Table of Contents
Today we’re looking at the best Salesforce books for this year.
🧠 Did you know? According to Revolve, 89% of Fortune 100 companies use at least one Salesforce app.
What is Salesforce?
Salesforce is a cloud-based software company that provides customer relation management (CRM) services. This includes helping companies streamline processes and increase profitability while staying connected to customers.
Salesforce also provides enterprise applications for:
✅ customer service
✅ marketing automation
✅ application development
And more.
What are some companies that use Salesforce?
According to CRS Info Solutions, some major companies use Salesforce including:
- Canon
- Spotify
- U.S. Bank
- American Express
- Amazon Web Services
- The Hershey Company
And more.
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TLDR: Best Salesforce Books
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company-and Revolutionized an Industry
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Salesforce for Beginners
💸 Best Value 💸
Salesforce For Dummies
Best Salesforce Books
Now let’s look at some of the best Salesforce books of this year.
You’ll discover their:
- features
- core concepts
- layout
- comparisons
And more.
Books are organized by:
✅ General Salesforce books
✅ Salesforce books to learn Apex
✅ Books for becoming Salesforce Certified and Advancing Your Career
General Salesforce Books
1. Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company-and Revolutionized an Industry
↘️ Ideal for: anyone curious about the history of Salesforce
↘️ Topics covered: story of Salesforce progression
Behind the Cloud is written by Marc Benioff. He’s the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Salesforce.
Best Overall:
- Learn the history of Salesforce
- Use strategies to inspire empolyees
- Expand innovation
➡️ In our opinion, Behind the Cloud is one of the best Salesforce books overall.
That’s because it reveals the history and progression of Salesforce.
You’ll learn how Benioff and his team used business, technology, and philanthropic models to spark this $46 billion industry.
You’ll also discover how Salesforce not only survived the dotcom bubble, but how it went on to be a leader of the cloud computing revolution.
Finally, you’ll uncover the strategies used to:
✅ inspire employees
✅ expand innovation
✅ turn customers into evangelists
And much, much more.
2. Salesforce for Beginners
↘️ Ideal for: Salesforce newbies
↘️ Topics covered: Salesforce, CRM, setup and configuration
While we think everyone should read Behind the Cloud, Salesforce for Beginners is a guide for developers.
Best for Beginners:
- Use Salesforce for sales, service and marketing
- Create and manage leads
- Explore business development
➡️ We think Salesforce for Beginners is one of the best Salesforce books for beginners.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to use Salesforce for:
✅ sales
✅ service
✅ marketing
✅ automating business processes
And beyond.
You’ll also learn how to create and manage leads while learning the difference between Salesforce Lightning and Classic.
In addition, you’ll explore business development, sales processes, marketing goals and business analysis.
3. Salesforce For Dummies
↘️ Ideal for: Salesforce newbies
↘️ Topics covered: customization, management
Salesforce for Dummies is similar to Salesforce for Beginners, but it’s a little easier on the wallet.
Best Value:
- Learn how to use apps, widgets and tools
- Drive sales
- Explore prospective leads
➡️ Salesforce For Dummies is one of the best Salesforce books for developers on a budget.
It was written by Salesforce insiders Liz Kao and Jon Paz.
You’ll learn how to use apps, widgets and tools to customize the user interface.
In addition, you’ll discover how to:
✅ prospect leads
✅ drive sales
✅ provide customer service
Finally, you’ll explore managing contacts, analyzing results and using Chatter to collaborate with colleagues.
4. Practical Salesforce Development Without Code
↘️ Ideal for: Salesforce newbies
↘️ Topics covered: automating business processes, managing environments, deploying solutions
Similar to Salesforce For Dummies, you won’t learn any code with Practical Salesforce Development Without Code.
➡️ Practical Salesforce Development Without Code is arguably one of the best Salesforce books for developers who struggle with code.
You’ll learn how to use Salesforce to deliver business solutions by using analysis, creativity and logic.
This how-to guide is packed with real-world business scenarios that will teach you how to:
✅ build objects
✅ develop approval processes
✅ automate business processes
✅ manage your environments
✅ deploy your solutions
All without using a single line of code.
You’ll also learn how to employ actions in order to create relevant user experiences.
5. Salesforce Architect’s Handbook
↘️ Ideal for: Salesforce professionals
↘️ Topics covered: architecture, best practices
Salesforce Architect’s Handbook is different than any other Salesforce book on our list so far.
That’s because this book is for Salesforce professionals who want to learn architecture and industry best practices.
➡️ Salesforce Architect’s Handbook is possibly one of the best Salesforce books for Salesforce professionals.
You’ll start with a detailed overview of the Salesforce architectural framework and its technology.
Then you’ll get to know the seven architectural domains and their intricacies.
You’ll also:
✅ become familiar with the most common Salesforce products
✅ understand data architecture design and security architecture
✅ learn strategies to design mobile solutions using Salesforce
Finally, you’ll touch on DevOps and Development Lifecycle principles.
6. Mastering Salesforce DevOps
↘️ Ideal for: Salesforce professionals
↘️ Topics covered:
We think Mastering Salesforce DevOps is the next logical book to read after Salesforce Architect’s Handbook.
While Salesforce Architect’s Handbook touches on DevOps, this book takes a deep dive into DevOps concepts.
➡️ We believe Mastering Salesforce DevOps is one of the best Salesforce books for learning DevOps.
In this practical guide, you’ll fully immerse yourself in the combination of Software as a Service (SaaS) and DevOps.
You’ll learn the goals and methods of DevOps including building a powerful, comprehensive workflow for Salesforce.
This will enable you to:
✅ ensure continuous delivery
✅ apply a full range of automated tests
✅ allow admins to participate in developer workflow
✅ build packages and architect code for easy deployment
✅ improve software delivery performance using Salesforce DX
And beyond.
Salesforce Books to Learn Apex
Apex is a strongly typed object-oriented programming language. It enables developers to execute transaction control statements on Lightning.
Its syntax is similar to Java and behaves like database stored procedures.
With Apex, developers can add business logic to system events like:
✅ button clicks
✅ record updates
✅ Visualforce pages
And beyond.
7. Learning Salesforce Development with Apex
↘️ Ideal for: Apex newbies
↘️ Topics covered: using Apex to build Salesforce Applications
With this book, you’ll learn how to write, run and deploy Apex code to build Salesforce applications.
➡️ We believe Learning Salesforce Development with Apex is one of the best Salesforce books to learn Apex code.
You’ll learn the fundamentals of Apex from the ground up so you can build scalable applications.
While exploring best practices, you’ll learn how to:
✅ work with Apex
✅ develop Apex Triggers
✅ use SOSL and SOQL to retrieve data
✅ write object-oriented Salesforce code
And more.
8. Mastering Apex Programming
↘️ Ideal for: experienced Apex programmers, Java and C# developers
↘️ Topics covered: mistakes, debugging, testing, security
Unlike Learning Salesforce Development with Apex, Mastering Apex Programming is for developers familiar with Apex.
➡️ Mastering Apex Programming is arguably one of the best Salesforce books for experienced Apex programmers.
With this comprehensive guide, you’ll explore the advanced features of Apex programming like debugging, exception handling and testing.
In the process, you’ll learn about:
✅ avoiding common mistakes
✅ improving the performance of your Apex code
✅ how to use asynchronous programming tools
And beyond.
By the end of this book, you should be able to build robust, scalable Apex applications.
9. Advanced Apex Programming in Salesforce
↘️ Ideal for: Java and C# developers moving to Apex
↘️ Topics covered: core design patterns
Advanced Apex Programming in Salesforce is similar to Mastering Apex Programming.
But here you’ll explore Apex’s core design patterns.
➡️ Advanced Apex Programming in Salesforce is possibly one of the best Salesforce books for learning how to think in Apex.
In addition to learning best practices, you’ll explore how to develop architectures for trigger handling and asynchronous operations.
You’ll also tackle different approaches for incorporating testing and diagnostic code.
Throughout the book, you’ll focus on real-world examples of what Apex developers face on a daily basis.
Salesforce Books for Becoming Certified and Advancing Your Career
10. The Salesforce Career Playbook
↘️ Ideal for: those experienced in Salesforce
↘️ Topics covered: starting and advancing your Salesforce career
This book is unlike any other book on our list.
That’s because this is for experienced Salesforce users that are ready to climb the professional ladder.
➡️ We believe The Salesforce Career Playbook is one of the best Salesforce books for advancing your career.
You’ll find plenty of case studies and advice that will help you:
✅ sift through available careers
✅ find job opportunities that showcase your skills
✅ learn insider tips and strategies for advancing your career
And more.
11. Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Guide
↘️ Ideal for: certified Salesforce administrators preparing for Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification
↘️ Topics covered: Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification
This is the only book on our list that covers this certification level.
➡️ Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Guide may be one of the best Salesforce books for earning your Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification.
It goes beyond administrator certification and covers advanced platform features like:
✅ configuration
✅ automation
✅ security
✅ customization
In addition, you’ll discover data model management, content management, file organization and automation tools.
Finally, you’ll explore mock exam questions while you learn best practices.
By the end of this book, you should be able to earn your advanced administrator credentials.
12. Becoming a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect
↘️ Ideal for: Salesforce architects who want to become certified
↘️ Topics covered: Salesforce Technical Architect certification
In this book, you’ll learn how to build secure and scalable Salesforce solutions to meet business demands.
➡️ We think Becoming a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect is one of the best Salesforce books for becoming a certified technical architect.
Packed with real-world examples, you’ll learn how to:
✅ learn how to design scalable and reliable solutions on Lightning
✅ build an end-to-end delivery framework pipeline
✅ interact with skilled Salesforce professionals
Along the way, you’ll uncover the data lifecycle, integration and security.
By the end of this book, you should be able to pass the review board exam.
Best Salesforce Books: Conclusion
Today we looked at the best Salesforce books including:
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company-and Revolutionized an Industry
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Salesforce for Beginners
💸 Best Value 💸
Salesforce For Dummies
So whether you’re just getting started with Salesforce or want to get certified, we think these are the best Salesforce books for this year.
Readers of Best Salesforce Books are also reading:
What is Salesforce?
Salesforce is a cloud-based software company that provides customer relation management (CRM) services. This includes helping companies streamline processes and increase profitability while staying connected to customers. Salesforce also provides enterprise applications for customer service, marketing automation, application development and more. Learn more about Salesforce in today’s post where we’re looking at some of the best Salesforce books for this year.
Where can I learn about Salesforce certification?
Books can be a solid place to learn about Salesforce certification. There are 2 books in particular we like. The first is Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Guide, and the second is Becoming a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect. Learn more about these books in today’s article.
How can I become a Salesforce developer?
Books are considered by many to be a great resource for learning how to become a Salesforce developer. In today’s post, we’re looking at some of the best Salesforce books for this year. So whether you’re just getting started or are preparing for your certification, we think these are the best Salesforce books to help you learn how to become a Salesforce developer.
What are some companies that use Salesforce?
According to CRS Info Solutions, some major companies use Salesforce including Canon, Spotify, U.S. Bank, American Express, Amazon Web Services, The Hershey Company and more. Learn more about Salesforce in today’s article where we’re looking at some of the best books to learn Salesforce.
Is the Behind the Cloud book worth it?
Yes, we think Behind the Cloud is worth it. You’ll learn how Marc Benioff and his team used business, technology, and philanthropic models to spark this $46 billion industry. You’ll also discover how Salesforce not only survived the dotcom bubble, but how it went on to be a leader of the cloud computing revolution. Learn more about Behind the Cloud in today’s post where we’re looking at the best Salesforce books for this year.
Is the book Salesforce for Beginners worth it?
Yes, we think Salesforce for Beginners is worth it. You’ll also learn how to create and manage leads while learning the difference between Salesforce Lightning and Classic. In addition, you’ll explore business development, sales processes, marketing goals and business analysis. Learn more about Salesforce for Beginners in today’s article where we’re looking at some of the best Salesforce books.
What are the best Salesforce books?
In our opinion, some of the best Salesforce books include our favorite overall, Behind the Cloud. For newbies, we like Salesforce for Beginners. And for best value, we like Salesforce for Dummies. Learn more about these best Salesforce books in today’s post.