Salesforce Admin VS Developer - Which one to Choose?

Introduction

Salesforce Admin vs Salesforce developer in which aspects do these roles differ? Are the responsibilities pertaining to these roles same? How to set them apart or in which ways they are similar? Well, Salesforce being one of the best and most widely used CRM platforms lately, all the roles related to it are prolific and rewarding. However, when it comes to differentiating the two roles, there is a very fine line between the roles and responsibilities of a real Salesforce Administrator and Developer.

To help you understand the difference between both the positions, let’s begin with the basics: what is Salesforce, why is it so popular and what are the different roles and responsibilities under it?

Salesforce is a CRM that works as a bridge between a company and the customer. It is considered to be one of the best-integrated platforms as it allows your departments (marketing, content, SEO, Sales, etc) to get a shared view of every customer.

Here are some important facts related to Salesforce that you should go through before we start anything:

• Salesforce command about 20% of the CRM market share
• More than 88% of the Fortune 100 companies are using at least one Salesforce application. Along with them, approx. 71% of customers use various apps from AppExchange.
• According to an IDC report, Salesforce and its partner ecosystem are expected to create 3.3 million new jobs by 2026.

Along with that, one of the reasons that Salesforce is popular is that it is packed with some unique features (content management, workflow creation, opportunity tracking, customer engagement tool, analytics, and much more) for market and salespersons.

There are multiple job positions under Salesforce that you can opt for as your career option:

• Salesforce Administrator
• Salesforce Business analyst
• Salesforce Developer
• Salesforce functional consultant
• Salesforce platform manager
• Salesforce solution architect
• Salesforce technical architect

These were some basic things you should know about Salesforce if you are interested in any of the above positions. Here, in this article, you will get to know about the difference between roles and responsibilities, salary packages, skills required, and much more about Salesforce Administrator and Salesforce Developer.  

To get a clear picture of both the positions, Let's start with the definition of Salesforce Administrator and Developer!

Who is a Salesforce Administrator?

Salesforce Administrator is considered to be one of the best positions among all. It is because the roles and responsibilities performed by a Salesforce Administrator help the organization to manage the Salesforce systems efficiently. They do this by recommending the best solution, maintaining sales databases, and also help the organization to accommodate well with Salesforce products.

The demand for a Salesforce Administrator depends on the size of the organization. So, if you are interested in the role of an Administrator then the article will further help you know about the roles and responsibilities, salary package, certifications, jobs, and companies' availability. 

What does Salesforce Admin do?

Various roles and responsibilities of Salesforce Admin are:

• Analyzing business requirements and providing the best solutions
• Help in up-gradation of Salesforce system
• Constant and effective integration and configuration 
• Managing Salesforce roles, profiles, workflow, etc
• Preparing reports for the teams
• Importing sales department leads, contacts, and other data

Who is a Salesforce Developer?

Salesforce Developer, the name has it all, which means it includes the development side. Being a Salesforce developer, you will be engaged with designing and developing specified codes and functionalities to deliver adequate customized applications. 

Salesforce developer brings new implementing plans to enable successful Salesforce services for business improvements.

You can’t judge any of the positions based on their roles & responsibilities as they both are experts in dealing with Salesforce applications. Both the positions are highly payable (approx. USD 5 to USD 12/per hour depending on your work experience) Salesforce professions, you can opt for any that you wish for.

What does a Salesforce Developer do?

Various roles and responsibilities of Salesforce Developer are:

• Meeting project managers to determine CRM requirements
• Designing coding, and implementing Salesforce applications
• Creating timeline and development goals for the application
• Testing the stability and functionality of the application, whether it is working fine or not
• APEX development
• Debugging
• Reviewing custom-developed codes

Let’s go through Salesforce admin VS Developer based on various factors:

Salesforce Admin VS Salesforce Developer Certification Details

To become a Salesforce admin or Salesforce developer you should gain some certifications as discussed:

What are the shared responsibilities of Salesforce Admin and Developer?

Despite being slightly different, Salesforce Administrator and Salesforce developer do share some common responsibilities such as:

• A salesforce Administrator helps you manage ongoing system development by communicating with various stakeholders/customers/clients regarding new developments, support, and much more. 
• Being superior, salesforce admin supports Salesforce Developers and clients so that they can complete their work on time. 
• The bug fixing process helps in delivering the best product to clients. This is a great opportunity to involve the Salesforce admin in the process.

As they could help you test the usability and provide you feedback related to the project. Nowadays, more and more admins are coding and are taking on some of the responsibilities that would otherwise be left to a Salesforce developer. 

How to prepare for Salesforce Administration and Salesforce Developer Certification?

You can prepare for Salesforce Administration and Salesforce Developer in multiple ways such as:

• Know exam details  - To pass the Salesforce Administration and Salesforce Developer Certification Exam, you need to have a broad knowledge of customizing Salesforce, configuring the platform, managing users, and looking for various ways to get even more out of its features and capabilities. The exam guide is your best resource to understand the format of the exam including the total number of questions in the exam, how much time is required to complete the exam, what topics are covered, how much they are weighted, what resource you should prefer to study and much more.
• Schedule your certification exam - It may seem strange to schedule your exam before you've started studying, but this is a great way to keep yourself motivated and working towards your goal of passing the certification exam. Scheduling a set date for your exam will help you prioritize your studying and keep yourself focused.
• Find some company to study with - Nothing helps more when studying for an exam than having friends or classmates to join you on the journey.
• Complete the administration/developer certification trail - Try to complete the administration/developer certification trail before the exam to get good speed, accuracy and help you stay focused. With the use of trial certification, you can get to know the percentage of each subject area covered on the test. This helps you understand and focus more on the subjects that cover the area with the highest percentage and less time to focus on the area with the lowest percentage
• Solve maximum sample papers for better outcomes - The most important thing to do during the certification exam is to go through the questions carefully. Solving Questions will help you increase your speed because exam duration is limited and you should learn to use time wisely. 

How can you schedule for the Salesforce Admin and Developer Certification Exam?

You can easily schedule for Salesforce Admin and Developer Certification by following the below-mentioned steps thoroughly:

Salesforce Admin Certification Registration Process:

• Log in to www.webassessor.com/salesforce
• Create your profile, if you don’t have one
• Choose exam mode (Online/Offline)
• In case of offline, Choose your test center
• In case of online, ensure you have all the system requirements
• Select your preferred Date and Time
• Read the policy and agreement details and review the details you have entered twice before submitting
• Proceed with payment gateway
• Click on submit and your registration is done

NOTE: You will receive a confirmation email for the same and you are good to go.

Conclusion

Salesforce Admin and Salesforce Developer are two different positions that have their very own roles and responsibilities, certifications, skills. Some of you may get confused with both of the positions but we hope now you have got a clear vision. However, the career path of any role depends on your skill-set and interests. The number of job openings for both positions is enhancing year by year.

Getting into the Salesforce job profession as a Salesforce administrator or developer is easy, yet, it is necessary to develop an immense Salesforce career path. However, a Salesforce Administrator can learn developing and can change their course towards the development side. It is because they have already worked as admin, and know all the roles and responsibilities held by them.

Apart from this, Salesforce administrator and Salesforce developer roles in the Salesforce job market are trendy. Also, a Salesforce Developer would usually build functionality comprising Apex or Visualforce in a Sandbox before handing it over to the Administrator to schedule deployment.

You can choose any of them as your career path as they both offer a good salary package and are considered as good career options to secure your future. 

Just choose the best as per your interest! In case, you still face any difficulty in choosing a suitable position then you can talk to professional counselors who can help you give the best career advice and help you choose the best for yourself.

FAQs

Q1. What are the career opportunities for Salesforce Admins?

Salesforce Administrators have a variety of career paths available to them, including:

• Salesforce Administrator: Responsible for managing Salesforce instances, which involves user administration, data maintenance, and security oversight.
• Business Analyst: Utilize Salesforce data to make informed business decisions and provide actionable insights. 
• Salesforce Consultant: Guide organizations in optimizing their use of Salesforce to meet specific business requirements and objectives.
• Salesforce Project Manager: Lead Salesforce development and implementation projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Sales Operations Manager: Use Salesforce to improve sales processes, develop strategies, and streamline operations.

Q2. What are the career opportunities for Salesforce Developers?

Salesforce Developers have several career opportunities to explore, including:

• Salesforce Developer: Create custom solutions within the Salesforce platform to address business needs and project requirements.
• Salesforce Architect: Design scalable, secure, and high-performing Salesforce solutions.
• Salesforce Technical Lead: Lead development teams and oversee the technical aspects of Salesforce projects.
• Salesforce Consultant: Offer technical expertise and solutions tailored to clients' specific Salesforce needs.
• Application Developer: Develop applications using Salesforce's development tools and platforms, such as Force.com.

Q3. How do I choose the right Salesforce role for me?

To select the most suitable Salesforce role, consider your interests, skills, and career aspirations. If you like problem-solving, analyzing business processes, and engaging with users, the Salesforce Admin role might be perfect for you. However, if you have a strong technical background and enjoy coding and developing solutions, the Salesforce Developer role could be more fitting.

Q4. How can I secure a job as a Salesforce Admin?

• Educational Background: Begin by earning academic qualifications in IT, Business, or related fields.
• Salesforce Certification: Obtain the Salesforce Administrator certification to demonstrate your expertise.
• Build Experience: Acquire experience through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions involving CRM systems.
• Networking: Connect with industry professionals via Salesforce events, user groups, and online communities.
• Job Applications: Search for Salesforce Admin job openings on job boards and company websites, and submit customized resumes and cover letters.

Q5. How can I secure a job as a Salesforce Developer?

• Acquire Technical Skills: Learn programming languages such as Apex and Visualforce, and familiarize yourself with Salesforce development tools and best practices.
• Obtain Certification: Pursue Salesforce Developer certifications to boost your credibility.
• Build a Portfolio: Create sample projects or contribute to open-source initiatives to demonstrate your skills.
• Networking: Connect with the Salesforce developer community through forums, social media, and events to gain insights and meet potential employers.
• Apply Strategically: Look for job opportunities that align with your skills and experience, and prepare for interviews by highlighting your technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities.