifications. The Salesforce Certified Consultant Program is a good place to start. This program is designed to certify partners that have the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully implement Salesforce.

Hiring someone with a Salesforce certification gives you more assurance that you'll receive high-quality and efficient Salesforce services. Certified and experienced Salesforce professionals are more likely to resolve any issues that come up in an efficient and timely manner, focus on your needs, and provide any needed support.

6. Consider The ROI Not Just The Cost  

When you run a business, you have to be mindful of the cost. After all, you have to keep overhead down to make a profit, especially if your business is newer. Salesforce projects don’t really come cheap. 

Cost isn’t the only factor, though. Instead of looking for the cheapest Salesforce consulting partner, you should strive for the most time-efficient and comprehensive Salesforce implementation.  Doing so will help you achieve a higher ROI, which should be the deciding factor in any business. 

When comparing pricing, be sure to consider what is included in the price. Some partners may charge a lower price but may not include all of the services that you need. Others may have a higher price but include all of the services you need. 

Going with a “cheaper” consulting partner could cost you big bucks if they aren’t efficient with their time, or don’t provide the right services.

83% of data migration projects fail and go over their budget and projected time frame. 

Going with an expert who can get these done efficiently can save you money, even if the initial price tag might be higher than a less effective “economical” Salesforce consulting partner.

7. Find A Partner Who Isn’t a “YES” Person

A great consultant sometimes asks inconvenient questions, even questioning the whole logic of your business processes. This is because they have seen the failures of business processes and data models that are inherently flawed. 

You don’t want a “yes” person. A consultant who executes exactly what you ask of them, ignoring the problem at the basic level can be detrimental to your success. You will know that your Salesforce implementation project is in the right hands if your consulting partner asks questions that make you think about your business model to make sure it will actually work. 

Choosing someone with enough experience to really contribute ideas, question what you are doing, and offer alternatives is important. Salesforce is a complex platform, and you'll want to be sure that your potential consulting partner has the expertise to help you get the most out of it.

Ask for case studies or references from past clients to get an idea of their experience and capabilities.

8. Analyze The Project Management Strategy

When both parties agree on the scope of work, it’s necessary to come up with a project management strategy. It’s important to discuss and document how the work will be executed. There are several factors that should be considered right away before problems arise. 

These include: 

• Responsibilities of the stakeholders 
• Contingency plans for mitigating risks 
• Service Level Agreement (SLA). This describes services that will be delivered, and the metrics of effectiveness that will be monitored and evaluated.

Make sure these align with your own business practices and what you hope to achieve. 

9. Clarify Who Does What

Before you make a decision on which Salesforce consulting partner is right for you, meet all of the key players who will be involved. Salesforce implementation can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, depending on your business needs. 

More likely than not, you’ll be working with various people in the Salesforce consulting agency. Meet these people to make sure that they will be a good match. 

For accountability and clarity, both parties should know what consultant and in-house members are involved in the process, and what involvement that consists of.  Determining this will help you decide exactly what roles you need your Salesforce consulting partner to perform, which could really affect your decision. 

There are a ton of key roles, such as Project Administrator, Data Architect, and Project Manager for internal requirements. All of these should be assigned and well-defined. This will save time and issues in the long run by determining who does what. 

One main point of contact should be assigned on the client-side and the consultant side. This will help avoid any confusion and make sure that everyone is on the same page. The main point of contact should have decision-making power and authority to make decisions on behalf of the company.

10. Search For Long-term Engagement

It’s important to choose a Salesforce consulting partner wisely for long-term engagement. Implementation is critical, but consultation goes beyond that. You’ll want to have a Salesforce consultant that can handle evolving needs, even after the implementation process is complete. 

When looking for a consultant, it is important to find one that will be a long-term partner. This means that not only do they have the necessary skills and knowledge, but they are also a good fit for your company culture. A good way to test this is to ask for past references and speak with them about their experience working with the consultant.

Salesforce Certified partners have robust capabilities and mechanisms to proactively identify risks before any issues come up, making long-term engagement a preferred option for businesses serious about customer satisfaction, retention, and scaling their business. 

A good Salesforce consulting partner will be compatible with your company’s culture and aligned with your business goals. They should also share your commitment to quality, customer service, and innovation. Having a partner that you trust and feel comfortable with is incredibly important in the success of your projection for businesses that are customer-centric in nature.

Next Steps

When working with a Salesforce consultant partner, it is important to establish expectations early on. This includes what you hope to achieve from the project and what milestones should be met along the way. This will help keep everyone on track and ensure that both parties are happy with the progress being made.

Sometimes, watching Salesforce customer testimonials, like the one below can help tell a story of other companies reaching their ideal state within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Before signing any contracts, be sure to understand what services are being provided. Ask your consultant partner to provide you with a detailed outline of what they will be doing for you and make sure that everything you need is included. This will help avoid any surprises or additional costs down the road.

It is important to have a written contract in place with your Salesforce consulting partner. This document should outline the services being provided, the cost, and the timeline. Having a contract in place will help prevent any misunderstandings and ensure that both parties are held accountable.

Conclusion

The right Salesforce consulting partner can be a real game-changer for your business. It’s important to choose one that stays abreast of the latest technologies, cloud tools, and changes so that they can make recommendations based on best practices. 

Salesforce consulting companies can partner up with you to really make an impact on your business. They employ cost-effective and time-efficient tools for a range of Salesforce prescribed services for strategy, implementation, data migration, system management and training, and development. They will help you simplify your experience with Salesforce while driving sales and operational goals and boosting productivity. 

Salesforce consulting companies provide immense benefits. Choosing the right Salesforce consulting partner is critical as they are your trusted partners for your entire CRM journey! Choosing the right Salesforce agency partners is imperative. You’ll want to make sure to choose a team that knows what they’re doing and goes hand in hand with your business practice and pace. 

To find the right Salesforce partner for your business, you’ll need to take your time and look at many different aspects diligently. Salesforce implementation has a wide learning curve, like any other technology change or upgrade. Having someone who is well versed in Salesforce can help build a unified sales ecosystem that results in superior performance. 

Salesforce is a great way to stay competitive and finding the right partner is critical. Follow the 10 tips listed in this article and you’ll be well on your way to a successful Salesforce project- along with a better customer journey, more effective performance, and higher revenue. 

It’s Never Too Early or Too Late to Engage with a Salesforce Consulting Partner 

Salesforce implementation or ongoing projects take up a lot of time. Whether you’re just starting to think about a Salesforce implementation, or you want to revamp the Salesforce process you’ve already started, you can always seek the help of a consulting partner. 

How can Salesforce agency partners like 310 Creative help you?

1. We’ll help you create a strategy for Salesforce implementation to meet your needs while staying within your project budget and timeframe.
2. Evaluate risks and ways to overcome them, as well as set up tips for systems integration or customization, data migration, and app development.
3. Help you identify which internal specialists can perform each task, determine the certain implementation roles of the consulting partner and your own team, and get started.
4. Help troubleshoot any issues you run into or challenges you have during implementation or prior to hiring a salesforce consulting partner. 

Salesforce implementation can help you scale your business exponentially. The right Salesforce consulting partner can be a game-changer.