How to Create a Free Salesforce Developer Edition Account?

As the world increasingly becomes digital, the demand for skilled Salesforce developers is growing more than ever. Salesforce is a leading CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform that helps organizations keep track of customer data, sales, service, and other key information. If you want to get into Salesforce development, one of the first things you’ll need is a Salesforce developer edition, a.k.a developer org account.

Fortunately, creating a Salesforce developer org account is simple, easy to register, and accessible. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps needed to create a free developer edition Salesforce account, including signing up and setting up the org, so that you can test Salesforce features with hands-on experience.

Why Do You Need a Salesforce Developer Org?

A Salesforce dev org gives you access to the Salesforce platform to build custom applications on top of it or integrate your existing applications with Salesforce. 

Having a Salesforce dev org also gives you access to several other resources that can be helpful when developing applications on the Salesforce platform, such as: 

Creating Up to 10 Custom Objects

The ability to create custom fields and tailor the Salesforce data model to your specific needs is one of the main advantages of having a developer account. You can use custom objects to store data specific to your business and build bespoke applications on top of Salesforce that use this data.

The Ability to Use the Salesforce API

The Salesforce API is a powerful tool that allows you to connect your existing applications with Salesforce or build new applications that use Salesforce data. Having a developer account gives you access to the Salesforce API to start integrating your applications with Salesforce.

The Ability to Deploy Your Applications to Production

Once you have developed an application on the Salesforce platform, you can use a developer account to deploy it to production. Your application will be available to users in your Salesforce organization, and you can use it to drive business value.

A Free Trial of the Force.com Platform

The Force.com platform is a robust set of tools that enables you to build applications on the Salesforce platform. Having a developer account gives you access to a free trial of the Force.com platform so that you can try it out and see how it can help you develop applications on Salesforce.

Access to the Salesforce Developer Forum

The Salesforce Developer Forum is an excellent resource for developers working on the Salesforce platform. A developer account gives you access to this forum to get help from other developers and share your insights and tips.

How to Create a Free Salesforce Developer Account?

Creating a free Salesforce developer account is a great way to start with Salesforce development. Following are the steps to take to create a Salesforce Developer Account:

1. Salesforce Account

The first step in opening a Salesforce Developer Account is to create an account on the Salesforce platform. This can be done by visiting the Salesforce website and clicking the “Sign Up” button.

From there, users will be asked to provide their contact information, such as their name, email address, and phone number. Once this information is provided, users will be asked to create a username and password for their account. After this is completed, users can access the Salesforce platform and be taken to the Salesforce homepage to begin setting up their environment.

2. Salesforce Developer Account

The next step in opening a Salesforce Developer Account is to select the type of account that best suits their needs. Three reports are available: Developer Edition, Enterprise Edition, and Unlimited Edition. 

The Developer Edition is best suited for those just starting with Salesforce who want to learn the basics. 

The Enterprise Edition is best for those who need more advanced features and tools, while the Unlimited Edition is best for those who need access to all of Salesforce’s features and tools.

Once the user has signed into the Salesforce Platform, they must set up their environment. This includes selecting a development language, such as Apex or Visualforce, and setting up a development environment. Users can also use an integrated development environment (IDE) like Eclipse or IntelliJ. Once the environment is set up, the user can begin writing code and building applications.

Easy Steps to Follow

1. Look up “Salesforce” on the internet and explore their website. Look for the “Developers” tab on their website.
2.  Click on “Get Started for Free.” You will be asked to create a free account.
3. You can also directly go to https://developer.salesforce.com and skip step-1 and 2.
4. Fill out the necessary information to create your account. This will include your name, email, and setting up the password.
5. Verify your email address. You must click the link in Salesforce’s email to authenticate your account.
6. After you have confirmed your email address, you will be redirected to the Salesforce website.

3. Configuring the Account

The next step in creating a free Salesforce developer account is to configure the account. This includes setting up user permissions, creating custom objects, and setting security settings. Users can also create custom fields and tabs to customize their accounts further. Once the account is configured, the user can begin building applications and solutions.

4. Testing Applications

Once the user has created their applications, they will need to test them to ensure they are working correctly. This can be done by running unit tests or using a sandbox environment. Users can also debug their code and view logs using the Salesforce Developer Console. Once the applications are tested and working correctly, they can be deployed to production.

Benefits of Having a Salesforce Developer Account

Salesforce is a robust CRM platform consolidating a company’s customer interaction, including all related data, sales, and marketing activities. There are many benefits of having a Salesforce developer account, including the following:-

1. Ability to Create Custom Applications

   A developer account allows you to create custom applications on the Salesforce platform. This means you can tailor Salesforce to meet your business’s or your client’s needs.

2. Increased Productivity

   By having all of your customer data in one place and by being able to automate sales and marketing processes with custom applications, a Salesforce developer account can help increase your productivity.

3. Improved Customer Service

   With a Salesforce developer account, you can build custom applications that can help improve your customer service. For example, you could create an application that automatically generates a support ticket when a customer asks a question.

4. Better Decision-Making

   A Salesforce developer account can improve your company’s decision-making thanks to centralizing your customer data and providing insights into your sales and marketing efforts.

5. Access to a Wealth of Resources

   As a Salesforce developer, you will have access to a wealth of resources, including:

• The Salesforce Developer Center: This is a one-stop shop for all things Salesforce development, including developer resources, downloads, Trailhead modules, and more.
• The Salesforce AppExchange: This is an online marketplace where you can find Salesforce-compatible applications and add-ons.
• Salesforce User Groups: These are online and offline communities of Salesforce users and developers where you can network, collaborate, and learn from others.

Conclusion

A Salesforce developer account benefits anyone starting with Salesforce development. It is free to create an account and provides access to a wealth of resources and support to help you get started quickly and easily.

If you still have doubts, you can directly interact with our Salesforce professionals, who have decades of experience in the industry. Join the saasguru Slack Community.