The Absolute Beginner's Guide To Salesforce Administration from Udemy

Welcome to Salesforce.

In this course, we're going to learn what Salesforce is, why it's useful and how to customise it.

The videos will take you through all the basics of Salesforce Administration and show you, with concrete examples, how to think about, build, and enable various features on the platform, such as:

creating objects,
fields,
record types,
actions,
automations,
validations,
managing your data,
and more.

So how are we going to achieve all this? Well, we’re going to imagine we are both the CEO and initial Salesforce Administrator at Donut Revolution, a fictional business we just launched. We're going to create a Salesforce org for our company, and as new Salesforce users, we’ll start customising the platform and build various features and automations so that we can run a successful company.

This course is split into 14 sections (which are important for the Salesforce Admin exam), but the topics are structured in a way that is more realistic to an actual company’s journey with Salesforce adoption. We'll tackle a different business challenge in each section and we’ll customise the Salesforce platform accordingly, showing you step-by-step how to enable a certain feature or how to think about a particular problem.

Each section has a homework assignment for extra practice, which links to other relevant Trailhead trails / modules / projects. Many topics also have an additional (practical) assignment that allows students to attempt building a certain feature on their own before checking the solution-videos.

What is Salesforce and what does a Salesforce Admin do?

If you’re completely new to the Salesforce world you’re maybe wondering "what exactly is Salesforce, who is it for? Who uses it and what can they do on it?" and for good reason; it can be tricky to explain all the complexities of the platform at first.

#1 Customer Relationship Management platform

Well, let’s imagine that you are the CEO and first employee at Donut Revolution, a company that has big dreams of revolutionising the world of donuts. Your products are simply the best and you want the whole world to know it.

You just spent a lot of time and money investing in this business, so you should start finding companies interested in purchasing these donuts, and taking note of who you talk to, the company they represent, what their interest level in your offer was, and so on. At first it may seem like writing this down anywhere would be fine, since you’re probably calling a few different companies and only talking to about a handful of people.

But as word spreads about your tasty donuts, you probably want to track your activities in a better way otherwise your daily life is going to become an administrative nightmare of finding the right piece of paper or the right Google Sheet, and if you don’t find it, 3,000 donuts might get sent to the wrong address.

Learn how to administer your company in Salesforce

If you'll take this course, you'll know all the fundamental Salesforce Administration concepts.

We’ll start from the very basics - what are Leads? What are Opportunities? What’s a Custom Object? but by the end of this course you'll become a confident solo-Administrator, and you'll be able to tackle any Salesforce administration challenge.

Here is a partial list of what we'll talk about in this course:

Creating custom fields
Creating Record Types, Sales/Support Processes
Object Relationships
Salesforce Validation & Automation
Data Security & Sharing
Data Management tools
Lead Automation tools
Advanced Sales productivity features
Analytics (creating Reports & Dashboards)
Customer Service Management features
Organisational setup features
Using the Salesforce Mobile App
Navigating the AppExchange

And lots more.

I believe the best way to learn something new is by doing so we’re going to create this fictional company in Salesforce and then enable and build different features mentioned above as our company grows.

How is this course different to other (free) materials available online?

Assumes no previous knowledge of CRM tools / IT & Business concepts
Lots of practical examples
Contextualised learning (“learn how to do X because your company needs to track/achieve Y”)
Students are given a clear order in which to tackle various topics, so as not to get overwhelmed
Extra-assignments for more practice in each section

Who is this course for?

Any person who is interested in pursuing a Salesforce career or who wants to better understand how a company’s Salesforce org is run:

That includes:

Students
People looking for a career change
Tech enthusiasts
Anyone interested in Salesforce administration (for fun or profit)

If you're not sure if this course is for you - drop me a message.

What are the prerequisites for this course?

None. All you need is a computer and an Internet connection.

About Me

I've been in the Salesforce industry for 6 years, ever since I became an Accidental Admin in 2015.

After a few years of working in Marketing and the odd student-job, I made the switch to Salesforce and never looked back.

One of the things that helped me most in understanding how Salesforce works was building various personal projects on it from tracking daily food recipes and ingredients as custom objects to building budget reports and dashboards to keep track of my spending.

I found that concepts like Opportunities, Accounts or Custom Objects had a clearer meaning if they were backed by concrete examples and actual puzzles/problems that needed solving.

I've been a fan of learning-by-example ever since, and have designed this first Salesforce Administration course with the same principles in mind.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand all the core concepts of salesforce administration
Customise a salesforce org end-to-end (marketing >> sales >> customer service)
Create salesforce automations

Salesforce data security and sharing settings
Salesforce analytics (creating reports & dashboards)
Technical decision making

Understand all the core concepts of salesforce administration
Customise a salesforce org end-to-end (marketing >> sales >> customer service)
Create salesforce automations
Salesforce data security and sharing settings
Salesforce analytics (creating reports & dashboards)
Technical decision making

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction to the course

How to create a free/practice Salesforce org, what the basic Salesforce UI looks like, and what some of the most common Salesforce terms mean.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Students with little to no prior experience with Salesforce will benefit most from this course

This course is particularly relevant to individuals pursuing careers in Salesforce administration or seeking a deeper understanding of Salesforce org management

Includes a variety of practical examples and hands-on assignments to reinforce learning

Provides a comprehensive overview of core Salesforce administration concepts, offering a solid foundation for beginners

Covers a wide range of topics, from creating custom fields to managing data and building automations

Utilizes a practical approach by creating a fictional company in Salesforce to demonstrate real-world applications

Reviews summary

Essential salesforce admin starter

According to learners, this course is a highly effective and practical starting point for anyone new to Salesforce Administration. Students praise its beginner-friendly approach, which assumes no prior knowledge and breaks down complex concepts into digestible, step-by-step modules. The innovative 'Donut Revolution' case study provides a realistic, hands-on learning experience, allowing students to apply concepts immediately. Reviewers consistently highlight the instructor's clear explanations and the course's comprehensive coverage of core admin functionalities, making it an excellent foundation for a Salesforce career and relevant for the Salesforce Admin exam.

Provides a strong base, but advanced topics may require further study.

"This is an excellent course for beginners, it truly gives you a solid foundation to build upon."

"I now have the confidence to explore more advanced Salesforce topics on Trailhead after completing this course."

"For an absolute beginner course, it covers a lot of ground, but remember it's a start, not the end-all."

Instructor provides clear explanations and a helpful learning path.

"The instructor's explanations are very clear and easy to grasp, even for complex topics."

"I appreciated the logical flow of the lessons and how the instructor kept me engaged throughout."

"The instructor's real-world experience comes through, making the lessons practical and relatable."

Covers a wide range of fundamental Salesforce Administration concepts.

"It covered all the fundamental admin concepts I needed, from objects and fields to automation and security."

"I feel confident now in tackling basic admin challenges after going through all the sections, especially on reports and dashboards."

"The course structure aligns well with what you need to know for the Salesforce Admin exam, hitting all the key areas."

Emphasizes learning by doing through a realistic case study.

"The Donut Revolution project was genius! It made learning real and helped me see how things connect in a live org."

"I loved the practical assignments in each section; they solidified my understanding before moving on."

"Building features step-by-step in our own dev org made the concepts stick much better than just theoretical lessons."

Ideal for those with no prior Salesforce or IT experience.

"This course is truly for absolute beginners; I had no Salesforce experience, and it laid everything out clearly."

"I appreciated that it started from the very basics and built up gradually, unlike other courses that jump in too fast."

"As someone completely new to IT and CRM, I found the explanations incredibly easy to follow and understand."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Absolute Beginner's Guide To Salesforce Administration with these activities:

Review Courses

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By reviewing your prior Sales Administration and CRM coursework, you can reinforce key concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Salesforce Administration

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Review text from notes and assignments
Review previous homework assignments
Review previous quiz questions
Review previous exams

Join a Salesforce Study Group

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By joining a Salesforce study group, you can collaborate with other learners and gain different perspectives.

Browse courses on Salesforce Administration

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Find or create a Salesforce study group
Set regular meeting times
Discuss course materials and assignments
Work on projects together

Connect with Salesforce Professionals

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By connecting with Salesforce professionals, you can gain insights and guidance from experienced individuals.

Browse courses on Salesforce Administration

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Attend Salesforce community events
Join Salesforce online forums
Reach out to Salesforce professionals on LinkedIn

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Create a Salesforce Resource Repository

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By creating a Salesforce resource repository, you can organize and access relevant materials.

Browse courses on Salesforce Administration

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Gather materials from various sources
Categorize and organize the materials
Create a central repository for the materials
Share the repository with other learners

Build a Salesforce Application

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By building a Salesforce application, you can apply the concepts covered in this course to a practical project.

Browse courses on Salesforce Administration

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Identify a business problem or opportunity
Design the application
Build the application using Salesforce
Test and deploy the application

Volunteer with a Salesforce Non-profit

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By volunteering with a Salesforce non-profit, you can gain practical experience and contribute to a worthy cause.

Browse courses on Salesforce Administration

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Identify Salesforce non-profit organizations
Contact the organizations and express your interest
Participate in Salesforce-related projects
Provide support and guidance to the organization

Career center

Learners who complete The Absolute Beginner's Guide To Salesforce Administration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Salesforce Administrator

A Salesforce Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining a Salesforce instance. This includes setting up users, creating and customizing objects, and configuring security settings. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce administration, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Administrator needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Administrator

Salesforce Developer

A Salesforce Developer is responsible for developing and customizing Salesforce applications. This includes creating custom objects, fields, and Apex code. This course provides a solid foundation in Salesforce development, covering the essential concepts that a Salesforce Developer needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Developer

Salesforce Business Analyst

A Salesforce Business Analyst is responsible for understanding the business requirements of an organization and translating them into Salesforce solutions. This includes gathering requirements, creating functional specifications, and testing Salesforce implementations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce business analysis, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Business Analyst needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Business Analyst

Salesforce Architect

A Salesforce Architect is responsible for designing and implementing Salesforce solutions. This includes creating technical specifications, developing solution architectures, and managing Salesforce implementations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce architecture, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Architect needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Architect

Salesforce Consultant

A Salesforce Consultant is responsible for helping organizations implement and use Salesforce. This includes assessing business needs, developing implementation plans, and training users. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce consulting, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Consultant needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Consultant

Salesforce Project Manager

A Salesforce Project Manager is responsible for planning and managing Salesforce implementations. This includes developing project plans, managing resources, and tracking progress. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce project management, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Project Manager needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Project Manager

Salesforce Data Analyst

A Salesforce Data Analyst is responsible for analyzing Salesforce data to identify trends and insights. This includes creating reports, dashboards, and data visualizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce data analysis, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Data Analyst needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Data Analyst

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant

A Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant is responsible for helping organizations implement and use Salesforce Marketing Cloud. This includes assessing business needs, developing implementation plans, and training users. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce Marketing Cloud consulting, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Marketing Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant

A Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant is responsible for helping organizations implement and use Salesforce Service Cloud. This includes assessing business needs, developing implementation plans, and training users. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce Service Cloud consulting, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Service Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant

A Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant is responsible for helping organizations implement and use Salesforce Sales Cloud. This includes assessing business needs, developing implementation plans, and training users. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce Sales Cloud consulting, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Platform Developer

A Salesforce Platform Developer is responsible for developing and customizing Salesforce applications. This includes creating custom objects, fields, and Apex code. This course provides a solid foundation in Salesforce development, covering the essential concepts that a Salesforce Platform Developer needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Platform Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Platform Developer

Salesforce Integration Architect

A Salesforce Integration Architect is responsible for designing and implementing Salesforce integrations. This includes connecting Salesforce to other systems, such as ERP and CRM systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce integration, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Integration Architect needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Integration Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Integration Architect

Salesforce Technical Architect

A Salesforce Technical Architect is responsible for designing and implementing Salesforce solutions. This includes creating technical specifications, developing solution architectures, and managing Salesforce implementations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce architecture, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Technical Architect needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Technical Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Technical Architect

Salesforce Data Architect

A Salesforce Data Architect is responsible for designing and implementing Salesforce data models. This includes creating custom objects, fields, and relationships. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce data architecture, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Data Architect needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Data Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Data Architect

Salesforce Business Systems Analyst

A Salesforce Business Systems Analyst is responsible for understanding the business requirements of an organization and translating them into Salesforce solutions. This includes gathering requirements, creating functional specifications, and testing Salesforce implementations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Salesforce business analysis, covering all the essential topics that a Salesforce Business Systems Analyst needs to know. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Salesforce Business Systems Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Business Systems Analyst

The Absolute Beginner's Guide To Salesforce Administration

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Essential salesforce admin starter

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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