Most companies shopping for Salesforce integration services get burned — not by outright scams, but by misaligned expectations. They pay for something that technically works but doesn't actually solve their problem.
This guide covers what to look for, what to avoid, and how to tell if you even need integration services in the first place.
Integration Approaches by Complexity
What Are Salesforce Integration Services?
Salesforce integration services connect your CRM to other tools your business runs on — email, marketing platforms, ERPs, accounting software, support systems, you name it.
The goal is simple: stop copying data between systems manually. When a deal closes in Salesforce, your invoicing tool should know. When a support ticket escalates, your sales rep should see it.
There are three main approaches:
Native integrations — Built-in connectors from Salesforce AppExchange. Quick to set up, limited flexibility. Works for standard use cases.
Middleware platforms — Tools like n8n that sit between systems and handle the data flow. More flexible, can handle complex logic, and you own the workflow.
Custom API development — Direct code connecting systems. Maximum control, highest complexity. Usually overkill unless you have very specific requirements.
Most businesses need middleware. Native integrations are too rigid, custom development is too expensive for what they actually need.
What Integrations Does Salesforce Support?
Salesforce can connect to almost anything with an API. The common ones we see:
Communication: Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Microsoft Teams
Marketing: HubSpot, Mailchimp, Marketo, Pardot
Finance: QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, NetSuite
Support: Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk
Operations: Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, custom ERPs
The question isn't whether Salesforce can integrate — it's whether the integration will actually work the way your business operates. A Gmail integration that syncs emails is easy. A Gmail integration that automatically creates follow-up tasks based on email content and deal stage? That requires thought.
If you're already using Salesforce Flow for internal automation, integrations should extend that logic across systems. See our complete guide to Salesforce Flow for how that works.
How Much Do Salesforce Integration Services Cost?
Here's where most buyers get confused. Prices range from $200 to $50,000+ depending on what you're actually buying.
Templates and pre-built connectors: $200–$800
You're getting a generic setup. "Connect Salesforce to Slack" with zero customization. Fine if your process matches exactly what the template does. Rarely the case.
Custom integration services: $2,000–$5,000
Someone maps your actual workflow, builds logic specific to your business, tests edge cases, and documents how it works. This is what most businesses need.
Enterprise implementations: $10,000+
Multiple systems, complex data transformations, compliance requirements, ongoing managed services. Usually involves dedicated Salesforce managed services contracts.
The red flag: if someone quotes you $500 for a "custom" integration, you're getting a template with your logo on the invoice. Real custom work takes time — discovery, building, testing, revisions. That has a cost.
Custom vs Template Integration
How Do You Calculate ROI on Integration Services?
The math is straightforward: how much time does manual work cost you, and how much does automation save?
Most CRM automation services pay for themselves within 2-3 months. A $3,000 integration that saves your team 10 hours per week at $50/hour equivalent? That's $2,000/month in recovered productivity.
For a deeper breakdown on measuring automation ROI, see our CFO's guide to AI ROI.
Not sure what your numbers look like? Use our calculator to estimate:
What type of task do you want to automate?
How Long Does a Salesforce Integration Take?
Timelines depend on complexity and how decisive you are in the discovery phase.
Simple integrations (1-2 weeks): Single system connection, standard data sync, minimal custom logic. Example: sync new Salesforce contacts to Mailchimp.
Medium complexity (2-4 weeks): Multiple triggers, conditional logic, some data transformation. Example: when a deal closes, create invoice in QuickBooks, notify team in Slack, update project tracker.
Complex integrations (4-8 weeks): Multiple systems, bi-directional sync, error handling, compliance requirements. Example: full ERP integration with inventory management and financial reporting.
Typical Project Timelines
The biggest delays usually aren't technical — they're waiting for decisions on how the business process should actually work.
What Should You Look For in a Salesforce Integration Partner?
They ask about your process first, not your tools.
Anyone can connect two APIs. The value is in understanding why you need them connected and what happens in edge cases. If the first question is "which systems?" instead of "what are you trying to accomplish?" — that's a red flag.
They scope before they quote.
A fixed price before understanding your workflow means they're either padding heavily or planning to cut corners. Good business process automation services require discovery.
They document everything.
You should know exactly what was built, how it works, and how to modify it later. If the integration lives in someone's head, you're locked in forever.
They test with real scenarios.
Not just "does data flow" but "what happens when the API times out, when data is malformed, when someone deletes a record they shouldn't have."
Have specific questions about your integration needs? Book a 30-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's something we can help with.
What Are the Red Flags to Avoid?
"We can integrate anything in 24 hours"
No. Not if it's custom. This means templates or they're underestimating scope.
No discovery process
If they jump straight to building without understanding your workflow, you'll pay for rework later.
Vague pricing
"It depends" is fine initially. "We'll figure it out as we go" is not. You should have a clear scope and price before work starts.
No mention of maintenance
Integrations break. APIs change. You need to know who handles that and what it costs.
They only talk about Salesforce
Integration is about connecting systems. If they don't understand your other tools deeply, the integration will be Salesforce-centric and awkward everywhere else.
When Should You Skip Integration Services Entirely?
Honest answer: sometimes you don't need custom work.
Your process is standard. If you just need "new lead in Salesforce → email notification," a native connector or simple n8n workflow handles that. Don't pay for custom services on commodity problems.
You're still figuring out your process. Automating a broken workflow just makes it break faster. Fix the process first, automate second.
Volume is low. If it happens twice a week, maybe manual is fine. Automation makes sense when the time savings compound.
You have internal technical capacity. If you have developers who understand both systems, they might handle it faster than onboarding an external team.
Not sure which category you fall into? Get in touch — we'll give you a straight answer, even if that answer is "you don't need us."
Bottom Line
Salesforce integration services range from commodity templates to complex custom builds. Know which one you need before you buy.
Custom work costs $2,000–$5,000 and takes 2-4 weeks for most business cases. Anyone promising dramatically less is selling you something different than what you're expecting.
Look for partners who understand your process, scope properly, document their work, and are honest about what you actually need — even when the answer is "not much."