What is the REAL Cost of Implementing Salesforce?

Cost of Implementing Salesforce

Salesforce implementation is a valuable investment for your organization to boost sales, service, and marketing. It is reported that it can potentially boost revenue by up to 37%  and enhance customer relations within an organization. 

The cost of implementation becomes an essential concern that significantly influences your choice when you decide to start looking into such CRM systems. At present, the price of implementing Salesforce can vary from $10,000 for simple projects to more than $150,000 for extensive ones with elaborate integrations and regular customization. 

When making decisions, keep this in mind: trying a DIY adoption without first consulting experts can result in higher prices because of potential glitches rather than cutting your costs and easing operations. 

So, Salesforce consultants can assist new users in outsourcing CRM implementation, calculating true costs, recommending the right cloud and edition, and estimating the total Salesforce license cost. Additionally, CRM consultants estimate how much you will spend on purchasing, deploying, tweaking, and further supporting your solution.  

Let us reveal the average costs of each Salesforce implementation phase and inform Salesforce QuickStart Packages types and their pricing.

Table of Contents:

  • Key Factors That Influence Salesforce Implementation Cost
  • The Salesforce CRM Pricing Model: Salesforce License Cost
  • Salesforce Implementation Consultant Costs for Salesforce Project Budgeting
  • Salesforce Implementation QuickStart Packages
  • Get Affordable Salesforce Services at Cloudstreet

Key Factors That Influence Salesforce Implementation Cost

Before we discuss the actual Salesforce CRM implementation cost, let us know the key factors that influence the costs.

  • Number of users
  • Salesforce Pricing
  • Data Migration
  • Consulting Fees
  • User Training

Note: Additionally, CRM customization, post-launch support, and integration with third-party systems can also result in a rise in pricing.

The Salesforce CRM Pricing Model: Salesforce License Cost

The cost of implementing a Salesforce implementation might vary depending on different licensing options, such as direct purchase from Salesforce, subscription via a Salesforce partner, or combining Salesforce and an AppExchange app.

You can choose to buy directly from Salesforce. Salesforce offers primary Cloud products like Service Cloud for customer support, Sales Cloud for sales automation and reporting, and Marketing Cloud for digital marketing efforts.

Furthermore, Einstein Analytics, Marketing Cloud Account Engagement, Salesforce CRM Analytics, CPQ & Billing, and third-party apps available on AppExchange are some of the other advancements.

Salesforce Sales Cloud Pricing

For sales teams, Salesforce Sales Cloud provides four editions at monthly prices; licenses are payable annually.

Edition Price (per user/month) Features
Essentials Edition $25 Basic CRM functionality

Lead, contact, and sales management

Standard account management

Gmail and Outlook integration

Mobile app

Professional Edition $80 Suited for mid-sized businesses

Lead registration

Rules-based scoring

Sales forecasting

Enterprise Edition $165 Advanced sales automation

Workflow and approval processes

Suitable for mid to large organizations

Unlimited Edition $330 Extensive sales automation features

Includes features from other editions

24/7 support & configuration services

Note: Additionally, Sales Cloud Einstein, Salesforce CPQ & Billing, Sales Engagement, and Pardot can all be integrated with Sales Cloud.

Salesforce Service Cloud Pricing

Service Cloud, like Sales Cloud, offers four yearly-billed editions for service agents:

Edition Price Features
Salesforce Essentials $25/user/month Basic features for small customer service teams

Multi-channel case management

Telephony integration

Service Console app access

Salesforce Professional $80/user/month Extends Essentials with service contracts

Entitlements

Order management features

Salesforce Enterprise $165/user/month Advanced customer service automation

Enhanced reporting AI tools

Web API

Salesforce Unlimited $330/user/month Comprehensive feature set

24/7 Salesforce support, configuration services

Online training

Note: Salesforce Clouds like Digital Engagement, Field Service, and Service Cloud Einstein can all be integrated with Service Cloud.

Sales & Service Cloud Pricing

Again, there are four editions of the Sales and Service Clouds to choose from if one wishes to uplift both sales and customer service.

Edition Price Features
Salesforce Essentials $25/user/month Basic edition for small sales and customer service teams (max. 10 members)
Salesforce Professional $100/user/month Advanced features:

Asset management and team collaboration (suitable for any user count)

Salesforce Enterprise $175/user/month Customizable solution ideal for –

  • mid-sized and large companies
  • unlimited roles
  • offline CRM access
  • automation tools
Salesforce Unlimited $325/user/month Comprehensive features for –

  • Service and sales reps
  • Unlimited Salesforce support
  • Extensive online training

Note: Salesforce Sales & Service is bundled with the Professional edition and beyond, which costs an extra $25 per user.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing

Marketing Cloud offers four suites for email marketing, social media, advertising, and B2B marketing automation, starting at $400/month. You can choose the right pricing, add-ons, and support services for your business. 

Suite 1 

The marketing automation products that are tailored to meet the specific needs of your business:

Product Starting Price Features
Marketing Cloud Engagement $1,250/Org/Month – Email Marketing – Content Creation – Robust Analytics
Marketing Cloud Account Engagement $1,250/USD/Month – Lead Nurturing and Scoring – Engagement History Dashboards – Campaign Reporting and Insights
Marketing Cloud Personalisation $108,000/Org/Year – Web and Email Personalisation – Segmentation, Rule-Based Decisioning, A/B/N Testing and Reporting – Product and Content Recommendations

Note: Each product has editions to fit your organizational needs. 

Suite 2

Discover the optimal data, personalization, and analytics products to meet your business requirements.

Product Price Features
Data Cloud for Marketing $108,000/Org/Year** Data Ingestion and Harmonization 

Identity Resolution and Activation 

Insights and Predictions

Marketing Cloud Personalization Starting at $108,000/Org/Year* Web and Email Personalization 

Segmentation, Rule-Based Decisioning, A/B/N Testing and Reporting 

Product and Content Recommendations

Marketing Cloud Intelligence Starting at $3,000/Org/Month* 10 Users 

3 Million Data Rows

 

Suite 3 

Choose the right customer loyalty solution for your business: 

Product Starting Price Features
Loyalty Management $20,000/Org/Month Member Administration 

Reward Management 

Static Benefit Management 

1 License: Tableau CRM for Loyalty Management Base App 

Program Setup: Single Program

Referral Marketing $12,500/Org/Month 100,000 Brand Advocates 

Unlimited Referral Promotions 

Refer-A-Friend Template 

Referral Sharing Widget 

Voucher Management 

Referral Tracking 

Data Processing Engine, Batch Management, and Decision Tables Included

Suite 4

Select the best Success Plans for your company, making sure that resources and embedded specialists are providing the appropriate amount of assistance and knowledgeable direction.

Success Plan Price Features 
Standard Success Plan Included in all licenses Learn at your own pace with free self-guided resources

Online learning to upskill teams 

Global Trailblazer community

Premier Success Plan 30% of net license fees Access to 24/7 support 

Expert coaching and education 

Tailored assessments 

Bundled with Unlimited Edition

Signature Success Plan Contact your account executive Designated technical account manager 

Proactive monitoring 

Key event management 

Fastest 24/7 support response times

Note: The estimated Salesforce pricing for small and medium-sized businesses is determined by analyzing the average hourly rates of Salesforce implementation consultants and developers, the time required for implementation activities, and the complexity of the Salesforce project.

Salesforce Implementation Consultant Costs for Salesforce Project Budgeting

In the course of discussing Salesforce Implementation Consultant costs for Salesforce Project Budgeting, let’s first talk about the Salesforce Outsourced Consulting services.

Outsourcing is more cost-effective. Both independent contractors and Salesforce consulting partners provide outsourced Salesforce consulting services. They all have different price points and quality ranges.

  • Freelancers bill less per hour than consulting partners.
  • Full-time Salesforce administrator or consultant costs $133,300 to $250,000 per year.
  • Internal teams are only financially viable for ongoing projects.

Many businesses switch to ad hoc assistance after temporary Salesforce administrator setup and onboarding. 

When Choosing Between a Salesforce Consulting Partner & a Freelance Salesforce Consultant

Here is an easily consumable and straightforward tabular arrangement depicting the aspects to remember when choosing between a Salesforce Consulting Partner and a Freelance Salesforce Consultant.

Aspect Salesforce Consulting Partner Freelance Salesforce Consultant
Expertise and Experience Typically, a larger team with varying levels of experience and expertise across different Salesforce products and industries. They may have a narrower focus or less experience compared to consulting partners.
Project Complexity and Scope Capable of handling complex projects requiring extensive customization, integration, or implementation of complex Salesforce solutions. Suitable for smaller, less complex projects with a limited scope.
Service Offerings and Value-added Services Offer a broader range of services, including strategy consulting, training, ongoing support, and optimization services. May offer a more limited set of services, focusing primarily on implementation and customization.
Engagement Model Often, they have structured engagement models and pricing frameworks based on project milestones, resources utilized, and ongoing support requirements. Offer more flexibility in engagement models and pricing arrangements such as hourly rates or fixed project fees.
Risk and Accountability Provide added assurance and accountability with established processes, quality assurance measures, and service level agreements. They may offer individualized attention and flexibility but may have less formalized processes and accountability mechanisms.

The positive aspects of collaborating with agencies as our Salesforce Consulting Partners outweigh those of a Freelance Salesforce Consultant. 

Freelance Salesforce consultants are helpful, too. They provide advice on basic features or small tweaks at a reasonable price, which makes them perfect for projects with a tight budget. On the other hand, a shortage of in-demand freelancers could lead to problems or delays.

So, do not forget these points when making a decision about your organization’s Salesforce implementation requirements.

Salesforce Implementation Consultant Fee Structures Explained 

Let’s have a quick glance at the breakdown of general Salesforce Implementation Consultant fee structures or price models. There are basically three: 

  1. Pay-Per-Hour: This flexible pricing model is commonly utilized by freelance Salesforce consultants for short-term projects lacking deep business or industry-specific insights.
  2. Flat Monthly Fees: Outsourced Salesforce services, including CRM maintenance and project management, often charge a monthly flat fee for predetermined hours. They offer a reduced hourly rate compared to a fixed pricing model.
  3. Fixed Project Cost: Salesforce consulting agencies utilize a fixed project cost system that guarantees a set timeline and cost, preventing unforeseen expenses. 

Factors Influencing Salesforce Consulting Costs

So, what comprises the cost of a Salesforce consultant? This is a question many organizational heads ask when exploring Salesforce Consulting pricing. The easy answer to this question is in the following four points:

  1. Industry Expertise: Specialized consultants have specific knowledge in store. For instance, industries like good hold on Commercial Real Estate and Legal Services lead to higher rates and time savings for clients.
  2. Technical Specialization: Salesforce consultant costs are influenced by their technical skillset, certifications, and training. The specialized consultants might charge more than sales or service cloud implementers!
  3. Experience and Seniority Level: Salesforce consulting rates are influenced by consultant experience, with junior, middle, and senior consultants handling basic tasks, middle-level projects, and intricate projects, respectively.
  4. Location: Salesforce consultant costs vary by location, with agencies like Cloudstreet offering budget-friendly rates. Services can range from $5,000 to $50,000, with freelance platforms like Upwork suggesting rates ranging from $30 to $250/hr.

The Often-Overlooked Salesforce Implementation Charges

There definitely are some hidden costs in addition to the Salesforce license package costs and consulting fees. And those are the Salesforce professional services pricing, such as: 

CRM Customization 

Salesforce is a CRM system that can be tailored to meet the demands of any type of organization. Customization costs differ according to the complications of the procedures and methods employed. Simpler changes can be made more affordably with point-and-click features, but more complex automation calls for a Salesforce developer with experience. Customizations often cost between $10,000 and $75,000, depending on how complicated they are.

User Training and CRM Adoption 

User training is crucial for Salesforce implementation, and its cost depends on the training type and strength of users. The cost can reach up to $10,000 for mid-sized companies with sales, marketing, and customer service roles.

Data Migration 

Data migration is a crucial Salesforce implementation process involving accuracy checks, error cleaning, and mapping to Salesforce.org. The cost ranges between $10,000 and $50,000 depending on company needs.

Salesforce Integration 

Salesforce’s integration capabilities are extensive, but specific cases may require additional integrations. Costs depend on the number of systems, integration methods, and user interface complexity. Integration costs range from $30,000 to $50,000, with tailored estimates recommended by consulting a Salesforce partner.

After-launch Salesforce Support 

Salesforce implementation and training require ongoing support for up to 3 months post-deployment, with support costs ranging from $10,000 to $45,000 per project.

Lastly, any organization stepping into Salesforce implementation must not overlook these costs and ask for customized pricing in accordance with their specific needs and budget.

Salesforce Implementation QuickStart Packages

So, what are those so-called QuickStart Packages? These packages are from suppliers intended for less expensive, quick deployment and calibration of well-known products like Sales or Service Clouds. Salesforce suppliers or vendors charge from approximately $2,500 to $15,000. The implementation process might take anywhere from 10 hours to 12 weeks. The time period depends on the supplier’s location, services, and amount of time.

However, there is a point to remember: Some Salesforce-managed services, such as custom workflows, sales process enablement, complex dashboards, app installations, and system integrations, are usually not included in QuickStart Packages due to their limited scope.

Get Affordable Salesforce Services at Cloudstreet

Cloudstreet, your Salesforce Implementation & Optimization partner, offers experienced Salesforce-certified consultants and developers to transform businesses with ROI in their Salesforce organizations. With no high costs associated with hiring skilled developers, we can revolutionize your business. Schedule a call now!

Common Questions About the Cost of Implementing Salesforce

Q1. Is Salesforce too expensive for small businesses?

Small companies with tight finances look for the greatest service at reasonable costs. Although Salesforce is a clever tool, its price is high; small firms will still have to pay an additional $300 for the Salesforce Essentials plan. It will, therefore, eventually have an effect on your monthly or annual budget.

Q2. How much does it cost to install Salesforce?

The price of installing Salesforce varies according to the selected edition and extra services. The cost of Essentials is $25 per person every month, whereas advanced installations might cost up to $300. Additional expenses for implementation and customization are based on the particular demands of the business.

Q3. Can we calculate the Salesforce Implementation Cost?

You do not require doesn’t require advanced tools or calculators to calculate the cost of implementing Salesforce. One can calculate by keeping in mind the number of users and multiplying it by the selected Salesforce edition’s price.

 

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