How to become a Salesforce Developer?

Becoming a Salesforce Developer is a rewarding career choice, given Salesforce's dominance in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) market and its widespread adoption by businesses globally. A Salesforce Developer builds, customizes, and maintains applications on the Salesforce platform to meet business needs. Below is a detailed, beginner-friendly guide on how to become a Salesforce Developer, including the skills required, steps to follow, and resources to leverage.

How to become Salesforce Developer


What is a Salesforce Developer?

A Salesforce Developer uses the Salesforce platform’s tools and programming languages to create custom applications, automate business processes, and enhance user experiences. They work with Salesforce’s declarative (no-code/low-code) tools like Flow and programmatic tools like Apex, Visualforce, and Lightning Web Components (LWC) to build solutions tailored to organizational needs.

Steps to Become a Salesforce Developer

1. Understand the Salesforce Ecosystem

Before diving into technical skills, familiarize yourself with what Salesforce is and how it works:

  • Salesforce Overview: Salesforce is a cloud-based CRM platform that helps businesses manage customer relationships, sales, marketing, and more. It offers tools for customization, automation, and app development.
  • Key Components:
    • Sales Cloud: For sales automation. This is for pre-sale activity.
    • Service Cloud: For customer support. This is for post-sale activity.
    • Marketing Cloud: For marketing campaigns to sell business products.
    • Commerce Cloud: For e-commerce solutions.
    • AppExchange: A marketplace for pre-built apps and components. These products are reviewed by Salesforce.
    • Platform: The foundation for building custom apps (where developers primarily work).
  • Declarative vs. Programmatic Development:
    • Salesforce provides customization using declarative and custom code. Declatative approach are Out of Box feature developed by Salesforce. 
    • Declarative: Developer will work using Point-and-click tools like Process Builder, Flow, and Workflow Rules for no-code/low-code solutions. As it is a platform feature, developers should focus more on this.
    • Programmatic: Developer will do coding using Apex, Visualforce, Lightning Components, or integrations for advanced customization.
  • Action: Visit Salesforce.com to explore their products and watch introductory videos on YouTube.

2. Learn the Core Skills Required

To become a Salesforce Developer, you need a mix of technical, platform-specific, and soft skills. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Technical Skills

  1. Salesforce-Specific Skills:
    • Apex: Salesforce’s proprietary programming language, similar to Java. Used for server-side logic, triggers, and batch processing.
      • Learn basic syntax, triggers, classes, and batch Apex.
    • Visualforce: A framework for building custom user interfaces (UI) on Salesforce.
      • Understand how to create custom pages and components.
    • Lightning Web Components (LWC): A modern framework for building fast, reusable UI components using JavaScript and HTML.
      • Learn modern web development standards (ES6+ JavaScript, HTML, CSS).
    • Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL) and Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL):
      • SOQL: Query Salesforce data (similar to SQL).
      • SOSL: Search across multiple objects.
    • Salesforce Flow: A low-code tool for automating business processes.
      • Learn to build flows for automation without coding.
    • Salesforce Data Model:
      • Understand objects (standard and custom), fields, relationships (lookup, master-detail), and how data is stored.
    • Integration:
      • Learn REST and SOAP APIs for connecting Salesforce with external systems.
      • Understand tools like Postman for testing APIs.
    • AppExchange and Managed Packages:
      • Learn how to build and deploy apps on AppExchange.
  2. General Programming Skills:
    • JavaScript: Essential for Lightning Web Components and front-end development.
    • HTML/CSS: For building user interfaces in Visualforce and LWC.
    • Java or C#: Helpful for understanding Apex, as its syntax is similar.
    • Version Control: Familiarity with Git for managing code versions.
    • APIs and Web Services: Knowledge of REST, SOAP, and JSON for integrations.
  3. Database and Data Modeling:
    • Understand relational databases, data normalization, and how Salesforce stores data (objects and fields).
    • Learn to design scalable data models for custom applications.

Platform-Specific Knowledge

  • Salesforce Administration:
    • Learn basic admin tasks like user management, security settings (profiles, roles, permission sets), and data import/export.
    • Understand how to configure standard objects (e.g., Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities).
  • Salesforce Configuration:
    • Master declarative tools like Process Builder, Workflow Rules, and Flow for automation.
    • Learn to create custom objects, fields, and page layouts.
  • Salesforce Architecture:
    • Understand multitenant architecture, governor limits (restrictions on code execution), and best practices for scalable solutions.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Analyze business requirements and design solutions.
  • Communication: Work with stakeholders (e.g., business analysts, admins) to gather requirements.
  • Time Management: Handle multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Adaptability: Salesforce releases updates three times a year, so staying current is critical.

3. Get Hands-On Experience

  • Sign Up for a Free Salesforce Developer Org:
    • Create a free Salesforce Developer Edition at developer.salesforce.com.
    • Use this sandbox to practice building apps, writing code, and testing configurations.
  • Trailhead by Salesforce:
    • Salesforce’s free learning platform offers interactive modules and projects.
    • Start with beginner trails like “Salesforce Platform Basics,” “Apex Basics,” and “Lightning Web Components.”
    • Earn badges and points to track progress.
  • Build Sample Projects:
    • Create a simple app (e.g., an expense tracker) using custom objects, Apex triggers, and a Lightning UI.
    • Experiment with integrations, such as connecting Salesforce to an external API.
  • Join the Salesforce Community:
    • Participate in forums like the Salesforce Stack Exchange or Trailblazer Community.
    • Attend local Salesforce user group meetups or virtual events.

4. Earn Certifications

Salesforce certifications validate your skills and are highly valued by employers. Start with these:

  • Salesforce Certified Administrator:
    • Covers configuration, user management, and security.
    • Ideal for beginners to understand the platform.
  • Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I:
    • Focuses on Apex, Visualforce, and basic Lightning development.
    • Requires hands-on coding experience.
  • Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II:
    • Advanced certification with programming assignments and a multiple-choice exam.
    • Tests deeper knowledge of Apex, integrations, and design patterns.
  • Preparation:
    • Use Trailhead, Focus on Force, or Udemy for study materials.
    • Practice in a Developer Org to reinforce concepts.
    • Cost: ~$200 per exam attempt (as of 2025; check certification.salesforce.com for updates).

5. Gain Real-World Experience

  • Freelance or Volunteer:
    • Offer to build Salesforce solutions for nonprofits via programs like Salesforce.org’s Pro Bono Program.
    • Look for freelance gigs on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr.
  • Internships or Entry-Level Roles:
    • Apply for roles like Salesforce Administrator or Junior Developer to gain experience.
    • Check job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Salesforce’s Talent Community.
  • Contribute to Open-Source:
    • Work on open-source Salesforce projects on GitHub to build your portfolio.

6. Build a Portfolio

  • Showcase projects on GitHub or a personal website.
  • Document projects like:
    • A custom Salesforce app with Apex triggers and LWC.
    • An integration with an external system (e.g., a weather API).
    • A Flow that automates a business process.
  • Include certifications and Trailhead badges in your resume and LinkedIn profile.

7. Stay Updated and Network

  • Follow Salesforce Releases:
    • Salesforce releases updates in Spring, Summer, and Winter. Review release notes on help.salesforce.com.
  • Join Communities:
    • Engage on X (@SalesforceDevs, @Trailhead) for updates and tips.
    • Attend Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual conference, or virtual webinars.
  • Network:
    • Connect with Salesforce professionals on LinkedIn.
    • Join Trailblazer Community groups for mentorship and job leads.

Resources to Use

Job Outlook and Salary

  • Demand: Salesforce Developers are in high demand due to Salesforce’s 20%+ market share in CRM (as of 2025).
  • Salary (based on web data, 2025):
    • US: $80,000–$130,000/year (Junior to Senior Developer).
    • India: ₹6,00,000–₹20,00,000/year.
    • Europe: €50,000–€100,000/year.
  • Roles: Junior Developer, Salesforce Consultant, Senior Developer, Technical Architect.

Tips for Success

  • Practice Daily: Spend 1–2 hours in your Developer Org building solutions.
  • Focus on Problem-Solving: Employers value developers who can translate business needs into technical solutions.
  • Stay Curious: Experiment with new features like AI-driven Einstein tools.
  • Certifications Matter: They open doors to better job opportunities.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

  • Challenge: Steep learning curve for coding (Apex, LWC).
    • Solution: Start with Trailhead’s beginner modules and practice small coding challenges.
  • Challenge: Understanding governor limits in Apex.
    • Solution: Study Salesforce documentation and write efficient code (e.g., bulkification).
  • Challenge: Keeping up with Salesforce updates.
    • Solution: Follow release notes and join the Trailblazer Community.

Next Steps

  1. Sign up for a free Developer Org today.
  2. Start with Trailhead’s “Salesforce Platform Basics” module.
  3. Join the Trailblazer Community and introduce yourself.
  4. Set a goal to earn the Salesforce Certified Administrator credential within 6 months.

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