Hiring a Salesforce Admin vs Consultant

By: Michael TetrickMay 18, 2023

Salesforce Admin or Consultant? Who to hire? Salesforce is one of the most potent and popular customer relationship management (CRM) systems on the market, and it's no wonder that more and more businesses are turning to Salesforce to help them keep track of their customers and manage their sales, marketing, and customer service processes. But with so many different components involved, it can be not easy to know who exactly you need to hire to get the most out of your Salesforce implementation.

The critical roles for successful Salesforce implementation are Salesforce Administrators and Consultants. These professionals have very different skill sets and offer distinct services depending on your needs. But who do you need: Salesforce Admin or Consultant?

Salesforce Administrator is responsible for managing your Salesforce system's day-to-day configuration and upkeep. Some core responsibilities for an administrator include: setting up user accounts, creating custom fields on records, configuring workflows and automation processes, monitoring system performance, running reports, troubleshooting errors, and maintaining security settings within the system. It's important to note that administrators don't typically provide strategic guidance or advice on how best to use Salesforce – they mainly focus on keeping it up and running optimally.

On the other hand, Salesforce Consultant is responsible for providing tailored solutions based on organizational goals or challenges a business faces. They will analyze current processes or designs within Salesforce and then suggest improvements or adjustments based on their expertise with the platform if you want to create new features or functions within your CRM system that goes beyond what an administrator can do alone.

Ultimately when deciding between hiring an Administrator or Consultant for your Salesforce implementation, it comes down to identifying what tasks you'll need to be completed to meet your business objectives across all departments: Marketing, Sales & Customer Service teams. But is this best handled by a Salesforce Admin or Consultant?

Salesforce Consultants are experienced professionals who specialize in helping businesses maximize their use of the Salesforce platform. They provide tailored solutions focusing on organizational goals and challenges, leveraging their expertise with the system to improve efficiency and effectiveness. From strategic planning, process design, and industry best practices to custom application development and salesforce integration with other software suites – a Salesforce Consultant can help you get the most out of your CRM system.

Who is a Salesforce Consultant?

A Salesforce Consultant will analyze existing processes within the platform and suggest improvements or adjustments based on their experience. This includes everything from identifying areas where performance could be improved to creating new features or functions beyond what an administrator can do alone. Additionally, they can assist with integrating your CRM with other systems, such as MailChimp or HubSpot, allowing you access to deeper insights into customer behavior across multiple platforms. Ultimately a consultant is there to ensure that you're getting maximum value from your implementation of Salesforce by providing high-level strategic guidance explicitly tailored to your organization's needs.

Who Is An Accidental Salesforce Administrator?

An accidental Salesforce Administrator is an individual with limited to no technical background who has been assigned to maintain and manage a Salesforce instance. Accidental administrators often need more expertise but can become proficient with guidance from experienced consultants or mentors. Accidental Administrators usually need more training in the complexities of the Salesforce platform yet find themselves in charge of managing users, configuring access rights, troubleshooting system errors, and optimizing performance.

Who Is A Salesforce Administrator?

A Salesforce Administrator is an expert in the Salesforce platform and is responsible for its management and maintenance. They are knowledgeable in setting up user accounts, creating custom fields on records, configuring workflows and automation processes, monitoring system performance, running reports, and troubleshooting errors. Additionally, they are familiar with security settings and compliance protocols to ensure a safe and secure environment for the organization's data. Administrators also serve as a point of contact for any questions related to daily use of the platform, offering guidance on best practices along the way. To excel in this role requires an individual with technical proficiency and a thorough understanding of how Salesforce works within an organizational context.

The Difference Between A Salesforce Admin And Consultant

Salesforce Admin or Consultant? A Salesforce Administrator and Consultant differ in their roles, scope of expertise, and responsibilities. An Administrator is a technical expert responsible for managing and maintaining a Salesforce platform within an organization. They are knowledgeable in setting up user accounts, creating custom fields on records, configuring workflows and automation processes, monitoring system performance, running reports, and troubleshooting errors. On the other hand, a Consultant provides high-level strategic guidance tailored specifically for an organization's needs by ensuring maximum value from using Salesforce. They are experienced professionals who can assess an organization's capabilities and recommend ways to optimize its platform usage.

  • Time Spent On Salesforce Projects - A Salesforce Administrator typically focuses on the day-to-day upkeep of the system, such as user account management, customizing fields and reports, troubleshooting errors, and managing security settings. This work usually requires continual maintenance to ensure that data is secure and up-to-date. On the other hand, a Consultant spends more time developing a high-level strategy tailored to an organization's needs by assessing its capabilities and recommending ways to maximize its usage of Salesforce. They also spend time integrating the system with other software suites to give access to deeper insights into customer behavior across multiple platforms.
  • Duration Of Business Relationships - The duration of business relationships between a Salesforce Administrator and a Consultant can vary greatly depending on the project's scope. An Administrator is typically a long-term relationship, as they are responsible for continually maintaining and updating the system to ensure it adheres to security policies and complies with privacy laws. A Knowledge About The CRM Platform.
  • Knowledge About The CRM Platform - The knowledge required to manage a Salesforce platform effectively differs between a Salesforce Admin and a Consultant. An Admin requires a good understanding of the nuances and capabilities of the platform itself, as well as how it integrates with other systems. They manage user accounts, configure automation processes, and troubleshoot errors.
  • Midway Change Of Scope - The difference in scope between a Salesforce Administrator and Consultant can be drastic. Whereas an Admin is typically focused on the day-to-day upkeep of the system, such as user account management, customizing fields and reports, troubleshooting errors, and managing security settings, a Consultant offers higher-level guidance.

Hire Salesforce Admin Or Consultant From Rely Services

Salesforce Admin or Consultant? Rely Services can help you decide easier between an Admin or a Consultant for your Salesforce platform. We can provide you with the expertise and knowledge to assess your organization's capabilities, develop custom solutions, and ensure your system is secure, compliant with privacy laws, and optimized for maximum value. Our team of experienced professionals will help you navigate complex integrations, design efficient workflows, and customize fields and reports tailored to your specific needs. Let us help you maximize the potential of your Salesforce platform today!