Best Salesforce Certification Courses

Salesforce skills and certifications are in high demand in the information technology industry and you’ll be positioned to take your career to the next level with a few certifications under your belt. 

But what’s the best way to prepare for the exam? An online Salesforce certification course is an ideal place to start. Whether you’re new to Salesforce or need to brush up on your skills, we’ll go over several options for you to choose from that go beyond an exam guide.

We explored over 100 Salesforce certification courses on the web and come up with our top picks. The featured courses are from LinkedIn Learning, PluralSight, Trailhead and Udemy. While this CRM platform is popular and these names are well-known, you should the platform that make the most sense for your needs.

Here’s a description of each course, who it’s for and the price point. We’ve also categorized the courses by skill level: beginners, intermediate students and advanced students.  

These Salesforce Certification Courses are great for if you’re just learning the ropes.

Just $19.99 gets you a seat in this bestselling course from Udemy — it’ll teach you everything you need to know to pass the Salesforce Administrator Certification Exam.

When you enroll, you’ll have instant access to 10.5 hours of on-demand video, 17 articles, 2 downloadable resources and 1 practice test. The class begins with a lesson on how to create your own free account. You’ll also learn core concepts of the platform along with the mechanics of deploying the Lightning Experience in Salesforce.

The class is instructed by Mike Wheeler, Salesforce trainer, and Aaron Wheeler, Adobe certified expert. It’s designed for beginners and those who are a bit more experienced who want to take the Salesforce Administrator Exam. 

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It’s fun to prepare for your Salesforce Administrator Certification Exam through Trailhead’s course. 

This 53-hour class begins with an overview of the exam so you’ll know what to expect when it’s time to test. It’s followed by an organization setup task in Salesforce. Once you’ve got the foundational work out of the way, you’ll jump right into the first Salesforce Platform Basics module. 

As the course progresses, you’ll be required to complete a series of assignments and projects to demonstrate your proficiency in the subject. The class wraps up with helpful study tools and a practice test. 

Enrollment is free, but you’ll need to sign up for a Trailhead account to get started. 

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You might want to gain a better understanding of how Salesforce formulas work if you want to enhance your user experience. This 5-star course is worth exploring. The class is a little over 1.5 hours and includes 6 modules. 

Instructor and software developer Dan Appleman covers formulas, data, operators and functions. He also shares real-life examples and testing formulas that can significantly assist you when as you use the platform. 

The enrollment fee for Formula Fundamentals in Salesforce is included in the $29 PluralSight monthly subscription. You can also grab a seat for free by signing up for a 10-day trial. 

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Have you mastered Salesforce mechanics? If not, these intermediate-level courses may be a good fit.

Taught by Christopher Matthew Spencer, a Salesforce certified administrator, this course is best for those who are ready to start preparing for the qualification exam. 

The 1-hour class touches on the benefits of certification, what’s included in the exam and how to register. You’ll also learn which study materials are most useful and the tips you should implement to increase your odds of earning a passing score on the first attempt. 

It’s free to enroll with a $29.99 LinkedIn Learning monthly membership. But if you’re not yet a member, sign up for a free 1-month subscription to access the course for free.

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Learn what it takes to pass the Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification Exam in this bestselling course from Udemy. You’ll also learn how to set up security and access permissions, configure a role hierarchy, build apps on the platform and a host of other useful skills. 

This class includes 19 hours of on-demand video, 11 articles and 6 downloadable resources to supplement your learning. Once you’ve reached the finish line, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion. 

Enrollment is only $19.99 and it’s best to have a working knowledge of Salesforce before you sign up for the class.

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You’ll be able to review key concepts that appear on the Salesforce Platform App Builder exam. This class begins with a primer on Salesforce fundamentals and dives into more complex concepts related to app building. 

The material is delivered through interactive modules that include hands-on tasks and projects designed to enhance your experience. After the course, you can work through real-life simulations that apply to concepts featured in the certification exam. Expect to spend approximately 55 hours working through the course.

Make sure you know design, building and implementation of custom application basics before you enroll in the course. 

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Do you have extensive knowledge of the platform or are you a Salesforce certified administrator? You may be interested in these advanced courses.

Do you want to take your career to the next level as a Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator? This course, the first of a 3-part series, will give you a sneak peek into what the process entails. You can proceed with the other 2 classes in Udemy if you enjoyed the first.

Test drive this 5-hour course for only $19.99. You can receive your money back within 30 days of enrollment if you’re not satisfied for any reason.

The Salesforce Administrator Certification Credential is a prerequisite for this course and you’ll also need it to sit for the exam. 

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Are you interested in the Cloud Consultant Certification? If so, you might want to consider taking this class. This Udemy bestseller will equip you with the knowledge needed to pass the exam. Over 1,700 students have enrolled in this comprehensive course to date. 

You’ll be able to access a thorough discussion of the components of the exam. Instructor Mike Wheeler also covers implementation strategies, sales cloud solution design, marketing and leads, opportunity management, sales productivity and a host of other integral concepts. 

You can enroll for $19.99 and have instant access to 11 hours of on-demand video, 13 articles and 7 downloadable resources. 

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This bestselling course will prepare you to pass the Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant Certification Exam. It includes 115 lectures condensed into 11 hours of video. You will also have access to 9 articles when you enroll. 

Instructors Mike and Aaron Wheeler offer 11 modules to give you access to essential industry knowledge. You’ll also earn the mechanics of implementation strategies, service cloud solution design, building custom service apps, knowledge management and interaction channels. 

Enrollment is $19.99 and you should have experience working in Salesforce before you register for this class. 

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Going beyond a practice exam, you need a certificate course that meets you where you are. The best Salesforce certification programs meet the following criteria

Are you an IT employee? If so, you’re well aware that Salesforce is a sophisticated customer relationship management platform. Make sure you get an instructor who can break down terms, concepts and methodology. Look for a Salesforce trainer who’s well-versed in the platform and understands how to get you through the online certificate program. A Salesforce consultant may know the platform, but make sure they teach in a manner that speaks to you.

You can’t expect to become skilled in Salesforce by reading a multi-page document. For this reason, the course should be interactive and include tasks or projects that allow you to apply the knowledge you’ve learned in the modules. It’s also a bonus if the instructor provides demonstrations for you to reference at a later date if needed. 

Most importantly, the course should include at least 1 practice exam to test your proficiency in the material. Otherwise, you won’t know whether you’re prepared to take the salesforce certification exam or if you need more time to study. 

Some classes may force you to rush through the material to meet deadlines. As you explore sales Certification courses, confirm that you’re allowed to work at your own pace prior to the Salesforce exam. That way, you can take your time and give yourself the best chance at passing the applicable exam on the first attempt. 

Enrolling in a reputable Salesforce certification course is the best way to set yourself up for success. You’ll take the guesswork out of trying to figure out what concepts to focus on and you’ll increase the odds of passing on the first try. 

New to Salesforce? Consider a free course to get acclimated with the platform. Once you’ve mastered the basics, move on to more complex material — enroll in intermediate and advanced courses. 

Confirm that the course is taught by a Salesforce trainer with a stellar track record. The course should also be self-paced so you have an ample amount of time to understand, retain and apply the information shared in the class. 

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Benzinga recommends The Complete Salesforce Classic Administrator and Prepare for Your Salesforce Administrator Credentials.

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It takes 6 weeks to complete the certification, depending on your experience.

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Depending on the industry in which you work and your role, you may or may not need Salesforce certification to obtain gainful employment. However, it is wise to receive as much training as you can to make yourself more marketable over the long-term.

How To Become A Business Consultant

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Business consultants are essential for helping a company stay competitive in a constantly changing market. Most business consultants need a bachelor’s degree in business, social sciences or engineering, and an MBA may be a good option as well.

A career path in business consulting can provide individuals with competitive salaries and many job opportunities after college. If you are interested in becoming a business consultant, read more for a snapshot of what you need to know.

A business consultant’s job is to provide advice and recommendations to the leaders of an organization. A consultant may also support the implementation of their recommendations. The title of business consultant can vary by company or industry and may include titles like management analyst, business advisor, strategy consultant, operational consultant, financial consultant or even leadership consultant.

Consultants will conduct studies on the issues an organization is trying to solve. Studies may include interviewing personnel and observing the methods and practices used within the workplace. They will also analyze their findings, determine solutions and hold meetings to review recommendations with management.

Business consultant careers are expected to grow faster than average over the next decade and have attractive salaries. As technology continues to reshape a multitude of industries, markets will become more competitive, requiring businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects to see strong demand for consultants who specialize in specific business functions, such as HR or information technology. For example, companies rely on IT consultants to maintain their security and efficiency. The BLS also predicts government agencies will call on consultants to optimize their operations.

Business consultants are among the highest earners across all occupational groups. According to the BLS, a business consultant or management analyst earns a median income of $95,290, with the top 90% of earners making more than $167,650.

Having highly effective communication skills is crucial for a business consultant. Being an effective communicator will help the relationship between consultant and client. Not only do you need to clearly convey your ideas to your client, but being able to comprehend their issues and needs will help you determine the best course of action to take.

Other top skills include a depth of knowledge in the industry or business you are working in, as well as problem-solving and creative thinking skills. A firm grasp of these abilities will allow you to give advice and recommendations that will help your client stay ahead of the curve.

Working as a business consultant requires a particular skill set. Not only do you need to possess deep knowledge of an industry, but you must also have the ability to think creatively, communicate effectively and have analytical and leadership skills.

A bachelor’s degree is typically a requirement to become a business consultant. Many business consultants also obtain a designation such as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC).

Students should consider a major that includes a focus on business, including business management, marketing, accounting and finances. Additionally, degrees in social sciences and engineering have their strengths as well, especially if a student plans to work as a consultant in the field they major in.

Students should also consider choosing a major that aligns with the industry they aspire to consult in.

Although not required, completing an MBA program will make you more attractive for higher-paying positions at consulting firms. An MBA is also an opportunity to network with professionals in the field and gain additional knowledge on certain industries.

Additionally, if you are an entrepreneur or plan to start your own consulting business, earning an MBA will help increase your ethos and could broaden your clientele.

Certifications are not a requirement for success as a business consultant, but they can be beneficial. Consider these two certifications, but note that there are many types of certifications available.

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® offered by the Project Management Institute can show prospective clients that you understand the needs of a business. The designation validates your understanding of the technical aspects of project management, the soft skills required to influence a team and how organizational strategy relates to project scope.

The U.S. Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) offers the internationally recognized professional designation of Certified Management Consultant (CMC). This certification shows clients your competency of professional knowledge and a commitment to ethical practices.

You can expect to take a minimum of six years to become a business consultant. You will need to complete a bachelor’s degree, and ideally, an internship before spending a couple of years gaining experience in the field.

You can start a career in consulting by earning a bachelor’s degree in business, social sciences or engineering. After earning your degree, you can pursue an MBA or enter the workforce to gain experience and knowledge within your industry. Alternatively, if you already have expertise in a particular field, you can start and scale your own consulting business.

Systems consultants and financial consultants make the most money. For systems consultants, the increased demand for cybersecurity is a driving force in the field. Financial consultants, especially those who work for large, well-known firms, often have high salaries as well.