Salesforce is to customer relationship management (CRM) suites as Google is to search engines and Windows is to operating systems. Despite growing competition in their particular industries, they continue to stay at the top of their game.
In Salesforce’s case, its cloud-based features have become the template for CRM suites of today and tomorrow. It has also gained the largest market share. That’s why businesses will pay top dollar for professionals certified in operating at least one part of the Salesforce platform. (8)
As expected of a multifaceted platform, there’s no single certification. You need to get the right certification for your role. This guide will lead you to the right path based on the five main roles.
Administrator
The Administrator is responsible for coordinating with clients about the things they need for their Salesforce-based tools. They make the process easy by assisting clients with the more technical aspects of Salesforce and keeping the system working. You’ll also be handling reports as well as understanding dashboards and workflows. (5)
Four relevant certifications fall under the Administrator umbrella:
- Administrator
- Advanced Administrator
- CPQ Specialist
- Platform App Builder
(1)
You need to pass the Salesforce admin exam to receive the Administrator certification, which is a good place to start building your Salesforce portfolio. The test heavily focuses on Salesforce configuration and setup and Object Manager and Lightning App Builder, comprising 40% of the questions. (2)(7)
Naturally, the Advanced Administrator requires the base-level Administrator certification. CPQ Specialist and Platform App Builder certifications don’t need prior Administrator certification, but it helps if you are.
(1)
Architect
The Architect’s role is divided between the Solution Architect and Technical Architect. Exactly as their titles imply, the Solution Architect’s job is to come up with ways to maximize a client’s Salesforce utilization. Meanwhile, the Technical Architect is responsible for applying whatever the Solution Architect has thought. (6)
The Architect category has the most certifications, but you don’t need to get them all. Under the Technical Architect and Solution Architect paths are two sub-paths. The Salesforce certificates you need will depend on the sub-path you choose.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Application Technical Architect requirements
- Data Architecture and Management Designer
- Sharing and Visibility Designer
- Platform Developer I
- Platform App Builder
- System Technical Architect requirements
- Development Lifecycle and Deployment Designer
- Identity and Access Management Designer
- Integration Architecture Designer
- Platform Developer I
- B2B Solution Architect requirements
- Data Architecture and Management Designer
- Sharing and Visibility Designer
- Platform Developer I
- Platform App Builder
- B2C Solution Architect requirements
- Integration Architecture Designer
- Platform App Builder
- Marketing Cloud Email Specialist
(3)
Consultant
While the first two roles involve working closely with clients, the Consultant typically works the closest. When the client faces a serious problem with their Salesforce suite, the Consultant offers the best possible solutions. While a Solution Architect has a somewhat similar role, they have to base their ideas on whatever the Consultant and clients have agreed on.
Under the Consultant role are seven relevant certifications:
- Community Cloud Consultant
- Education Cloud Consultant
- Einstein Analytics and Discovery Consultant
- Field Service Lightning Consultant
- Nonprofit Cloud Consultant
- Sales Cloud Consultant
- Service Cloud Consultant
(1)
Except for the Einstein Analytics and Discovery Consultant, all certifications have the base-level Administrator as a prerequisite. For the Field Service Lightning Consultant, there’s the Service Cloud Consultant on top of the Administrator. (1)
Aside from Salesforce skills, the Consultant also needs to have good leadership communication and decision-making skills. After all, they’ll be talking to people a lot.
Developer
The Developer is responsible for the most technical part of the Salesforce system: creating and testing the codes that’ll make up the solution. This category has four related certifications:
- B2C Commerce Developer
- JavaScript Developer I
- Platform Developer I
- Platform Developer II
Developer certifications don’t need prior other certifications, save for Platform Developer II (requires Platform Developer I). (1)
Marketer
For its widespread use, the Salesforce platform doesn’t come cheap; the monthly subscription for up to ten users starts at USD$25. Businesses can find themselves wondering if they’ll get more bang for their buck. That’s where the Marketer comes in, making sense of the client’s objectives and crafting the right Salesforce package.
There are six certifications for Marketers:
- Marketing Cloud Administrator
- Marketing Cloud Consultant
- Marketing Cloud Developer
- Marketing Cloud Email Specialist
- Pardot Consultant
- Pardot Specialist
(1)
If you’re looking to be certified for marketing cloud roles, the best way to start is to be a certified Marketing Cloud Email Specialist. Also, to be a Pardot Consultant, you’ll have to be certified as a Pardot Specialist first. (1)
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of routes to take just to be certified in one aspect of Salesforce. Fortunately, it only takes one to be a cut above other professionals. The more certifications you have, the more leverage you can command.
Sources:
- “SALESFORCE MADE SIMPLE,” https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en_us/www/documents/datasheets/certification-guide.pdf
- “Salesforce Certified Administrator,” https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/help?article=Salesforce-Certified-Administrator-Exam-Guide#outline
- “Salesforce Architect,” https://trailhead.salesforce.com/credentials/architectoverview
- “Is Salesforce Overpriced?” https://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2021/07/05/is-salesforce-overpriced/?sh=2b4dac9130f0
- “Salesforce Made Simple”, Source: https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en_us/www/documents/datasheets/certification-guide.pdf
- “Salesforce Architect”, Source: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/credentials/architectoverview
- “Salesforce Certified Administrator”, Source: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/help?article=Salesforce-Certified-Administrator-Exam-Guide#outline
- “Is Salesforce Overpriced?”, Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2021/07/05/is-salesforce-overpriced/?sh=2b4dac9130f0
