How To Become A Salesforce Developer In 2024? [Beginner’s Guide]
By Ankita Tripathy
30 December, 2023
Business
Last Updated on: October 17th, 2024
Are you interested in becoming a Salesforce developer in 2024? If yes, then you are in the right place. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about this exciting and rewarding career path.
As a Salesforce developer, you will create, modify, and enhance these applications using the tools and languages provided by Salesforce. These tools can be many, such as Visualforce and Lightning. You will also work with other developers, administrators, Salesforce consultants, and stakeholders to deliver the best client solutions.
If you want to be a good Salesforce developer, I have you covered! So, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
Salesforce Developer 101: Everything You Need To Know In 2024!
Salesforce is the world’s leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform, similar to Hubspot. Over 150,000 companies across various industries use it for their organizational and business purposes. This platform helps businesses connect innovatively with their customers, partners, and employees. For this purpose, they use cloud-based applications for sales, service, marketing, analytics, and more.
An expert who designs, develops, and improves apps for the Salesforce platform is known as a Salesforce developer. They collaborate with other developers, administrators, and stakeholders to provide the finest customer solutions.
Skills including coding, development, integration, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, learning, flexibility, and self-motivation are all necessary for a Salesforce developer.
Roles and Responsibilities Of A Salesforce Developer
The roles and responsibilities of a Salesforce developer are many. However, none of them are difficult or impossible.
Here are some of the responsibilities that the organization might want you to fulfill as a developer:
1. Understanding The Client’s Requirements And Expectations
A Salesforce developer needs to communicate with the client and understand their business processes, challenges, objectives, and expectations from Salesforce. They also need to analyze the existing Salesforce applications and identify the areas where they can be improved or customized.
2. Developing And Testing The Applications
A Salesforce developer must create applications using Salesforce technologies and languages, as I have mentioned above. Furthermore, they must also test the applications in accordance with the demands and specifications of the client.
In addition, they have to guarantee the apps’ functionality and quality. They should be able to do so by adhering to security requirements, best practices, and coding standards.
3. Deploying And Maintaining The Applications
A Salesforce developer must deploy and maintain the applications on the Salesforce platform. For this, they can be using tools and methods such as Salesforce DX, Change Sets, Metadata API, and more. They must also monitor and troubleshoot the applications and provide support and updates as needed.
Benefits Of Being
Being a developer for any organization comes with a lot of benefits. And if it is one of the major companies in the world, then the perks get even better!
Being a Salesforce developer has many benefits. Some of them are as follows:
1. High Demand And Growth
Salesforce is one of the fastest-growing software markets in the world, with a projected revenue of $35.8 billion by 2024. As more and more businesses adopt Salesforce, the demand for skilled and certified Salesforce developers will also increase. According to Indeed, the average number of job postings for Salesforce developers in the USA increased by 48% from 2020 to 2023.
2. Attractive Salary And Compensation
Salesforce developers are well-paid for their expertise and experience. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Salesforce developer in the USA is $97,344 annually. You can earn even more depending on your certification, skills, and location. You may also receive additional benefits such as bonuses, commissions, stock options, and health insurance.
3. Flexible And Diverse Work Environment
Salesforce developers can work in different settings and industries, such as consulting firms, IT companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, etc. You can also choose to work remotely, on-site, or as a freelancer, depending on your preference and availability.
You will also have the opportunity to work with different clients and projects. This will keep your work interesting and challenging.
4. Continuous Learning And Development
Salesforce is constantly evolving and adding new features and functionalities to its platform. As a Salesforce developer, you will need to keep up with the latest trends and best practices and update your skills and knowledge accordingly.
You will also have access to various resources and communities, such as Trailhead, Salesforce Developer Community, Salesforce User Groups, and more, where you can learn new things, network with other professionals, and share your insights and experiences.
How To Become A Salesforce Developer?
Now that you are aware of the benefits of being a Salesforce developer, you might be wondering how to become one! Well, I have your back in that case as well.
If you are interested in becoming a Salesforce developer in 2024, here are some steps that you can follow:
1. Learn The Basics Of Salesforce
Before you can start developing, you need to have a solid understanding of the core concepts and features of Salesforce, such as objects, fields, relationships, workflows, reports, dashboards, security, and more.
You can use Trailhead, the free online learning platform from Salesforce, to learn the basics and earn badges and points. You can also take online courses, read blogs and books, watch videos, and attend webinars and events to learn more about Salesforce.
2. Get Certified By Salesforce
Being certified by Salesforce is one of the best ways to validate your skills and knowledge and stand out. Salesforce offers various certifications for different roles and levels, such as Administrator, Developer, Consultant, Architect, and more.
You can choose the certification that matches your interests and career goals and prepare for the exam using the official study guides, practice tests, and other resources. You can also use Salesforce certification verification to check the validity and status of your certification.
3. Gain Hands-On Experience
Nothing beats hands-on experience when it comes to learning and mastering Salesforce. You can gain experience by working on real or simulated projects on your own or with a team.
Apart from that, you can also volunteer for non-profit organizations or small businesses that need help with Salesforce or join online platforms such as Upwork or Freelancer, where you can find freelance projects and clients.
You can also participate in hackathons, challenges, and competitions, where you can showcase your skills and creativity and win prizes and recognition.
4. Build Your Portfolio And Resume
A portfolio and resume showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements are essential for landing your dream job as a Salesforce developer.
You can use online tools such as LinkedIn, GitHub, or Behance to create and share your portfolio and resume and highlight your projects, certifications, awards, and testimonials.
You can also use social media, blogs, podcasts, or YouTube to share your insights and opinions on Salesforce and build your personal brand and reputation.
5. Network And Apply For Jobs
The last step is to network and apply for jobs that match your profile and preferences. You can use online platforms such as Indeed, Glassdoor, or Monster to search and apply for Salesforce developer jobs in the USA or abroad.
Additionally, you can also use your network of contacts, such as friends, family, colleagues, mentors, or alumni, to get referrals and recommendations. You can also join and attend Salesforce events, meetups, and conferences to meet and interact with potential employers, partners, and clients.
Skills Needed to be a Salesforce Developer!
You cannot just go for the interview and expect that you will get a job, right? And EVEN IF you really get one, you won’t be able to sustain it if you do not have the skills required to be successful in this area.
To become a Salesforce developer, you need to have a combination of technical, business, and soft skills, such as:
1. Technical Skills
A Salesforce developer must have strong knowledge and proficiency in Salesforce products, features, and functionalities, such as objects, fields, relationships, workflows, reports, dashboards, security, etc.
They also need to have coding, development, integration, and administration skills using the tools and languages provided by Salesforce, such as Apex, Visualforce, Lightning, APIs, and more.
Additionally, they need to have data management, analytics, and testing skills, using tools and methods such as Data Loader, Einstein Analytics, Salesforce DX, and more.
2. Business Skills
A Salesforce developer needs to understand the client’s business processes, challenges, objectives, and expectations and how Salesforce can help them achieve their goals. They also need to have skills in project management, solution design, documentation, and presentation, using tools and methods such as Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and more.
3. Soft Skills
A Salesforce developer must have excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, as they must interact with various stakeholders, such as clients, users, developers, administrators, and more.
They also need to have critical thinking, creativity, and innovation skills, as they need to develop the best solutions that meet the client’s needs and expectations.
Furthermore, they need to have skills in learning, adaptability, and self-motivation, as they need to keep up with the latest trends and best practices in Salesforce and update their skills and knowledge accordingly.
Wrapping It Up!
Becoming a Salesforce developer in 2024 is a great career choice for anyone who is passionate about Salesforce and creating amazing applications. It offers many benefits, such as high demand and growth, attractive salary and compensation, a flexible and diverse work environment, and continuous learning and development.
To become a Salesforce developer, you must learn the basics of Salesforce, get certified by Salesforce, gain hands-on experience, build your portfolio and resume, and network and apply for jobs. If you follow these steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful and sought-after Salesforce developer in 2024!
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