What is a Salesforce developer and what do they do? In this article, we help you or your team of developers become the backbone of any successful Salesforce implementation. Get the technical depth to customize Salesforce to your organization’s or client’s specific needs.
So, given this broad spectrum of the Salesforce ecosystem, how does one become a leading Salesforce Developer? Let us explore the path.
Salesforce Developer creates customized solutions based on the business requirements and thus expands the capabilities of Salesforce. Where Salesforce Administrators focus more on managing the configuration of the platform daily, while Salesforce Developer responsibilities include software engineer aspects, designing custom applications automating processes using code, and integrating Salesforce with other systems.
A Salesforce Developer is thus a pivotal part to helping companies grow and innovate on the Salesforce platform. Developers pen down custom code and work with advanced development tools to help companies utilize the full potential of Salesforce and cater to their evolving needs over time.
A junior Salesforce Developer may start with custom report and dashboard development or simple automation with workflow rules. Further, the complex custom application development on Apex, integration of various Salesforce systems with other enterprise systems, and scalability for global organizations come into the picture.
The demands for a good Salesforce Developer are that the technical skills be adeptly applied. Here is a subset of essential capabilities you should develop to become a salesforce developer:
Apex is the proprietary programming language of Salesforce. Hence, one will be expected to know it and the Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL), as well as the Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL), to develop custom applications and automation on the Salesforce platform developer side.
Apex is crucial for automating business processes that transcend the capacity of declarative tools. For instance, you can employ Apex to build custom email services or automate repetitive operations that require updates to records according to advanced business logic.
Custom user interfaces and apps will be developed using Visualforce and Lightning Web Components (LWC) to build an even more wonderful Salesforce experience for its users.
You must have a deep knowledge of Salesforce objects, fields, and their relationships as it is required to build efficient and scalable data models.
The ability to integrate Salesforce with external systems, by using APIs and web services will enable you to create seamless workflows across platforms.
As a Salesforce and Software Developer, you would be responsible for problem-solving which business stakeholders want to resolve through code and configurations. Therefore, you would need analytical skills, communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Becoming a top Salesforce Developer requires a blend of solid fundamentals, hands-on experience, and advanced training. By mastering key skills and earning certifications, you can build scalable solutions and advance your career in this dynamic field.
Ready to take the next step? Here’s how to get started.
Before going to high-level development you need a good ground. You need to learn the basic functionality of Salesforce which includes basic configurations, data management, and reporting.
The best way to learn is through experience. Seek ways of working with Salesforce admin and on live Salesforce projects in your organization or volunteering. This will give you more practical applications of your skills and allow you to build a portfolio out of your work.
Now, with a good solid foundation, it is time to get more equipped using advanced training. Cloudwise Learning is the only authorized Salesforce training partner in North America; they offer a suite of courses to master the tougher Salesforce development disciplines.
Studying an advanced course on Apex, Visualforce, or Lightning Components will give you the tools to undertake more complex projects and challenges.
Salesforce certifications verify one’s skills as a salesforce administrator and make one stand out in the marketplace. For developers, certifications like the Salesforce Platform Developer I and Salesforce Platform Developer II prove your worth to master the development of Salesforce.
There are numerous ways to continue growing your salesforce skills, as a Salesforce Developer. Here are most of it:
This free, self-paced platform offers interactive lessons on various software development topics, from Apex coding to Lightning Components.
Trailhead has specialized modules such as ‘Apex Specialist’ or ‘Advanced Apex Techniques’ that allow developers to go more in-depth and understand the coding best practices and how enterprise-level applications are developed.
For a more structured learning environment, you can pay for courses. Cloudwise Learning offers instructor-led courses in cloud hands-on experience with supplemental instructor support.
Cloudwise Learning classes provide all-directional guidance throughout learning Salesforce mastery skills, consisting of lectures combined with projects you can begin to apply as soon as new concepts are introduced. Such courses are prepared in a way that would make you build advanced projects to test real-world conditions.
Once you’ve completed your foundational training, earning advanced certifications such as the Salesforce Platform Developer II or Salesforce Certified Technical Architect can help you further distinguish yourself.
Join the large community across Salesforce and software developers through the use of forums and user groups and attending events like Dreamforce; they’re a huge resource for knowing what’s happening today and knowing who else is out there.
To truly excel as a Salesforce Developer, you’ll need to master some advanced concepts:
Learn best practices for keeping your code efficient and scalable, such as bulkification, testing, and governor limits. Bulkification ensures you handle large amounts of records in the most efficient way possible as you write your Apex without hitting any of the limits of the Salesforce governor.
Take, for example, if you need to read data from multiple records; you iterate over a collection of records and process them in one DML statement instead of making multiple DML calls for each record.
LWC is the future of Salesforce development. LWC gives developers a modern, high-performance framework for building custom user interfaces.
Learn how to design and implement scalable integrations with external systems using APIs and integration tools.
As a Salesforce Developer, you would be responsible for developing solutions that could scale with the business. To do this effectively, you must be aware of Salesforce architecture and learn to design scalable applications that are efficient and maintainable.
Investing in advanced Salesforce training offers numerous benefits, including:
If you’re ready to level up your Salesforce skills, the DEX450: Build Applications Programmatically on the Salesforce Platform training course is the next step in your journey. If you’re a developer looking to deepen your understanding of Apex programming or an administrator aiming to expand your technical capabilities, this course will equip you with the tools to build custom applications that transform the way your organization operates.
What you’ll get:
Unlock new career opportunities and develop apps that drive results— enroll now and start programming on the Salesforce platform like a pro.
The career path for Salesforce Developers offers numerous opportunities for growth and specialization. Some potential career paths include:
This role involves designing complex Salesforce solutions and overseeing their implementation. As a Salesforce Technical Architect, you might be entrusted with tasks that are somewhat more complex, such as designing enterprise-wide solutions, ensuring the integration of Salesforce with ERP systems, or maintaining compliance with industry regulations like GDPR.
As you gain experience, you will be able to lead developer teams and run larger projects. Advanced developers are entrusted with critical projects that include complex integrations, scalable application design, and innovative customizations.
Some of the Salesforce Developers want to be consultants so that they can help different kinds of clients and industries.
Certain industries, such as finance and healthcare, have a high demand for Salesforce Developers. Specializing in one of these fields can help you further advance your career.
To become a superior Salesforce Developer, one needs dedication, continuing education, and a deep understanding of both the foundational concepts as well as how to advance them. Investment into more advanced training, along with actual hands-on experience, can help to advance your career to working on more complex projects for organizations to leverage the power of Salesforce.
Instructor-led programs at Cloudwise Learning offer comprehensive courses to become highly skilled Salesforce Developers, providing training and certifications for increased success in today’s business environment.
Bill is a senior-level business executive with a unique blend of sales, engineering, and leadership experience. He has achieved triple-digit revenue growth in short time spans for Fortune 500 companies, connecting customers with exceptional solutions of products and services. He is responsible for all business growth and expansion. His responsibilities include managing direct and partner sales, crafting marketing strategies, brand development, lead generation, revenue, margin, and sales enablement.
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