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No question, Salesforce has the largest CRM market size in the world. It’s the most powerful enterprise CRM available on the market today.

This ultimate cost guide outlines the essential factors, pricing tiers, and hidden expenses you should consider when implementing Salesforce. After going through this blog you will be able to embark on your Salesforce journey with confidence and make informed decisions to maximize your CRM investment for long-term success.

There are a variety of features available that will help sales teams of all sizes to reach prospects, maintain internal communication, and manage deals from the initial contact until conversion, such as:

  • Reducing manual data entry through intelligent workflows
  • Managing the sales pipeline and forecasting sales
  • Insights and reporting
  • Details about contacts are gathered from Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
  • The ability to edit variables in-line, etc., and
  • Task management and KPI tracking

Salesforce is the way to go if you’re looking for a CRM that can be tailored for almost any application.

However, the Salesforce ecosystem offers many options for customization, making it a challenge to achieve that level of customizability without getting confused, and you might be left asking the following questions-

  • My Salesforce build is basic. How do I customize it?
  • How should I invest my time and money in Salesforce Appexchange apps?
  • What Salesforce module would be the best fit for the needs of my organization, and how do I implement it?
  • In order to make a smooth transition to Salesforce, we need to train and coach our sales representatives and stakeholders. What are the best ways to accomplish that using the current systems?
  • Can we resolve any issues we encounter with our technical know-how?

In essence, that’s what Salesforce implementation is all about. 

The services offered by a Salesforce implementation partner include helping you choose the right Salesforce solution, synchronizing your data and setting up your new Salesforce system, providing training for your staff, after the initial setup, and continuing to assist you after the installation process has been completed.

The purpose of this article is to explain what Salesforce implementation entails from your first consultation to the ongoing support you receive from your implementation partner. This will allow you to:

  • Prepare a budget that is appropriate for a Salesforce deployment.
  • Identify the most cost-effective partner and choose them.
  • The quality of support will not be compromised while you reduce implementation costs.

Services and Products offered by Salesforce-

  • Sales Cloud Essentials
  • Sales Cloud Professional
  • Sales Cloud Enterprise
  • Sales Cloud Unlimited

How much does it cost to implement Salesforce?

Depending on several factors, Salesforce deployment cost can range from $5,000 to over $100,000. Factors that can affect the cost are:

  • The quality of the Salesforce implementation consultant you decide to partner with.
  • Your Salesforce build’s technical complexity and the volume of data you’re migrating.
  • Customizations and integrations with third parties.
  • If you are upgrading from another platform or setting up Salesforce from scratch.
  • Whether you want ongoing maintenance and support.

In general, the average cost of CRM implementation increases with the complexity of the implementation.

Nevertheless, you still get more value for your money when you work with an implementation partner than you would if you hired a group of four Salesforce administrators who are earning just $97,413 per year, since it will set you back $389,652 in annual salaries.

Salesforce Implementation Cost: A Breakdown-

Based on your needs and how much you plan to spend to maximize your Salesforce investment, we conducted a step-by-step analysis to determine how much you can expect to spend with an implementation partner.

1. Integrations and Customizations:

A wide range of third-party applications can integrate seamlessly with Salesforce’s basic deployment to provide limitless possibilities.

Alternatively, you can contract an implementation partner to design custom Salesforce applications with the functionality you need if your basic Salesforce deployment lacks the necessary features.

A skilled Salesforce developer can cost approximately $20 to $190 per hour, depending on how much work is involved.

2. Transfer of Data:

The majority of users want to keep all their existing data when moving from another CRM platform to Salesforce.

An implementation partner will help you structure the data, clean it up, match it up with Salesforce variables, and export it in order to be able to resume your work directly within Salesforce without much downtime.

3. Consultation on Implementation:

Using crowdsourced content and help documentation, you can learn Salesforce by yourself, and you can also ask for tips from successful Salesforce deployments.

Implementation partners can help you plan for your Salesforce deployment so that you can launch your Salesforce build in a way that meets your entire organization’s needs, rather than spending weeks hoping that it’s going to go well.

A Salesforce implementation partner can guide you through the entire process, helping you select the appropriate platform, transfer your data from any existing CRM, train your team to maximize the benefits of Salesforce, and offer post-launch support. 

This support includes developing custom apps, integrating other applications, and more, ensuring a seamless experience and a successful implementation.

Based on your budget, you have the option to collaborate with either full-service Salesforce agencies or smaller consultants, who typically charge about 40% less than the agencies. 

The fees for these services can range from $85 to $145 per hour, allowing you to choose a solution that best fits your financial constraints. This can be a huge help in regulating the Salesforce cost for small business.

4. Training users:

Once your Salesforce implementation is complete, it’s essential to focus on training your team to effectively use the platform. 

Salesforce certifications can range from $200 up to $6,000 for the highest-level certification, the Certified Technical Architect. 

Investing in a training program will ensure your sales team understands how Salesforce operates and how to manage sales processes with minimal obstacles. 

Proper training helps your sales reps become proficient in using the platform, allowing you to start seeing a return on investment through increased sales. 

With us at TIS can help streamline Salesforce onboarding and training, quickly bringing your team up to speed on essential tasks and processes.

5. Post-launch support:

Once your Salesforce implementation is complete, ongoing technical support is necessary for as long as you use the platform. 

You can either create an in-house team of Salesforce developers and administrators or partner with third-party providers to maintain your implementation, address issues, and offer continuous guidance and assistance to your sales team. 

With TIS, you can provide your Salesforce-driven teams with on-demand training, leading to higher win rates, quicker resolution times, and enhanced service quality. 

By learning when needed, your team’s path to productivity becomes faster than ever.

Breaking Down Salesforce Products and Pricing

Wondering how much Salesforce Sales Cloud will cost for your team? Keep in mind that you’ll need to consider licensing fees, consulting, and setup fees. The number of Salesforce users in your organization will affect the overall cost. Here’s a simple breakdown of Salesforce Sales Cloud pricing tiers:

Sales Cloud Essentials:

$25/user/month This basic CRM package is perfect for getting started. Your team can track leads, manage contacts, and follow a step-by-step sales process with ease.

Sales Cloud Professional:

$75/user/month A complete CRM solution for teams big and small, this plan includes account, lead, contact, and opportunity management, plus Gmail and Outlook integrations. Capture leads automatically, score prospects, and follow up at the right time with Sales Cloud Professional.

Sales Cloud Enterprise:

$150/user/month Get all the features of Essentials and Professional, plus powerful workflow automation. Reduce manual work in your sales process with Salesforce’s automated workflows and approval system.

Sales Cloud Unlimited:

$300/user/month The ultimate Salesforce package! Gain access to Salesforce’s Web Services API, Google integrations, and advanced reporting. See all your sales rep’s conversations, deals, messages, and files in one dashboard.

Costs will vary based on your team size and plan choice. For example, a 30-person sales team on the Enterprise plan will cost $54,000 per year in licenses. Consider your budget and choose the best plan for your organization, while also investing in top-notch implementation services.

3 Cost-saving strategies for Salesforce implementations

Costs associated with Salesforce are high. In fact, Salesforce will still cost your organization more if you don’t implement a comprehensive strategy.

When you are looking to deploy Salesforce across your organization, it is recommended that you begin by creating a detailed game plan that explains what your requirements are, which Salesforce products you require, and how you can implement and use it quickly after deployment.

1. Determine which Salesforce solution is right for your organization with the help of an implementation partner

What if you choose the wrong solution and it does not resolve your issues? 

You’ll find out how Salesforce fits into your sales operation with the help of an implementation partner, get advice on the most appropriate solution, and be assisted with deployment, migration, and training.

2. Prior to beginning, set a budget

A In addition to not restricting the budget too much, it is important to have a ballpark idea in mind. This will help you avoid cosmetic expenditures and focus on the most important features that will generate a positive return on investment.

It is possible to estimate a budget for implementation services, training, etc. by considering the Salesforce plan you are investing in, and the number of licenses you intend to acquire for each rep.

3. Sales reps can be onboarded using guided adoption

If your sales team uses another CRM system or just spreadsheets and emails, they probably manage their sales operations with another system currently. 

Your team will need to spend the time learning how to navigate the Salesforce platform once you have made the switch to Salesforce, and figure out how all the possibilities that the platform offers can be used to your advantage.

Using Salesforce you can increase your revenue by anywhere from 300 to 500% in the next four years. 

As well as reducing the number of emails (26%) and meetings (25%) that your sales team has to send and the amount of IT costs that your sales team is required to spend.

Conclusion

It is important to reduce the learning curve for your SDRs and to onboard them as quickly as possible so they can take full advantage of all that Salesforce has to offer. An effective CRM adoption strategy is therefore essential for organizations.

Reach out to us at TIS for Salesforce CRM adoption and on-demand support. 

We offer personalized assistance for your Salesforce interface so that you can learn how the platform works faster and how to maximize its potential.

FAQs

  1. What factors influence the cost of implementing Salesforce?

Several factors contribute to the overall cost of implementing Salesforce, including the Salesforce edition you choose, the number of user licenses required, the complexity of your organization’s needs, customization and integration requirements, and any additional third-party applications or services. 

Additionally, ongoing costs like user training, support, and maintenance should be taken into account.

  1. How does the choice of Salesforce edition affect implementation costs?

Salesforce offers various editions, each with different features, capabilities, and pricing structures. Choosing a higher-tier edition, like Salesforce Enterprise or Unlimited, will increase implementation costs due to the increased subscription fees. 

However, these editions also come with advanced features and greater customization options, which may be necessary for more complex implementations.

  1. Is hiring a Salesforce consultant or implementation partner necessary, and how does it impact the overall cost?

While it’s not mandatory to hire a Salesforce consultant or implementation partner, doing so can greatly improve the implementation process, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. 

These professionals can help with customization, integration, and user training, leading to a more successful implementation. 

However, hiring a consultant or implementation partner will add to the overall cost of implementation, with rates varying based on experience, expertise, and project scope.

 

About the Author:

This blog is authored by Nandini Pathak with an area of expertise in technology. Uniquely blending her legal background to create engaging content, she is passionately involved in emerging technology trends. An avid dog lover, her warmth and empathy enrich her writing style. Nandini’s passion for learning and her SEO proficiency ensure her work stays relevant and visible, making her an impactful content creator who seamlessly integrates personal pursuits with professional expertise in the technology domain.