Salesforce Consulting Service vs. Internal Hires: Making the Right Choice
When it comes to getting help with your Salesforce instance, for tasks like custom email templates, Visualforce pages, or automated APEX triggers, you'll face a choice: Should you opt for a Salesforce consulting service or hire a CRM development expert for your team? If you're unsure which option is right for your organization, where do you start?
We've prepared a comprehensive review of your options to guide you in your journey to find Salesforce help, especially if you're just embarking on this path. We've outlined essential considerations to help you make an informed decision.
Salesforce Consulting Services Comparison
The Offshore Salesforce Consultant
By far the most cost-effective option, offshore consultants are international resources who work independently or for consulting firms.
Pros:
Cost Savings: Considerably lower developmental labor costs overseas.
Delegation of Work: Allows your in-house team to focus on higher-priority tasks.
Less Paperwork: No need to deal with in-house hiring or contracting complexities.
Cons:
Communication Barrier: Potential language and translation issues.
Chronology: Time zone differences can lead to communication delays.
Reliability: The focus may be divided among multiple clients or disrupted by technical issues.
While offshore development is cost-effective, the challenge of coordinating support during their business hours may affect your overall investment. Time is a valuable factor, and project delays can incur substantial costs.
The Independent Salesforce Consultant
The market offers a plethora of administrators and functional consultants, but finding experts in Salesforce API Integration can be more challenging. These specialists can vary from highly skilled programmers to super user administrators.
Pros:
Moderate Pricing: Independent Salesforce consultants are often reasonably priced when compared to offshore Salesforce help.
Direct Accessibility: Local independent Salesforce consultants are typically more accessible than offshore consultants.
Personable: Working with a Salesforce independent contractor can add a more personal touch to their services.
Cons:
Support: Some may lack knowledge of the most efficient practices without the support of industry associates.
Reliability: Some may have difficulty meeting deadlines.
Inability to Absorb Errors: Managing technical issues can be slow, as they often handle multiple clients independently.
The Professional Salesforce Development Service
This option often involves companies that serve various markets and carefully select projects to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
Pros:
Large Braintrust: With a professional Salesforce development team, you’re typically getting group of associates with extensive knowledge working together.
Metrics-Driven: Professional Salesforce teams are typically motivated by key performance indicators (KPI) to ensure success.
Experienced Team Members: Salesforce developers with diverse industry experience and advanced programming skills.
Communication & Accessibility: Staff availability for project discussions and issue resolution.
Cons:
Premium Pricing: Salesforce professional services firms can be costlier than offshore and independent consultants.
Scheduling & Needs: Project selectivity may apply depending on your requirements and deadlines.
This category of consulting service is often the most reliable and offers tailored solutions for your Salesforce implementation needs. While not always the cheapest option, it ensures the safety and quality of your organization.
Tips For Hiring Salesforce Help
Understanding the roles involved in Salesforce design, development, integration, implementation, and maintenance is essential for making informed decisions about your CRM development.
Just as you wouldn't enlist a dentist to repair your car, why opt for an in-house Salesforce Administrator to handle APEX code and custom Salesforce API implementation? Elevate your Salesforce game by bringing in specialized expertise that navigates the intricacies of APEX and seamlessly integrates custom APIs, ensuring your platform operates at its peak performance.
Comparing Salesforce Help Positions
The Technical Salesforce Architect
These experts assess business needs and develop solutions, communicating plans for moving forward. However, they don't typically handle the bulk of construction.
The Salesforce Developer
Developers implement the Blueprint/Solution in code, specializing in APEX programming and Visualforce pages.
The Salesforce Administrator
Salesforce administrators ensure efficient database use, typically using no-code tools to improve workflows.
Do You Need a Full-Time Person?
Hiring full-time Technical Salesforce Architects or Salesforce Developers may exceed your needs unless you have an ongoing project. These experts thrive on programming tasks. Utilizing a Salesforce professional services firm can afford you the flexibility to complete projects at a convenient time, without having to worry about long-term staffing.
These are generalizations based on the experiences of Salesforce buyers during their implementation projects. You have various options for Salesforce consulting services or consultants, but it's essential not to choose solely based on cost or speed. Before deciding, consider your current needs, timeline, and budget.
Jumpstart your Salesforce project with ForceSource
ForceSource offers complimentary consultation for organizations looking for help implementing or improving their Salesforce instance. To take advantage of this offer, contact us today!