What Is a Salesforce Administrator: The Definitive Guide

Salesforce is one of the most popular CRM software on the market. It’s no wonder why so many people are interested in becoming Salesforce Administrators. But what is a Salesforce administrator?

What is a Salesforce Administrator?

A Salesforce administrator is responsible for managing and configuring the Salesforce software for their company. It includes setting up user accounts, creating custom fields, building reports, and dashboards, etc.

Essentially, they are the ones who make sure that the Salesforce software is being used optimally within their company and that all users have what they need to do their jobs effectively.

What Does a Salesforce Administrator Do?

Everyday activities as a Salesforce administrator will differ depending on the size of a business and the amount of customization of the Salesforce software.

However, there are some everyday tasks that most administrators regularly perform, such as:

Provide Support to Users

This includes answering questions, troubleshooting issues, and providing training as needed.

Manage User Accounts

This involves creating new user accounts, deactivating old ones, and resetting passwords.

Build Reports and Dashboards

Administrators use Salesforce’s reporting features to create custom reports and dashboards that help their company track its progress and performance.

Create Custom Fields

When the default Salesforce fields aren’t enough, administrators can create custom fields to capture the data their company needs.

Configure Workflow Rules

Workflow rules automate specific tasks in Salesforce, such as sending an email when a record is created or updating a field when a record is changed.

Perform Data Imports and Exports

Administrators often need to import data from other sources or export data from Salesforce for analysis. These are just some of the common tasks that a Salesforce administrator might perform on any day. But the exact nature of their work will vary depending on the size and needs of their company.

How to Become a Salesforce Administrator?

The Salesforce Certified Administrator program is designed to validate your skills and knowledge in administering the Salesforce software.

To become certified, you must pass the multiple-choice exam. It comprises 60 MCQ questions, which you will have to complete in 105 minutes.

You can register for the exam through the Salesforce website. Salesforce administrator certification costs $200 plus tax, which must be paid in advance. Once you’ve registered and paid for the exam, you’ll need to schedule a time and date to take it.

The exam covers a wide range of topics, including:

• User management
• Security and access
• Data management
• Customization
• Analytics
• App administration
• System administration

Types of Salesforce Administrator Certifications

There are five types of Salesforce administrator training certifications:

Standard Administrator Certification

This is for administrators who have experience working with the Salesforce software professionally.

Advanced Administrator Certification

This certification is for IT professionals with expert-level knowledge of Salesforce and the ability to complete all administrative activities.

CPQ Specialist

This is for administrators who have experience configuring and managing Salesforce CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote).

Marketing Cloud Administrator

It is better suited for those who have experience working with the Marketing Cloud, including data management, automation, and customization.

Platform App Builder

This is for those who have prior knowledge of developing custom applications on the Salesforce platform.

Salesforce Administrator Practice Test

If you want to get an idea about the Salesforce administrator certification exam, you can take the free Salesforce administrator practice test. This practice test has 30 multiple-choice questions and covers a range of topics likely to be on the actual exam.

Salesforce Administrator Salary & Career Opportunities

Salesforce administrators earn an annual income of $85,000 on average. Salesforce administrators can find employment in a variety of industries, including:

• Technology
• Consulting
• Financial services
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Telecommunications

Why Become a Salesforce Administrator?

If you’re considering becoming a Salesforce administrator, there are many reasons why it can be a great career choice.

• Demand for administrators is high.
• There’s room for growth and advancement.
• You can work in any industry.
• It’s a well-paid position.
• You don’t need a college degree.

The job market for Salesforce administrators is proliferating. The demand for Salesforce skills is expected to outpace the supply of qualified candidates in the next few years. This presents an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in this field.