Does the steep cost of Salesforce courses and certifications make you hesitant about learning/upskilling your Salesforce knowledge? Well, the Salesforce world is an equitable, democratic one, and there are plenty of Salesforce certifications, courses, and knowledge bases available for free. What’s more, we’ve compiled the list for you. No matter whether you are a seasoned Salesforce consultant looking to expand your skill set, a fresh graduate eager to launch your career, or looking to switch to a career in Salesforce, these links offer a wealth of Salesforce resources. And there’s no catch here – explore a variety of the best Salesforce online training and certifications – absolutely free! Read on to unlock a treasure chest of resources that credibly enhances your career.
#1. Salesforce Fundamentals (The Free Course)
Ready to take your learning to the next level? Begin with Salesforce Fundamentals, a free, virtual, three-week program. This is ideal for Salesforce enthusiasts looking to dive deeper into the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to learn about real-world business use cases and possible career paths, and even interact with Salesforce experts.
Here’s what makes this course a game-changer:
- Comprehensive Overview: This course will provide a holistic understanding of Salesforce products, features, and the wider ecosystem.
- Live, Expert-Led Sessions: Get trained directly from the Salesforce pros where you get to ask questions in real-time.
- On-Demand Recordings: Did you miss a session? No problem! All their sessions are recorded, so you can access those at your convenience.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow learners and build your professional network.
#2. Explore the Salesforce Trailhead
Trailhead isn’t just a learning platform; it houses a range of gamified courses designed to transform you into a Salesforce expert. While you can avail of Salesforce certification for free over here, Trailhead can also be your one-stop-shop for everything Salesforce. You get over 1,000 modules (and counting!), interactive quizzes, and hands-on challenges in a virtual “playground” environment. Stats speak – Over 50% of Trailblazers (those who complete Trailhead) report earning a raise or a promotion after completing the course.
Here’s what you can expect from Trailhead:
- Structured Learning Paths: Pick guided trails tailored to specific roles (Admin, Developer, etc.) and areas of interest (Sales Cloud, Service Cloud).
- Real-World Simulations: Get your hands dirty with realistic scenarios that help build in-demand skills in the Salesforce hiring market.
- Community Power: Connect with fellow Trailblazers, ask questions, share insights, and become a part of a community that helps you even during professional bottlenecks.
- Gamification for Motivation: Earn points, badges, and super badges as you progress to keep you engaged and motivated.
#3. Practice The Learnings on Developer Edition Org
To truly excel in Salesforce, hands-on experience is essential for gaining confidence. That’s where a free Developer Edition (DE) org comes in. DE org is a key platform that helps learners gain practical experience. The more you use it, the more confident and capable you’ll become. Treat DE as your personal Salesforce sandbox that provides a safe environment. Here, you can experiment, build applications, test functionalities, and sharpen your skills without any real-world consequences.
Here are some pointers to make the most of your DE org:
- Replicate Trailhead Challenges: Learn over Trailhead and use DE to practice your skills and enhance your confidence.
- Build Custom Apps: Use DE to build simple applications by automating tasks or addressing specific needs.
- Test Configurations: Experiment with different settings and configurations to understand their real-world impact.
- Integrate with Other Tools: Experience and understand the way how you can connect Salesforce with other applications like Gmail, Slack, or your favorite project management tool.
#4. Experiment with Free Salesforce Apps
Explore the Salesforce AppExchange — a vast marketplace with 5,000+ applications that extends the functionality of your Salesforce knowledge. Plenty of these apps provide free versions or trials that help you explore their features and benefits without any financial commitment.
Note that AppExchange is constantly evolving, so you’ll need to browse regularly and discover new tools.
Here’s what experimenting with free apps offers:
- Discover New Possibilities: Explore different ways to customize apps based on different needs.
- Learn by Doing: Get unmatched hands-on experience with different apps and their configurations.
- Build Your Portfolio: Showcase your app installation and configuration skills to potential employers by building a portfolio.
#5. Salesforce Talent Alliance
Tap into the Salesforce Talent Alliance — a network of businesses and educational institutions. This network is committed to closing the skills gap and creating opportunities for individuals looking to boost their careers in the Salesforce ecosystem.
There’s also an initiative called Talent Alliance Career Cohorts (TAAC) that helps accelerate the careers of underrepresented communities who have completed Salesforce Fundamentals. Talent Alliance is a great way to expand your career network, discover potential job opportunities, and leverage valuable resources to accelerate your Salesforce journey.
Here’s how the Talent Alliance can benefit you:
- Job Boards: Get a curated list of Salesforce job openings from partner companies and customers.
- Training and Development: Discover key training program details and resources offered by Talent Alliance members.
- Networking Events: Employers also look for Salesforce Talent Alliance to Connect with job seekers over Talent Alliance-sponsored events.
- Community Resources: The Talent Alliance community can help provide the collective knowledge and support to advance your career.
For paid options for Salesforce certifications, read our Ultimate Guide to Salesforce Certifications
Free Salesforce Certification in Data Protection
Kickstart your journey of learning Salesforce for free with the above list of free Salesforce resources, courses, and free Salesforce certifications. However, to truly thrive in the Salesforce ecosystem, you need to understand the critical importance of data protection. CloudAlly Academy, in partnership with Francis Pindar, an 8X MVP and part of the prestigious Salesforce Hall of Fame, brings to you a comprehensive guide to Salesforce Data Protection. Our flagship course, Principles of Salesforce SaaS Data Protection with Francis Pindar, free for a limited time, will help you uncover any hidden risks in your Salesforce data with practical pointers and hands-on labs. By mastering how to protect against both internal and external threats, as well as swiftly recovering from data disasters, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in your Salesforce endeavors. Best of all, it is an absolutely free Salesforce course with a certificate and badge to showcase your skills.
Key learning takeaways:
- Understand the types of privacy issues facing Salesforce users.
- Gain insights into legal and regulatory compliance for Salesforce data.
- Learn how you can minimize data risks and protect your organization’s reputation.
- Develop a comprehensive data protection strategy that is suitable for your Salesforce environment.
