The Developer Spectrum
When you need custom Salesforce work, you have options:
- •Large SI Partners (Accenture, Deloitte, etc.)
- •Mid-size Salesforce Consultancies
- •Freelance Developers
- •Specialized Boutique Firms
Each has tradeoffs. Here's what to consider.
Large SI Partners
Pros: Resources, established methodologies, enterprise experience
Cons: High minimums ($100K+), junior staff on projects, slow to start, bureaucratic
Best for: Enterprise companies with complex, multi-year implementations
Freelancers
Pros: Affordable, flexible, fast to engage
Cons: Availability issues, limited skill breadth, no backup if they leave
Best for: Simple, well-defined projects with clear scope
Mid-size Consultancies
Pros: Balance of capability and cost, established processes
Cons: Often focused on standard implementations, may lack custom development depth
Best for: Standard Salesforce deployments with some customization
Specialized Boutique Firms
Pros: Deep technical expertise, senior talent, right-sized for mid-market
Cons: Smaller teams, may have capacity constraints
Best for: Custom development, complex integrations, projects that need both Salesforce and backend expertise
What to Look For
1. Relevant Experience
Ask for examples of similar projects. If you need an ERP integration, have they done ERP integrations?
2. Technical Depth
Can they explain their approach technically? Or do they just talk in generalities?
3. Discovery Process
Do they want to understand your business first? Or do they jump straight to solutions?
4. Who Does the Work
Will the people you talk to be the ones building? Or will your project be handed off to junior developers?
5. Communication Style
How responsive are they during the sales process? That's usually a preview of how they'll communicate during the project.
Red Flags
- •Can't provide relevant references
- •Won't explain technical approach in plain terms
- •Pushes solutions before understanding your needs
- •Vague about who will actually do the work
- •Overpromises on timeline or complexity
Our Approach
We start every engagement with a Discovery Sprint. Before committing to a large project, you see exactly how we work and what we deliver. No surprises.