12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Salesforce Consultant

Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Salesforce, yet many businesses face messy data, low user adoption, and systems that slow growth. Without the right expertise, customizing Salesforce becomes a challenge. Internal teams may also lack the necessary expertise to customize Salesforce effectively.

This is where the right Salesforce consultant can help transform your system into a powerful business asset. The right consultant helps streamline operations, break down data silos, and ensure Salesforce works for your business—not the other way around. But hiring just any consultant won’t do. You need a partner who understands your industry, and delivers measurable ROI.

So, how do you decide if you need a Salesforce consultant? And if you do, how do you choose the right one? Read on to find out just that.

By asking the right internal questions, you can assess whether your current setup supports your growth goals or if gaps exist that require outside expertise. The next section will walk you through five key questions to help you decide whether hiring a consultant is the right move for your business.

Before looking for a consultant, take a step back and assess what’s not working with your Salesforce setup. Are your teams struggling to use the platform effectively? Do you find yourself dealing with disconnected data, inconsistent reporting, or clunky workflows that slow down productivity?

Some common pain points include:

Identifying these challenges will help you determine whether they can be fixed internally or if you need a Salesforce consultant to step in with expert solutions.

Even if your business is facing challenges with Salesforce, the next question to ask is: Can your team handle the solution in-house, or do you need outside help?

Start by evaluating whether your internal team has the time, technical knowledge, and experience to take on the project. Salesforce is a powerful platform, but optimizing it requires specialized skills—especially when dealing with AI-driven automation or complex integrations.

Ask yourself:

If your team lacks the necessary skills or is already stretched thin, bringing in a Salesforce consultant can ensure the project gets done efficiently—without overloading your internal resources.

Salesforce is a major investment, but are you seeing the results you expected? If your CRM isn’t driving measurable business outcomes—like higher sales, or improved customer retention—it’s time to reassess.

Start by looking at how your teams are using Salesforce. Is it fully integrated into your business processes, or are there gaps? Poor configuration or missed automation opportunities are some of the biggest culprits behind underwhelming ROI.

Consider these key signs of underperformance:

If any of these sound familiar, a Salesforce consultant can help identify and fix the roadblocks, ensuring your CRM delivers the ROI you originally expected.

Before bringing in a Salesforce consultant, you need a clear understanding of what your project entails. Are you looking for a new implementation, an optimization of your current setup, a data migration, or custom development? Defining the scope upfront will help you determine whether your internal team can handle it or if you need external expertise.

Think about:

If your project involves large-scale customization, complex integrations, or AI-driven automation, it may be best to work with a Salesforce consultant who can ensure a smooth and strategic implementation.

Every Salesforce project comes with two critical constraints—time and cost. Before deciding whether to hire a Salesforce consultant, take a realistic look at your internal team’s capacity. Can they handle the project while managing their existing workload? Do you have a clear timeline for when the project needs to be completed?

Budget is another key factor. While hiring a consultant comes with an upfront cost, it could actually save money in the long run by preventing delays, avoiding costly errors, and ensuring the system is optimized from day one. A consultant brings efficiency, expertise, and structured project management, which often means faster implementation and a higher return on investment.

If your internal team is stretched thin or lacks the expertise to meet your timeline, working with a Salesforce consultancy can help you stay on track while maximizing the value of your investment.

Taking the time to evaluate your internal challenges, resources, expected ROI, project scope, and constraints will give you a clear picture of whether a Salesforce consultant is the right investment for your business. If your team has the skills, bandwidth, and expertise to execute the project effectively, you may be able to handle it in-house. But if you’re struggling with technical roadblocks, integration challenges, or a lack of strategic direction, bringing in a consultant can help you maximize your Salesforce investment while saving time and resources.

If you’ve determined that hiring a Salesforce consultant is the best path forward, the next step is choosing the right one. Not all consultants offer the same level of expertise or approach to implementation, so it’s crucial to ask the right questions to ensure they align with your business needs. Here’s what to ask when evaluating potential Salesforce consultants.

Choosing the right Salesforce consultant is a critical step in ensuring a successful implementation. Beyond technical expertise, the right partner should understand your industry, business goals, and long-term vision. Asking the right questions will help you assess their capabilities and approach, ensuring they can deliver real value. Here’s what to ask before making your decision.

Not all Salesforce consultants are the same—experience in your industry makes a big difference. A consultant who understands your market’s challenges, compliance requirements, and customer expectations can deliver solutions that fit seamlessly into your operations.

Ask:

A consultant with the right experience won’t just implement Salesforce; they’ll optimize it for your specific business needs.

Salesforce is constantly evolving, and a consultant’s expertise should keep up. Certifications show that they have the latest skills and deep product knowledge, ensuring they can configure Salesforce effectively for your needs.

Ask:

A knowledgeable consultant won’t just implement solutions—they’ll ensure you’re using Salesforce to its full potential.

Every Salesforce project comes with its own complexities, so it's crucial to understand how a consultant will handle yours. A well-defined approach ensures smooth execution, minimizes risks, and keeps things on track.

Ask:

An experienced consultant should have a structured yet flexible strategy that aligns with your goals while being prepared to pivot when needed.

A Salesforce consultant should do more than just implement features—they should help you achieve tangible business results. Ask how they plan to align Salesforce with your goals, whether it’s boosting sales, improving customer retention, or streamlining operations.

Key considerations:

A strong consultant will focus on efficiency, automation, and strategic insights to make sure your Salesforce investment delivers lasting returns.

Moving data and connecting systems can be one of the trickiest parts of a Salesforce project. A well-executed migration ensures that no critical information is lost, and seamless integrations keep your business operations running smoothly.

Key considerations:

A strong consultant should have a structured approach for securely migrating data and integrating Salesforce with your existing tools, avoiding disruptions while maximizing efficiency.

A successful Salesforce implementation doesn’t end at go-live. Ongoing support is essential to ensure users adopt the system effectively and any post-launch issues are resolved quickly.

Key considerations:

Reliable post-implementation support ensures your investment continues delivering value long after the project is completed.

A consultant’s track record speaks volumes about their ability to deliver real business value. Ask for specific examples of how they’ve helped clients achieve measurable results with Salesforce.

Key considerations:

Seeing proven success stories will give you confidence that the consultant can drive meaningful outcomes for your business.

Hiring the right Salesforce consultant is a strategic decision that impacts your business's long-term success. By asking these key questions, you can gauge their experience, technical expertise, approach to project execution, and ability to drive measurable results.

A great consultant tailor salesforce to your unique needs, ensure a seamless transition, and provide ongoing support to maximize your investment. Take the time to evaluate your options carefully, and choose a partner who aligns with your goals and can help you unlock Salesforce’s full potential.

Hiring the right Salesforce consulting services starts with understanding your own goals and challenges. Asking the right questions internally helps you define what success looks like and ensures you’re bringing in a partner who truly aligns with your business needs. A well-vetted consultant doesn’t just handle implementation—they provide long-term value by optimizing Salesforce to drive efficiency, insights, and growth.

At Bolt Today, we specialize in helping businesses simplify complex Salesforce projects, integrate AI-driven solutions, and maximize ROI. Our team ensures seamless adoption, continuous support, and strategic guidance tailored to your goals.

If you’re searching for a Salesforce partner who can solve your biggest challenges—be it data fragmentation, AI adoption, or Salesforce optimization—we can help. Contact us to learn how we can tailor solutions to your business and guide you toward Salesforce success.