In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through Salesforce.com, showing you how to navigate its interface and get started with the platform. Whether you’re an admin, developer, or business user, understanding the Salesforce UI is crucial for maximizing its potential.
What is Salesforce.com?
Salesforce.com is the web-based platform that hosts Salesforce’s CRM tools and services. It’s where users can access their Salesforce account and manage customer data, track leads, and perform various CRM tasks. The interface is designed to be user-friendly while providing powerful tools for customization.
Key Components of Salesforce.com
- Home Page
The Home Page is where users start. It typically shows important information like:- Tasks and events
- Recent records and activities
- Notifications
- Tabs and Navigation Bar
At the top, Salesforce provides a navigation bar with various tabs that allow you to access different features, such as:- Home
- Accounts
- Contacts
- Opportunities
- Reports
- Dashboards
- Global Search
The Global Search bar at the top allows you to quickly find any record, object, or feature within Salesforce. You can search for accounts, contacts, opportunities, and more. - App Launcher
The App Launcher lets you access different Salesforce apps and services, including custom applications created for your organization. You can quickly switch between different apps, such as Sales Cloud or Service Cloud. - Record Pages
Each object in Salesforce (like accounts, contacts, and opportunities) has its own record page that displays detailed information about that record. You can view, edit, and manage data directly from the record page. - Reports and Dashboards
Salesforce allows users to create detailed reports to analyze data and build dashboards for visual representation. These tools provide insights into your business performance.
Navigating Through Salesforce
- Navigating to Different Tabs
From the main navigation bar, click on any of the tabs (e.g., Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities) to see the respective records. These tabs give you an overview of the records and allow you to create new ones. - Searching for Records
Use the Global Search bar to type in keywords and find records. You can filter the results by objects like Accounts, Contacts, or Leads. Once you find a record, click on it to view detailed information. - Customizing Your Dashboard
Dashboards are highly customizable. You can add reports, charts, and graphs to create a personalized view of your most important metrics. - Creating New Records
To create a new record, navigate to the relevant tab (e.g., Accounts), then click the New button. Fill out the necessary information, save, and your new record will appear in the list. - Using the App Launcher
Click the App Launcher (grid icon) at the top-left to view and launch various apps that Salesforce offers. This helps you manage all your Salesforce tools in one place.
Tips for New Users
- Customize Your View: Salesforce allows you to customize views and add shortcuts to make your workflow faster.
- Use Chatter: Chatter is Salesforce’s internal social network. You can post updates, share files, and collaborate with your team.
- Regularly Check Reports: Set up automated reports so you can always keep track of your KPIs and business metrics.
Real-World Example
Imagine you’re a sales manager. Using Salesforce.com, you can easily:
- Track your team’s opportunities
- Check which accounts are performing well
- Monitor daily activities through custom dashboards
- Collaborate with your team via Chatter