What’s the Difference Between a Salesforce Consultant and a Salesforce Developer?
If well executed, Salesforce might be one of the most crucial steps your company can implement. The CRM platform facilitates the management of your customer database through a centralized and automated platform, enabling your team to offer customized services to your clients. Salesforce has served businesses in virtually every industry for over twenty years. Nonetheless, despite Salesforce’s prominence in the industry, many businesses still struggle to distinguish between the roles of Salesforce Developer and Consultant.
This post will outline the difference between these two professions and provide more information you may need. But first, let’s define the roles of Salesforce developers and consultants so we can compare them more easily.
Who is a Salesforce Consultant?
A Salesforce consultant is a specialist who assists a business in implementing and optimizing Salesforce. When problems arise for Salesforce users, they are the go-to people, or the company wants advice on optimizing the platform’s usage.
A Salesforce consultant’s work spans the whole implementation process, from the preliminary concept to widespread user adoption. The best Salesforce consultants are bouncing boards for their customers’ ideas and show them how to get the most out of the CRM system. This includes assisting them with budget allocation, determining KPIs, outlining their objectives, and developing an execution strategy, among other tasks.
Most businesses choose to have contractual relationships with external Salesforce consultancy partners. That way, they won’t allow their personal biases to get in the way of a successful CRM rollout, and they’ll be able to use the platform to its full potential. Salesforce consultants can also be employed long-term if the project scope is higher and requires a greater commitment from the Salesforce expert.
Salesforce consultancy services can be offered by either individuals or Salesforce consulting companies. Salesforce consultants are considered the “Jacks of all trades” since they know much about the CRM platform and its numerous features but aren’t officially affiliated with Salesforce.
Now that we understand the job of a Salesforce consultant let’s define a Salesforce developer.
Who is a Salesforce Developer?
Developers create and update programs using their coding and developer skills. They collaborate with other developers, project managers, and business analysts to determine the requirements of a software program and then create a program that fulfills those requirements.
Developers are responsible for creating code that functions as intended and improves on the original concept. In addition, they test the code to confirm it fulfills all quality and performance requirements. Fundamentally, developers collaborate with other developers to design, test, and distribute software products.
Salesforce Consultants Vs. Developers – What is the Difference?
The following are the primary distinctions between a Salesforce consultant and a developer.
Job Duties
Although Salesforce developers and consultants deal with software, their duties can vary. Salesforce consultants assist companies in implementing the platform to enhance business operations. They are responsible for holding client meetings, developing implementation strategies, and offering support even after implementation.
On the other hand, developers design apps tailored to an organization’s specific demands. Salesforce offers prebuilt features, but developers often use other languages or modify those provided by the platform to create custom solutions. Before releasing their code, developers conduct extensive testing to guarantee it is error-free.
Job Requirements
Typically, Salesforce consultants require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or a related discipline. Additionally, they must have worked with Salesforce software and be familiar with its features and capabilities. Sometimes, employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree in Salesforce.
Developers of Salesforce must have a solid grasp of programming languages such as Java, Visualforce, or Apex. Additionally, they must interact with the Salesforce platform and its application development architecture. Employers typically demand a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline, although some may prefer individuals with a master’s degree or certification.
Employment Conditions
Salesforce consultants can operate in a broad range of environments depending on the firm they are working for. They may visit several workplaces and speak with clients in person or over the phone. Additionally, some salesforce consultants work remotely from their remote offices.
On the other hand, Salesforce developers work in an office where they can communicate with coworkers and use tools like printers and computers. Developers frequently work full-time for a single employer, although they can also freelance.
Skills
Both Salesforce consultants and developers must possess exceptional communication skills. This is essential since they will work with clients to determine their goals and explain how the Salesforce platform can be leveraged to satisfy them. Additionally, they must be able to interact with other team members, such as designers, to ensure that the resulting product satisfies the client’s requirements.
Salesforce consultants must also possess solid problem-solving skills. This is because they may be tasked with resolving problems that develop during the deployment of a Salesforce solution. Additionally, they must think creatively to generate unique remedies to potential challenges.
Developers must possess solid technical skills. They need to have this skill set since they will write the code for the solutions deployed on the Salesforce platform. To design client-specific solutions, they must comprehensively understand the Salesforce platform and its operations.
Final Verdict
Salesforce developers and consultants are in high demand in the current business environment. These experts are in high demand because of the growing popularity of cloud computing and the ongoing push for greater productivity in the business world.
Many businesses need the support of highly knowledgeable and qualified employees to keep things running smoothly in today’s technologically advanced corporate world. Developers and consultants have numerous positions with varying roles and responsibilities. Consultants and developers, however, continue to support one another in their respective fields.