Salesforce is one of the most prominent Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms available, known for its extensive capabilities, flexibility, and scalability. However, navigating Salesforce’s pricing structure can be a challenge due to the range of products and customisation options available. This guide aims to clarify Salesforce CRM products and pricing, helping UK businesses make informed decisions.
Overview of Salesforce CRM products
Salesforce offers a suite of CRM products tailored to different business needs. These products are modular, allowing businesses to select the functionalities they need while avoiding unnecessary costs. The key CRM products include:
- Sales Cloud: This is Salesforce’s core CRM product, designed for sales teams to manage customer relationships, track sales, and forecast revenue.
- Service Cloud: Aimed at customer service teams, Service Cloud provides tools for managing customer support cases, offering self-service options, and improving service delivery.
- Marketing Cloud: This product caters to marketing teams, offering tools for managing campaigns, tracking customer interactions, and automating marketing processes.
- Commerce Cloud: Focused on e-commerce, this product helps businesses manage their online sales channels, from storefronts to order fulfilment.
- Experience Cloud: Formerly known as Community Cloud, this product allows businesses to create portals, forums, and other online communities to engage with customers, partners, and employees.
Salesforce pricing list
| Salesforce Product | Pricing Tier | Price (Per User, Per Month) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Cloud | Essentials | £20 | Basic CRM functionalities for small teams. |
| Professional | £60 | Advanced CRM tools for growing businesses. | |
| Enterprise | £120 | Comprehensive features with customisation. | |
| Unlimited | £240 | Full suite of features and top-tier support. | |
| Service Cloud | Essentials | £20 | Basic service tools for small support teams. |
| Professional | £60 | More advanced support and case management. | |
| Enterprise | £120 | Extensive customisation and integrations. | |
| Unlimited | £240 | Maximum features and premium support. | |
| Marketing Cloud | Entry-Level | Starting at £1,000/month | Basic email marketing capabilities. |
| Commerce Cloud | Entry-Level | Starting at £2,000/month | E-commerce management, including storefront. |
| Experience Cloud | Standard | £60 | Online community tools, customisation varies. |
Salesforce pricing model
Salesforce employs a subscription-based pricing model with different tiers based on the level of functionality required. The pricing for each product varies significantly, and there are typically four main pricing tiers:
- Essentials: This is the entry-level tier, offering basic CRM functionalities. It’s ideal for small businesses or startups that need a simple yet effective CRM solution.
- Professional: The Professional tier includes more advanced features and customisation options, suitable for growing businesses that require more robust tools.
- Enterprise: This tier provides a comprehensive set of features, including extensive customisation and integration capabilities. It’s designed for medium to large businesses with complex CRM needs.
- Unlimited: As the name suggests, this top-tier package offers the full range of Salesforce features, along with additional support and services. It’s best suited for large enterprises that require maximum flexibility and support.
Detailed pricing for Salesforce products
Here’s a breakdown of the pricing for the core Salesforce CRM products, accurate as of 2024. Please note that prices are per user, per month, and are billed annually.
Sales Cloud
- Essentials: £20
- Professional: £60
- Enterprise: £120
- Unlimited: £240
Service Cloud
- Essentials: £20
- Professional: £60
- Enterprise: £120
- Unlimited: £240
Marketing Cloud
Marketing Cloud pricing is more complex and typically quoted on a custom basis. However, entry-level packages start at approximately £1,000 per month for basic email marketing capabilities.
Commerce Cloud
Similar to Marketing Cloud, Commerce Cloud is priced based on a combination of user licences and transaction volumes. Entry-level packages start around £2,000 per month.
Experience Cloud
Pricing starts at approximately £60 per user per month for standard functionality, with higher costs for more advanced features and customisation.
Additional costs and considerations
While the base prices provide a good starting point, businesses should also consider additional costs associated with Salesforce, such as:
- Customisation and Development: Businesses often require customisation to tailor Salesforce to their specific needs. This can involve additional costs for development and third-party integrations.
- Training and Support: Depending on the complexity of the implementation, businesses may need to invest in training their staff to use Salesforce effectively. Additional support packages are also available for an extra fee.
- Third-Party Apps: The Salesforce AppExchange offers thousands of third-party apps that can extend the functionality of your CRM. While many are free, others can add significant costs.
Tips for managing Salesforce costs
Given the potential for costs to escalate, here are some tips for managing your Salesforce investment:
- Start Small: Begin with the Essentials or Professional tier, and only upgrade as your business needs grow.
- Evaluate Needs Carefully: Consider your actual CRM needs before selecting a product or tier. Avoid overpaying for features that you won’t use.
- Consider Annual Billing: Salesforce offers discounts for annual billing, which can help reduce costs.
- Utilise Third-Party Consultants: Working with a Salesforce consultant can help optimise your setup, potentially saving money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes or inefficiencies.
Conclusion – Salesforce pricing review
Salesforce remains a powerful CRM platform that can deliver significant value to businesses of all sizes. However, understanding its pricing structure is crucial to ensure that you are getting the most out of your investment.
By carefully selecting the right products and tiers, and by being mindful of additional costs, UK businesses can leverage Salesforce to its full potential without breaking the bank.
Salesforce pricing FAQ
Salesforce pricing depends on the product you choose, the pricing tier, and the number of users. For instance, Sales Cloud pricing ranges from £20 per user per month for the Essentials tier to £240 per user per month for the Unlimited tier.
For a small business, Salesforce can cost as little as £20 per user per month with the Sales Cloud Essentials plan. This provides basic CRM functionalities suitable for small teams.
Yes, Salesforce offers discounts for annual billing. For example, paying annually for the Sales Cloud Professional tier could lower the cost from £60 per user per month compared to a monthly billing cycle.
The highest pricing tier in Salesforce is the Unlimited tier, which costs £240 per user per month. It includes all features, maximum customisation, and premium support services.
Yes, Salesforce Marketing Cloud pricing starts at approximately £1,000 per month for basic email marketing capabilities, which is different from the per-user pricing model seen in Sales and Service Cloud.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud pricing starts around £2,000 per month, depending on the number of transactions and user licences required. It’s generally priced higher due to its specialised e-commerce functionalities.
Yes, you can start with a lower-priced Salesforce plan, such as Sales Cloud Essentials at £20 per user per month, and upgrade to a higher tier like Enterprise (£120 per user per month) as your needs grow.
Yes, there can be additional costs beyond the base Salesforce pricing, such as customisation, third-party integrations, and advanced support packages. For example, integrating third-party apps from the Salesforce AppExchange can add significant costs depending on the app’s pricing.
Salesforce Experience Cloud starts at £60 per user per month, which is similar to the Professional tier of Sales Cloud but can increase based on customisation needs and advanced features.
The cheapest Salesforce product is the Sales Cloud Essentials plan, priced at £20 per user per month, offering fundamental CRM functionalities for small businesses.