Top 7 Signs You Need a Salesforce Consultant (And How to Choose One)
By Robert Ulrich
Salesforce is powerful but only if you use it effectively. Most businesses don’t realise they’re not extracting maximum value from it. They keep investing time and energy into the system without seeing the benefits.
That’s where a Salesforce consultant comes in. These experts help you unlock hidden features, fix shortcomings, and align Salesforce with your real business goals. Still, many companies delay hiring one until it’s too late.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the clear signs you need a Salesforce consultant and how to find the right consulting partner to ensure long-term success.
7 Clear Signs You Need a Salesforce Consultant
1. You’re Not Seeing ROI from Salesforce
If you’ve implemented Salesforce but aren’t seeing measurable results, something’s not working. You may have the right tool, but without expert guidance, your setup might not support your goals. Poor ROI often stems from misaligned workflows, weak adoption, or underused features.
A Salesforce consultant can assess what’s missing, fix inefficiencies, and create a clear strategy for growth.They will help you optimise usage, extract insights, and turn your CRM into a real driver of business ROI.
2. Your Team Avoids Using Salesforce
If your team prefers spreadsheets or email over Salesforce, it’s a serious adoption issue. This usually points to a clunky interface, poor training, or irrelevant dashboards. A certified Salesforce consultant can rework the user experience and tailor features to your workflows. They also provide hands-on training, so your team actually trusts and uses the system. Better adoption means better data, smoother processes, and stronger decisions.
3. Sales Are Dropping Instead of Rising
Salesforce is designed to increase revenue, not hold it back. If your sales numbers are slipping, your CRM setup could be to blame. Outdated processes, clunky workflows, or missing data may be blocking conversions. A poor sales process, missing integrations, or bad pipeline data can all kill conversions. A Salesforce consultant digs into your system to find what’s broken and fix it fast. They rebuild your sales workflows, align your strategy, and turn decline into growth.
4. Customer Complaints Are Increasing
Unhappy customers are a warning sign you can’t ignore. Slow response times, broken workflows, or disconnected tools may be to blame. These issues often result from a poorly configured CRM that doesn’t support your service team.
A Salesforce CRM consultant helps streamline your support system for better service. They align your CRM with your customer journey, so teams respond faster and smarter. Fewer delays mean happier customers and stronger relationships over time.
5. Your Team Isn’t Using Salesforce Properly
If your team avoids Salesforce or uses it the wrong way, something is off. It might be too complex, poorly trained, or simply not aligned with their daily work. When adoption is low, the system becomes a burden instead of a solution.
A Salesforce consultant uncovers why your team isn’t engaged. They simplify the setup, offer tailored training, and align features with real workflows. Better adoption means better results across every department.
6. You’re Not Sure What’s Working
If you can’t measure your sales or service performance, you’re flying blind. A lack of clear metrics or reporting often means your Salesforce isn’t set up right. You need real-time visibility to make smarter decisions.
A consultant will configure dashboards, KPIs, and automated reports. They ensure your data tells a story that helps you act fast and improve continuously. With the right insights, you can finally track what’s working and what’s not.
7. You Keep Running Into Technical Issues
If errors, bugs, or delays keep showing up, your Salesforce setup might be fragile. Custom code, outdated workflows, or broken integrations can all slow your team down. These issues build up and impact performance across your entire business.
A certified Salesforce consultant audits your system for weak points. They clean up clutter, fix broken features, and future-proof your CRM. Instead of patching problems, they build a reliable system that runs smoothly
Side-by-Side Comparison: In-House Setup vs. Expert Guidance
| Feature/Process | In-House Setup Without Consultant | With Salesforce Consultant |
| CRM Customisation | Limited or basic setup | Tailored to business needs and goals |
| Team Adoption | Often low or inconsistent | Improved with training and interface design |
| Issue Resolution Time | Slow, handled internally | Faster with expert troubleshooting |
| Reporting & Insights | Basic, not actionable | Strategic dashboards and real-time metrics |
| ROI Clarity | Hard to measure | Clear tracking of goals and returns |
| Integration with Other Tools | Often missing or incomplete | Fully connected ecosystem |
| Long-Term Strategy & Scalability | Not well-defined | Strategic planning for growth |
| Compliance & Security Considerations | Potential risks | Ensured alignment with regulations |
How to Choose the Right Salesforce Consultant
Not every consultant brings the same level of expertise or commitment. Some will simply deliver the bare minimum and walk away. Others will act as strategic partners, helping your business evolve, improve processes, and maximise Salesforce to its full potential. That’s why choosing the right consultant isn’t just about technical skill. It’s about finding someone who aligns with your long-term goals.
A great consultant will take time to understand your business model, challenges, and growth targets. They won’t push cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, they’ll tailor strategies, workflows, and integrations to fit your specific needs. Communication is another critical factor. You want someone who explains their approach clearly, listens to your feedback, and keeps you informed every step of the way.
Let’s walk through five key things to check before you hire your ideal expert.
1. Define Your Goals Clearly
Don’t start your search without knowing what you want from your Salesforce setup. Do you need better automation, reporting, or smoother sales processes? Make a short list of your pain points and desired outcomes. This clarity helps your consultant deliver the right customisation and prevents wasted time or investment.
2. Check for Salesforce Certifications
A certified Salesforce consultant brings both expertise and trust. Certifications prove they’re trained in Salesforce CRM best practises. Look for credentials like Salesforce Administrator, Developer, or Architect based on your needs. Certified pros are also up to date with the latest features and platform changes. That means fewer mistakes and better use of your investment.
3. Review Their Industry Experience
Your consultant should understand your business, not just the software. If they’ve worked in your industry, they’ll know what success looks like. Whether it’s healthcare, SaaS, or finance, experience helps them offer tailored advice. This also shortens onboarding time and ensures they ask the right questions. A Salesforce CRM consultant who speaks your language is a game changer.
4. Evaluate Communication & Support Process
Technical knowledge is important, but so is how they talk to your team. Your consultant should explain ideas clearly and listen closely to your feedback. Ask how they handle training, documentation, and post-launch support. The best experts make the project feel like a partnership, not a hand-off. Smooth communication keeps things on track from day one.
5. Understand Pricing vs. ROI
Don’t be fooled by bargain rates that look too good to be true. Cheap setups often mean shortcuts, missed features, and tech debt later. Instead, ask how the consultant measures ROI and what outcomes you can expect. A solid Salesforce consulting service will show how they increase efficiency and growth. In the long run, value always beats a low quote.
Why UK Businesses Prefer Local Salesforce Consultants
For many UK companies, hiring a local Salesforce consultant feels like the smarter choice. Local experts often understand your market, communication style, and work culture better. This leads to stronger collaboration and faster results.
They’re also familiar with UK-specific rules, like data privacy and compliance regulations. A local consultant can guide your business through these details without confusion. That means fewer mistakes and smoother implementation.
Time zones are another big reason. Working in the same region helps avoid delays and missed meetings. If needed, in-person sessions can be arranged more easily.
When choosing among the best Salesforce consultants UK, look for proven experience with businesses like yours. A local consulting partner offers more than proximity, they offer alignment and reliability.
When to Consider Ongoing Salesforce Consulting Services
Hiring a Salesforce consultant for a single project can help, but long-term support offers more value. As your business grows, so do your CRM needs. Having ongoing Salesforce consulting services means you’re always ready to adapt.
These services cover updates, new feature rollouts, and day-to-day troubleshooting. They also help optimise workflows and fix small issues before they become big problems. It’s a way to keep your system running smoothly without draining your internal team.
At RT Labs, we offer dedicated Salesforce consulting services tailored to your evolving needs. You’re welcome to visit our London office to discuss your goals in person or connect with our team online. We’re here to support your success, every step of the way.
Conclusion
If you’re facing issues with Salesforce, you’re not alone. Many businesses miss the early signs that they need expert help. Waiting too long can cost more in lost time, missed opportunities, and frustration.
A trusted Salesforce consultant can transform how your team works, sells, and supports customers. From improving your CRM to driving long-term growth, the right expert makes all the difference.
Need help? Talk to a certified Salesforce consultant today and get your business back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a Salesforce consultant do?
A Salesforce consultant helps you set up, customise, and optimise your CRM to meet business goals. They improve system usage and increase your return on investment.
When should I hire a Salesforce consultant?
You should hire one if your team avoids the system, projects are delayed, or ROI is unclear. A consultant can fix issues fast and unlock full CRM potential.
How do I choose the best Salesforce consultant?
Look for certifications, industry experience, and clear communication. Make sure they offer post-launch support and align with your business goals.
Do I need a certified Salesforce consultant?
Yes, a certified Salesforce consultant knows the platform’s best practises and technical features. They bring trust, skill, and reliability to your project.
What industries benefit most from Salesforce CRM consultants?
All industries can benefit, especially sales-driven ones like retail, finance, healthcare, and tech. A skilled consultant tailors Salesforce CRM to your industry’s unique needs.
