Steps For Salesforce Application Development

Published on: 27 January 2020 Last Updated on: 19 March 2024
Salesforce Application Development

As an entrepreneur, your customers are the biggest pillar of your business. No matter your industry of domain, area of specialization, or even your business focus, they are the single most valuable asset to your organization and you should treat them as so.

Through their valuable feedback, your business can gain a new sense of direction, develop new concepts, as well as bring in more revenue. With that said, as a business owner, simply appreciating your customers isn’t enough. You need to truly understand them to tailor your products and services to meet them at their point of need. And that’s where Salesforce application development comes in.

It entails creating integrated customer relationship management solutions that interface businesses with their customers. These CRM platforms also give all the departments in a particular organization a unified view of all the customers and how they interact with various aspects of the business.

In this article, we are going to look at what Salesforce is and its uses. While at it, we are also going to delve deeper to see the entire Salesforce application development lifecycle.

What Is Salesforce?

What Is Salesforce

Simply put, it’s a cloud computing SaaS company that provides customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. Thanks to the company’s cloud technology, businesses are able to better connect with their existing clientele, partners, and potential customers.

Over the years, Salesforce software has grown to become the leading marketing and customer behavior tracking solution for both small startups and Fortune 500 companies. As it turns out, customer relationship management is one of the key driving factors for the increasing demand for application development in Salesforce.

Recent research from Vonage offered a compelling view of the effects and consequences of poor customer service. In the US alone, the research revealed that an estimated $62 billion is lost annually as a result of bad customer experience.

To underwrite this figure, a different report from Huffpost has indicated that 91% of customers won’t hesitate to switch brands once they experience bad customer service. These are mind-blowing figures, especially if a business has no solution to counter the consequences of poor customer experience.

However, with Salesforce in place, businesses are able to overcome the problems caused by poor customer service and other business process variables. According to statistics published on Salesforce’s website, companies that are currently using their software have continued to see average increases in multiple areas. For instance, 34% of users have seen an increase in customer satisfaction, with 27% and 32% users seeing an increase in sales revenues and lead conversion respectively.

In 2018, Salesforce emerged as the biggest CRM software commanding a total of 19.8% market share of the CRM software market. During the same period, the company was voted as the #1 CRM provider by the International Data Corporation. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that companies are willing to pay the highest Salesforce consultant salary just to get wind of this technology.

The Benefits of Using Salesforce

The Benefits Of Using Salesforce

Given the commendable portfolio of Salesforce, here are areas it can help your business find success. Below I am going to discuss the benefits of using Salesforce.

Helps Collect Customer Intel

In the prevailing competitive business environment, overlooking data collection can be a fatal and unforgiving mistake. As a business, collecting and collating customer intelligence should be an obsession or the very least treated as a full-time affair, because it can lead to loss of revenue. As such, if you are to improve customer satisfaction and continue remaining competitive, hiring qualified Salesforce developers to build a high-quality CRM tool is inevitable.

And with Salesforce, you get an upper hand over your competitors by enjoying tools that help you identify, understand, and solve customer problems.

Flexible And Scalable

As companies and business needs continue to evolve, the tools of trade must also adapt. For instance, if the structures of your business start to grow, the management software should be able to seamlessly accommodate the changes. Cognizant of this fact, Salesforce CRM comes with multiple functions that allow for scalability right from the initial stages to any future interactions.

Helps in Account Planning

Account Planning

Having a unified view of customer information allows your teams to independently make plans for various accounts. It also facilitates a more hands-on customer connection approach as well as allows various reps and departments in your organization to modify their plans for optimized results. Salesforce also comes with a to-do items feature, which helps your entire workforce stay organized throughout the day.

Along with that, Salesforce also works as an organizational tool. Your team can create calendar reminders specifying the future customer follow-ups or important duties reminders to the upper management, which helps prevent anything from falling through the cracks.

If you are in the service-based businesses, Salesforce also gives you insights into the amount of time a particular customer/s has stayed in a particular subscription package. Once this info is established, your team is able to customize marketing materials to match a particular customer niche.

Cloud Connectivity

Many companies are now gravitating towards software as a service (SaaS), which means software that is available online. Luckily, Salesforce doesn’t need to be installed on a computer as it is cloud-based. This means that you can easily access it everywhere, interface it with other digitized services, and enjoy unlimited storage capacity. And since no maintenance is required, you get to save on a Salesforce developer salary that would have otherwise been paid for this purpose.

Facilitates Team Collaboration

Team Collaboration

Poor team communication and collaboration can lead to reduced productivity. On top of a unified view of customer data, Salesforce’s “Chatter” feature allows your team members to easily and regularly communicate work-related information. Additionally, the feature also lets you highlight and prioritize urgent issues that require special attention by inviting different team members to look at them.

Salesforce Application Development Lifecycle

Salesforce Application Development Lifecycle

Software developers spend a lot of time designing, developing, securing, and delivering products that perform better than initially envisioned. As a result, different software development approaches like agile development, waterfall model, and many others have merged.

When it comes to cloud-based solutions, the incorporation and implementation of various software development methodologies make it even more complex. Moreover, the Salesforce Development Lifecycle also means that the software is developed, tested, and deployed in a cloud environment.

Below, we have laid down 6 steps that clearly illustrate the entire Salesforce Development Lifecycle:

Business Requirements Analysis

The first step towards a successful custom Salesforce application is to conduct an internal business needs analysis. It entails the development team eliciting the potential customer needs, elaborating them, validating all the assumptions, and devising efficient methodologies to meet these requirements.

Business requirements analysis is important as it helps avert potential mistakes as well as make the final product both efficient and compatible with the existing system and security standards.

UI/UX Design

Another important aspect of Salesforce application development is optimizing the app for user experience. A report by iMPACT indicates that 52% of customers are less likely to conduct business with a brand offering a poor mobile experience. On the other hand, Forbes conservative estimates indicate that intentional and strategic user experience can yield a conversion rate as high as 400%.

If these numbers are anything to go by, designing a user-friendly and highly responsive Salesforce application development is absolutely paramount. In order to optimize an app for effective and enjoyable use, developers need to map out the user journey and creatively choreograph user/platform interactions to benefit the end-user.

Development Phase

The next step in Salesforce application development entails creating developers creating isolated sandboxes. Generally, these distinct sandboxes hold the main production app copy and other supplementary Salesforce configuration information. They are also independent, implying that changes in a single sandbox don’t affect the main Salesforce production enterprise. Individual developers have to clone their branches.

To retrieve the metadata from the sandboxes to the IDE, the developers need to use Force.com IDE. Once they have the metadata, they continue coding their assigned app features, performing initial unit testing, and then submit the finished code to the Git repository.

If a subsequent developer wants to build on top of this freshly updated branch, they need to clone it to their sandbox and continue developing new features. Once done, they also have to submit their latest development to the repository.

With that said, the possibility of multiple developers working on the same branch cant be overlooked. To avoid conflicts, it is important for everyone in the development team to check for possible branch updates before committing.

Testing

The next step after building a Salesforce application is to ensure that it has an excellent and stable performance. This mainly entails developers carrying out QA activities including unit tests and code reviews. It is also at this stage that functional, performance, and integration testing is conducted within the development process.

Lastly, automation tests and debugging are conducted to augment the app’s speedy delivery.

Integration

Integration

During the integration phase, the custom CRM application is interfaced with third-party software like CMS. To facilitate a smooth transition, the development team also conduct hands-on training sessions as well as provides training materials to the client.

Launch

Once the app is launched for internal use, it is transferred to the client and subjected to their User Acceptance Testing environment (UAT). Once satisfied, the finished product is moved to the production environment and deployed to the end-users.

Salesforce Application Development Team Actors

During the app development process, different players are involved and handle different aspects of the app. In the Salesforce app development life cycle, the most common actors include:

  • Product Manager: Help finalize business requirements.
  • Release Manager: Help coordinate the app’s release schedule.
  • Software Developer: Handles the main coding and produces the requisite deliverables.
  • Quality Analyst: Tests and confirms the functionality of various app features.

Potential money from the Salesforce AppExchange development: 

After researching the fact this has been seen that Potential money from the salesforce AppExchange development can depend on several other factors. 

How To Build an App for Salesforce AppExchange?

How To Build an App for Salesforce AppExchange?

To build your AppExchange app, you must go through the multi-step procedure, which includes compliance, release, ongoing support, and demand app development. Below, I will discuss how to create an App for Salesforce AppExchange. 

1st Step: Become the Part of Salesforce Business Partner Community   

The first and foremost step in becoming a Salesforce AppExchange trade Partner is to join the Salesforce Partner Community. In this case, you must submit the form using AppExchange. After all, the Salesforce Partner Community is the hub of existing AppExchange Partners.   

2nd Step: Examine AppExchange Market  

The next step in building the app is to examine the AppExchange market. AppExchange offers many products and solutions for several products and cloud services in Salesforce. In this case, for optimal outcomes, you must use the curated collections of AppExchange.   

3rd Step: Make the First Sketches of Your Product  

Once you are done researching the existing solutions on AppExchange, you must start defining the unique value proposition of your product. For the outline, you must follow the below-mentioned procedure such as:  

  • Firstly, you must understand your target audience.   
  • Secondly, ensure you have an idea of business targets.   
  • Thirdly, you must follow the types of Salesforce editions you will support.  
  • After that, ensure you have an idea of the package type.   
  • Next, ensure you have the Salesforce Licenses that you want to use.   
  • Lastly, it would help if you ensured the requirements for your AppExchange App security.   

4th Step: Define the Type of ISV Partnership and the Type Of Your AppExchange Solution   

Once you have joined the Salesforce Partner Community, then, you must analyze the existing products, and you can create a rough roadmap. In this case, ensure you have defined the type of ISV partnership, and consequently, you also have built the AppExchange solution.  

There are seven types of ISV partners in AppExchange. It includes OEM, CDP Cloud Partner, Commerce Cloud Partner, All Other Clouds (paid), All Other Clouds (free), and Technology Partner/Tableau.   

5th Step: Choose the Programming Type and Tools to Build Your Salesforce App   

Recently, Salesforce provided two types of programming languages and two types of tools that you can use. Let’s know what programming tools are used in Salesforce App development. This includes Apex Cloud-based programming language. Next are Lightning components and Visualforce.   

6th Step: Build Your Salesforce App   

Once you can identify the exact type of solution, it must have the programming language, licensing, and packaging, and of course, you must continue with the building procedure.   

Two ways to do this are using internal sources or outsourcing the dedicated team. If you want to build the SalesForce App using an in-house team, it could be one the most viable and remarkable options. If you don’t have enough resources, ensure you can control the entire product cycle of AppExchange.   

7th Step: Test Your Salesforce App   

If you want to ensure optimal performance, then it must conduct comprehensive end-to-end testing in technological domains. In this case, you must adhere to the development of best business practices, especially for testing.   

8th Step: Prepare Your App for the Launch on AppExchange   

Once you are done testing and finalizing the app, the next step is to prepare by submitting it to the SalesForce AppExchange. In this procedure, it includes creating the managed packages and providing screenshots.  

9th Step: Submit Your App for Security Review and Market This   

Ensure you have submitted your final app by undergoing the security review and then have met the necessary security requirements.

Final Thoughts

Salesforce CRM is a critical business tool. It helps streamline data analysis and reporting, provides invaluable customer feedback, and aid in formulating better customer service strategies. As a result, businesses are able to align their resources towards creating timely, customer-oriented solutions.

With that said, Salesforce application development isn’t a linear process. It entails working with different tools and multiple software development methodologies. And with cloud solutions continuing to capture the imaginations of business owners, the world is yet to see the full potential of CRM Salesforce and the cloud ecosystem as a whole.

Read also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Mold Inspection

Mold Inspection And Testing

An initial visual mold inspection is the ideal way to quickly detect potential issues with moisture-rich areas in your home and identify those that need further investigation or sampling. Mold testing can be accomplished using various approaches: air testing, bulk sampling (tape lifts and swab samples), laboratory analysis, or both. Lab results may sometimes be vague and misleading. Moisture Mapping Moisture is key to mold growth, and managing moisture is therefore one of the cornerstones of mold prevention or remediation plans. Mold spores can aggravate the respiratory systems of people who are sensitive, leading to symptoms ranging from congestion to wheezing. Some fungi also release toxic compounds which can be hazardous for humans, pets, and livestock - thus it is critical that any suspected mold problem be addressed promptly in order to stop its further spread and the formation of toxic colonies. You can click here for more information on these health concerns. Mold spores float freely through the air and when they land on moist surfaces they quickly form an active colony that threatens both structures and human health. When left unchecked this can create serious structural and health issues; mold inspectors employ various tools to identify mold and moisture problems. These tools include moisture meters for structural components; non-invasive thermal imaging technologies; borescopes to visually identify problem areas inside plumbing pipes or other components; as well as various mold testing kits which enable them to determine type concentration levels of mold in an area. Inspectors often utilize a moisture mapping system to gain an accurate and detailed picture of moisture levels within structures. This tool offers a straightforward method for tracking changes in building materials' moisture over time by comparing temperature with water absorption rate at each point - this way they can easily spot areas with high or low levels, and gather vital data necessary for managing drying processes more effectively. An inspector conducting a mold inspection will examine for moisture in unexpected places - such as behind walls, under sinks, attics, crawl spaces, and basements - where mold typically hides out of sight and often signals something is amiss. You can visit this homepage for more information on this testing. Furthermore, a visual inspection must take place to detect mold hiding behind ductwork, on windowsills, and in other difficult-to-reach places. Air Sampling Air testing can be an invaluable asset in finding and eliminating mold issues, but it should not be seen as the sole tool in an inspector’s arsenal. A visual inspection, other types of testing and taking surface samples should all be used together for effective mold investigation and elimination. Air sampling provides spore counts from various species of mold or mildew; however, results may not always reflect accurate representation; there can be many factors which skew results and alter them over time. Some factors are easily controllable, like weather conditions at the time of sampling. Windy conditions can alter air pressure differences inside and outside a building and thus alter how quickly mold spores enter it, potentially misdiagnosing any mold problem. Rapid changes in barometric pressure can similarly lead to inaccurate readings due to rapid air movement between rooms; similarly, these fluctuations may alter mold growth rates within buildings as well as alter spore loss rates. You can visit this helpful site to learn more about barometric pressure. Also important in air samples is the length of chains of spores left intact in them, as these chains will normally dissipate as they travel through the atmosphere - giving a good indication of the size and direction of the source(s). If too many chains remain intact they could provide misleading data, giving a false reading on the size and direction of the source. Surface samples may be collected using a tape lift, sterile swab, or by taking pieces from suspect materials. This allows an inspector to identify the genera of mold present, assess the spore count and pinpoint possible reservoirs where mold has yet to become airborne. Related: Mold Growth At Home: What You Should Know And What You Can Do Surface Sampling Assorted methods exist to test for mold spores on surfaces, including bulk, swab, and tape samples. When taking bulk samples from suspect surfaces and sending them off for analysis in a lab, bulk sample removal and lab analysis are both done simultaneously; when taking swab samples against those surfaces a sterile swab rubbed against it collects microbes which is subcultured to growth media such as Trypticase Soy Agar. These methods of testing mold can identify some of the more prevalent types of mold; however, they may miss or undercount spores that don't grow on an incubation medium used during testing. Experienced inspectors understand their limitations and will avoid using such tests in situations when they're inappropriate. Homeowners typically arrange for mold inspection prior to buying an older home while newcomers might request one after experiencing problems with moisture or mold in their new residence. Testing for mold does not indicate whether it is harmful, will grow, or how many spores will need to enter a person's system for health problems to occur; that depends on their susceptibility and exposure levels. Because of this, an experienced inspector should conduct assessments and report on any visible mold present in a space. Laboratory Testing Laboratory-based analyses specialize in testing biological specimens and provide written reports with their findings, which help determine both genus and species identification of any found molds. Some companies sell Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mold testing kits, but these can often lead to false positives and should only be performed by certified mold inspectors. It is strongly advised that those conducting mold tests in their home or business contact a certified inspector for these assessments. Read Also: How to Prevent Mold Damage In a Building Top 6 Reasons To Use Soft Washing Services Selecting The Perfect Real Estate Agent Is Essential For Home Buyers

READ MOREDetails
Control Your Emotions

5 Day Trader’s Methods to Control Your Emotions While Conducting a Business

Are you a new trader struggling to control your emotions? Do you feel like you're constantly making bad decisions that cost you money? You're not alone. Many traders struggle with emotional control, especially in the beginning. In this blog post, we will discuss five tricks that can help you stay calm and how to control emotions while trading. By following these tips, you'll be able to make more informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes! Commonest Problems in Day Trading First, we would like to address the commonest emotional issues a trader can encounter when making a deal. Fear of Missing Out FOMO is probably the most difficult emotion to deal with as a trader. FOMO can lead you to make impulsive decisions that are not well thought out. When you see the market moving and you're worried about missing out on potential profits, it's important to take a step back and assess the situation before making any decisions. Greed Greed is another emotion that can be detrimental to your trading success. When you're in a trade and the market is moving in your favor, it can be tempting to hold on for more profits. However, this can often lead to giving back your gains or even losing money. It's important to take profits when they're available and not get too greedy. Anger Anger is another emotion that can lead to impulsive, irrational decisions. If you're angry at the market for moving against you, it's important to take a step back and calm down before making any decisions. Once you're in a trade, it's also important to not let your emotions affect your exit strategy. Fear of Failing Fear of falling can often lead to paralysis by analysis. You may be so afraid of making a mistake that you don't make any trades at all. This can be costly, as you miss out on potential profits. It's important to remember that everyone makes mistakes; the key is to learn from them and move on. Lack of Discipline Lack of discipline can often lead to overtrading. When you're not following a set plan or strategy, it's easy to make impulsive decisions that are not well thought out. This can lead to losses, as you're not sticking to a proven system. It's important to have a trading plan and stick to it. What Tricks Should You Use? Now, let's take a look at the tricks we've prepared for you. 1.  Take Frequent Breaks One of the most important things you can do to stay calm while trading is to take frequent breaks. Sitting in front of your computer for hours on end will only increase your stress levels and make it more difficult to make rational decisions. Get up and walk around every few hours, or take a break to meditate or do some deep breathing exercises. You'll come back to your trading refreshed and with a clear head. 2. Set Realistic Expectations If you're constantly expecting to make huge profits on every trade, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. It's important to have realistic expectations when trading, as this will help you stay level-headed when things don't go according to plan. Accept that you will have losing trades, and don't beat yourself up over them. Focus on the long-term goal of becoming a profitable trader, and remember that it takes time to achieve success. 3.  Create a Trading Plan Another way to stay calm and in control while trading is to create a detailed trading plan. This plan should include your entry and exit points, your stop-losses, and your profit targets. By having a plan in place, you'll know exactly what you need to do to make a successful trade. This will help to eliminate any guesswork or emotion from the equation. 4.   Stick to Your Strategy Once you have a trading strategy in place, it's important to stick to it. This can be difficult, especially when you're feeling emotional about a trade. However, if you've done your research and you're confident in your strategy, trust it and don't second-guess yourself. It's also important to remember that no trading strategy is perfect, and there will always be some risk involved. 5. Manage Your Risk Finally, one of the most important things you can do to stay calm while trading is to manage your risk. This means only risking a small portion of your account on each trade, and using stop-losses to limit your losses. By managing your risk, you'll be able to stay in the game even if you have a few losing trades. In Conclusion Emotional control is essential for any trader, but it can be especially difficult for new traders to master. By following the tips in this blog post, you'll be on your way to becoming a more successful and profitable trader! Remember to take breaks, set realistic expectations, create a trading plan, stick to your strategy, and manage your risk. With these tricks, you'll be able to control your emotions and make more informed decisions while trading. Read Also: Forex Trading Wisdom: Talk Yourself Out of Bad Trades Investing and Trading 101: Investment Ideas for Newbies The Profit Revolution: The Best Bitcoin Trading And Investing Platform Passive Income And Crypto Trading: Here Is How You Can Start

READ MOREDetails
Business Sectors To Consider Investing

Different US Business Sectors To Consider Investing In

If you're looking to invest in US businesses, it's essential to consider the different sectors that make up the economy. Each industry has unique strengths and opportunities, from agriculture to manufacturing to healthcare and technology. It is a good idea to go for the less common sectors as there is much less competition within the market, leading to increased profits and higher returns, especially if you find a market with a large audience. This post will look closely at a few top business sectors to consider investing in. If you're looking to buy a business in the US, here are some sectors to consider. 1. Laundromats The laundry industry is estimated to be a $2.68 billion market in the US, making it an attractive option for investors. Investing in a laundromat with low start-up costs and high returns can be a great way to turn your money into passive income. If you want to buy a laundromat, here is a guide to help you. 2. Food Trucks Food trucks have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and the market is estimated to be over $4 billion. With low overhead costs, food trucks are relatively easy to operate and can generate high returns for those who invest in them. To get started, all you need to do is get the necessary permits, spend around $1,000 on a truck, and get ready to get rolling. 3. Online Tutoring With the increasing use of technology and the availability of online education, online tutoring has become a lucrative business venture in the US, especially for English speakers. The market for online tutoring services is expected to reach nearly $21 billion annually by 2030, and the demand for English teachers is growing. This growth makes it an attractive option for investors looking to capitalize on the growing demand for virtual tutoring. 4. Home Renovation Services The surging popularity of home improvement services indicates that opting for a home repair franchise can be a wise decision. Investing in a home services franchise presents an enticing opportunity, considering the increasing number of individuals who prefer upgrading their current residences rather than purchasing a new house. By 2028 the current market of over $300 billion will increase and is expected to continue rising. By venturing into this industry, you position yourself to attract a substantial clientele eagerly seeking your exceptional services for many years to come. 5. Senior Care Services With the aging population in the US, senior care services are becoming increasingly popular and profitable in many areas of the country. The senior care industry is estimated to be worth around $61.1 billion in the US and is expected to continue to expand as the population of seniors grows. Investing in senior care services is an excellent way to generate long-term income, but the start-up costs are high, with an average care home costing $160 per square foot. 6. Life Coaching Life coaching has become a popular business venture in the US and is estimated to be worth around $2 billion. Investing in a life coaching business can be a great way to capitalize on the increasing demand for personal development advice and services and the rising trend of people seeking professional help when it comes to achieving their goals. Conclusion Investing in US businesses can be a great way to generate returns, but it's essential to consider the different sectors that make up the economy. From laundromats and food trucks to online tutoring and senior care services, there are many opportunities within various business sectors for investors looking to reap the rewards. In this post, we discussed some of the top niche business sectors you should consider investing in if you're considering buying a business in the US. With careful research into each industry, you may find an investment yielding high returns and passive income over time. Strapline: If you're looking to invest in US businesses, it can be a good idea to go for less common sectors as there is much less competition within the market. This concept can lead to increased profits and higher returns, especially if you find a market with a large audience. Read Also: Corporate Hackathon: Benefits To The Employees Master’s In Business Analytics: Is It Worth The Effort? Your Business Needs Marketing To Survive – Here’s Why

READ MOREDetails