Checklist for Choosing the Right Salesforce Partner
Aug 20, 2025
This article was written by Scott Billows, Chief Executive Officer.
Choosing the right Salesforce partner is critical to a successful implementation, setting the foundation for your organization’s adoption of Salesforce. As an experienced Salesforce implementation partner, we’ve witnessed the pitfalls of mismatched partnerships, where misaligned expertise or poor collaboration can derail projects. For many organizations, especially those implementing Salesforce for the first time or recovering from an unsuccessful project, selecting the right partner is a make-or-break decision.
Drawing from insights we’ve observed, including our perspectives from recent podcast episodes, we’ve crafted a clear and actionable checklist to help you identify, evaluate, and select a Salesforce partner that aligns with your organization’s unique needs and goals.
For more insight, check out our two Podcast episodes:
Episode 9: How to Avoid Selecting the Wrong Salesforce Partner
Episode 10: Digital Transformation Doesn't Have to Be Painful
Define Your Goals and Needs
☑ Clarify whether you need a short-term project or a long-term partnership.
☑ Identify specific organizational needs (e.g., nonprofit, conservation, arts) and desired Salesforce functionalities.
☑ Determine your budget and timeline constraints.
Research Potential Partners
☑ Explore the Salesforce AppExchange to review partners based on experience, customer satisfaction, and project history.
☑ Conduct independent research using Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, or other tools to find partners matching your criteria.
☑ Engage with partner content (e.g., blogs, podcasts, customer events) to assess their expertise and approach.
☑ Contact your Salesforce Account Executive for recommendations of trusted partners.
Evaluate Partner Experience and Fit
☑ Confirm the partner has specific experience in your industry (e.g., nonprofit sector) with referenceable projects.
☑ Request references from similar organizations to verify the partner’s success.
☑ Assess the partner’s size and team composition to ensure alignment with your organization’s scale and needs.
☑ Meet the team assigned to your project to evaluate their experience, soft skills, and cultural fit with your organization.
☑ Ensure the partner prioritizes resource continuity to avoid disruptions from team changes.
Verify Technical Competency
☑ Check for Salesforce certifications on the AppExchange to confirm technical expertise.
☑ Ask if the partner stays updated on Salesforce’s latest features and industry trends.
☑ Confirm the partner has a track record of successful implementations, not just a few projects.
Assess Pricing and Transparency
☑ Request a clear explanation of the partner’s pricing model and how it aligns with your budget.
☑ Ensure the partner provides detailed documentation of project scope, requirements, and progress to avoid surprises.
☑ Discuss how the partner handles budget overruns or change orders to ensure transparency.
Prioritize Relationship and Trust
☑ Evaluate the partner’s communication style and willingness to build a trusting, collaborative relationship.
☑ Choose a partner who shares your enthusiasm for digital transformation and aligns with your vision.
☑ Ensure the partner is approachable and open to addressing concerns throughout the project.
Compare Multiple Partners
☑ Engage with at least two or three partners to compare their approaches, pricing, and fit.
☑ Ask each partner how they would address your specific needs and challenges.
☑ Avoid rushing to select the first partner you speak with.
Plan for Potential Challenges
☑ Ask how the partner handles project setbacks or misalignments and their process for remediation.
☑ Explore how the partner provides thorough documentation of all work to support sustainability and future transitions.
☑ Consider involving a third-party project manager to objectively assess the partner’s experience and performance.
Final Decision and Next Steps
☑ Choose a partner who combines technical expertise, industry experience, and a strong cultural fit.
☑ Agree on clear expectations, deliverables, and timelines before signing a contract.
☑ Maintain open communication with the partner and your Salesforce AE throughout the project to ensure alignment.
For more information, we encourage you to utilize the resources we’ve developed on our website. If you would like to have a conversation with one of our team members, you can contact us through our website, and we would be happy to set up a call.
About the Organization
Belmar Consulting is an award-winning Salesforce implementation partner, who works with various organizations and enables them to succeed in their digital transformation journey. We combine our intimate knowledge of the public sector and the nonprofit industry with Salesforce to create and implement innovative solutions for our clients. Belmar’s dedication to delivering successful client projects means our clients are more effective in their role to fulfill their organizational missions.
