Choosing the right Salesforce development company for your implementation needs can make the difference between success and failure. The question is: what should you factor in when making this choice?
OMI has been a Salesforce development agency ever since the platform’s release, and we know exactly what makes a good partner. So in this article, we’ll break down the key factors you need to consider for the best possible outcome.
We’ll explore the importance of expertise and experience, certifications, client references, and more. On top of that, we’ll address the importance of transparent pricing and cultural fit, ensuring your chosen partner aligns with your values and budget.
Expertise and Experience
Expertise in Salesforce Development
Look for a Salesforce development team that boasts a team of skilled developers proficient in Apex, Visualforce, Lightning Web Components, and other such tools. These tools are essential for customizing and extending the Salesforce platform to align with your specific business requirements.
They should also excel in solution architecture, designing scalable and efficient solutions that align with best practices and adhere to Salesforce’s architectural principles.
Experience with Similar Projects
Request to see examples of past projects that align closely with your own. Pay attention to the complexity of the projects, the industries served, and the outcomes achieved.
Don’t hesitate to ask for references from past clients – reach out to these references to gather firsthand feedback on the company’s performance, communication, and ability to meet project deadlines and objectives.
Lastly, ask about the company’s project management approach and methodologies. Look for evidence (or as close to it as possible) of their ability to successfully plan and execute projects on time and within budget.
Certifications and Qualifications
Salesforce designates partners at different tiers based on their expertise, success, and customer satisfaction. Prioritize companies with higher partner statuses, such as Platinum or Gold, as these indicate a proven track record of delivering quality solutions.
On top of that, some Salesforce partners specialize in specific industries, products, or services – and the best fit for your specific case should demonstrate a deep understanding of your niche as well as a track record of delivering such specialized solutions.
Salesforce Development Company’s Client References and Portfolio
Client References and Testimonials
Ask for references from clients who have completed projects similar in scope and complexity to yours – and don’t rely solely on references provided by the partner. Visit online review platforms, industry forums, and social media to gather a more diverse range of opinions from past clients. Look for testimonials that are specific, detailed, and highlight measurable outcomes or benefits achieved as a result of working with the company.
When contacting references, prepare a list of targeted questions that delve into communication, project management, technical expertise, and post-project support. Some examples may include:
- How would you rate the partner’s communication throughout the project?
- Did they deliver the project within the agreed timeline and budget?
- Were there any challenges or issues encountered during the project, and how were they resolved?
- Does the partner offer post-implementation support?
- Overall, would you recommend this partner to a company like ours?
Past Projects and Case Studies
Access the company’s portfolio of past projects, either through its website, marketing materials, or direct communication. When reviewing those, prioritize relevance to your project requirements – projects that align closely with your industry, business model, functional requirements, and technological stack.
Where possible, request live demonstrations or walkthroughs of past projects to gain a firsthand understanding of the implemented solutions and their functionality. Live demonstrations allow you to assess the usability, scalability, and performance of the solutions in a real-world context.
Customization and Integration Capabilities
Company’s Approach to Customization
Be as open as possible about your customization needs during initial consultations with the candidates – this will help you find the best match. The best are companies that employ agile methodologies, allowing for iterative development and frequent feedback loops. Look for evidence of their agile practices such as user story mapping, sprint planning, and continuous integration/delivery.
A nice-to-have – a Salesforce development agency that is also strong at user experience (UX) design in their customization process. Request examples of past projects where the company has implemented user-centric design principles and assessed the usability of their solutions through demos or prototypes.
Integrations with Other Systems
Review the company’s expertise in integrating Salesforce with other systems – ERP platforms, marketing automation tools, or custom legacy applications. Inquire about the company’s experience with integrating Salesforce with systems similar to yours. Request details on integration methodologies, data synchronization strategies, and best practices for ensuring interoperability between systems.
Assess the company’s proficiency in Salesforce APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for building integrations. It’s important because API helps with seamless data exchange and functionality sync between Salesforce and external systems.
Flexibility in Adapting to Your Needs
Evaluate the company’s responsiveness to your inquiries and their willingness to accommodate certain changes. The best partners are those that can deliver adaptable solutions, but will not necessarily be quick to commit to every of your wants. They will carefully assess your case and make a decision on which goals are possible to meet and which are beyond their capabilities.
Also, discuss your long-term strategic objectives with the candidates and see if they can scale along with your business. Look for evidence of future-proofing strategies, such as modular architecture, flexible configurations, and extensible functionality.
Communication and Collaboration
Clear Communication Channels
Make sure to define preferred communication channels and frequency of updates – the best Salesforce application development company will strive to keep you informed at every stage of the project. It also helps if you can get direct access to key team members on their side such as project managers and developers, not just account managers.
Responsiveness and Availability
Request information on the company’s average response times, availability during business hours, and procedures for addressing urgent issues or escalations. Your natural preference should be companies that offer 24/7 support or emergency response services, especially for mission-critical projects or global implementations with diverse time zones.
Project Management Tools
Find out as much as you can about the company’s project management approach, methodologies, and tools used for project planning, tracking, and reporting. For that purpose, feel free to request demos of client collaboration portals or access to sample project dashboards.
You should also demand regular status updates and progress reports from the company, detailing milestones achieved, issues encountered, and action plans for resolution. Establish communication cadences and reporting frequencies with the candidates to be aligned on expectations.
Support and Maintenance Services of Salesforce Development Company
Post-Development Support
Ask about the company’s post-development support processes – contact methods, response times, procedures for resolving technical issues and addressing user queries are all critical. Assess the availability of technical experts and subject matter specialists who can provide knowledgeable assistance and guidance on resolving complex issues or optimizing system performance.
You also should lean towards companies that maintain comprehensive knowledge bases, documentation libraries, or self-help resources – this will help you with troubleshooting and user adoption.
Maintenance Services and Updates
Ensure the company offers regular system maintenance services, including software updates, patches, and performance optimizations, to keep your Salesforce instance up-to-date. Make sure that the company’s maintenance schedules and update policies fit into your vision of effective Salesforce management.
Discuss with the partner their tools and methodologies – the most preferable are those that offer real-time alerts, trend analysis, and predictive analytics to anticipate and prevent issues before they escalate.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Request copies of the company’s SLAs and carefully review them to ensure they meet your expectations. Pay attention to such key metrics as response time objectives, uptime guarantees, and escalation procedures for unresolved issues.
Don’t hesitate to ask about the company’s SLA compliance monitoring mechanisms, i.e. what happens in case of SLA breaches or service deficiencies. If possible, seek references or testimonials from past clients regarding the company’s SLA adherence and service quality.
Pricing and Budget
Prioritize companies that offer transparent pricing models with clear cost breakdowns, including fees for development, customization, licensing, support, and maintenance.
To do that, request detailed quotes or proposals from the candidates that will outline all associated costs and pricing components – avoiding unexpected expenses or hidden charges is key.
It’s also usually preferable to choose teams that offer flexible payment options, such as fixed-price contracts, time and materials (T&M) billing, or milestone-based payments
Don’t forget to consider the total cost of ownership beyond initial development expenses, including ongoing support, maintenance, and potential scalability or expansion costs over time.
And if your budget is rather limited, explore various cost optimization strategies, such as using Salesforce accelerators, reusable components, or out-of-the-box solutions. Experienced Salesforce partners will know how to find opportunities for cost optimization and efficiency gains throughout the project lifecycle – you only need to make your priorities clear for them.
Cultural Fit and Company Values
Cultural fit is as important as technical competencies – make sure to have open conversations with the candidates to gauge their cultural alignment with your team. Evaluate the company’s communication channels, responsiveness to inquiries, and transparency in project management processes.
If possible, take notice of the company’s employee engagement levels, retention rates, and workplace culture to gain insights into their internal dynamics and organizational health. To take it a step further, you can research employee reviews, testimonials, and feedback on platforms like Glassdoor or LinkedIn.
Lastly, you should always discuss key values and guiding principles with the candidates to assess alignment with your organizational ethos, cultural norms, and long-term vision. Look for synergies in areas such as innovation, customer-centricity, and commitment to excellence to reinforce cultural compatibility.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Salesforce development company hinges on several critical factors that are not exclusively technical. A company’s expertise and experience, especially in handling projects similar to yours, are foundational to successful implementation. So are certifications and a strong portfolio that underscore the partner’s their proficiency and reliability.
At the same time, transparent pricing models and post-development support safeguard your investment and future-proof your Salesforce environment, providing peace of mind that your system will remain robust and efficient over time.
Ultimately, the best partner will not only meet your immediate technical needs but also align with your strategic goals and organizational ethos. If you feel that your team may benefit from collaborating with an expert Salesforce development agency, don’t hesitate to reach out to OMI – our team will make your Salesforce products work better than ever.