How to Become a CRM Developer

Becoming a CRM developer is a great way to not only score a job but also put your coding skills to the test. Learning to code is a great way to break into a ton of software-related industries.

Not everyone knows this, but the customer service industry also uses coding to streamline its services. You’d be surprised at how many possibilities open up once you learn to code. You could become a game developer, web designer, and more.

Let’s learn a bit more about how to become a CRM developer and get a job in the field.

What Is a CRM Developer?

A CRM developer is a programming and coding expert who gathers customer information for companies. CRM stands for customer relationship management.

CRM developers use data from customer habits and interactions to better enhance a company’s performance. Data is everything, and CRM developers prove it every day.

What Does a CRM Developer Do?

Let’s narrow down some of the key responsibilities of a CRM developer and see what they can do for customers and companies.

Helps Companies Track, Store, and Organize Customer Data

One of the central responsibilities of a CRM developer is to help companies with their customer service. They gather information from customer habits and transfer them to a server, where they manage and analyze the data. This saves space on other company servers and puts it all in one accessible place.

A CRM developer taps into various databases of customer data and ensures all information is legible and up to date.

All companies should analyze their customer data so they can perform their best. CRM developers can help them predict trends for future business, and maintain consistency with their customer service.

Uses Various Software Tools

Like any good programmer, CRM workers use various software to monitor behavior. They’re the ones who remove digital roadblocks so companies can sell more and waste less time.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is one essential program for CRM integration. MS Dynamics is designed for customer relationship management. It allows programmers to more easily compile valuable data and harness information for future use.

CRM developers use software like MS Dynamics to crack any data-related issues and problems a company may experience.

Uses CRM Lead Generation

In business, “leads” are potential clients. Companies or salespeople are always looking for more leads to get more business.

CRM developers increase lead generation by using different methods like interacting via SMS, measuring call metrics, and sending faxes.

In sales and data, leads are the lifeblood of a company’s success. Many professionals need to build crucial sales skills to capitalize on their leads.

Essential CRM Developer Skills

Programming

Learning database programming is one great way to succeed as a CRM developer. Whether it’s through app development or web design, a potential CRM developer needs to know code.

There are tons of ways to learn coding languages, so try to find which one is right for you. Even if you consider yourself technologically illiterate, learning code is worth it to help you break into your tech career.

Web frameworks like Ruby on Rails, Python, and Django are great programming tools to utilize in the CRM field.

Social Skills

Although CRM developers will often work behind a computer screen, they still sometimes work with others. A good CRM developer needs to build a rapport with various clients, coworkers, and superiors. Without adequate social skills, a developer’s job may prove to be more difficult. Remember, communication matters.

The need for social skills harkens back to lead generation. You need to effectively reach out to people via email blasts, various offers, and more.

CRM development is an exciting mix of sales, customer service, and database management.

Problem Solving Skills

Being able to solve problems on the spot is crucial. By default, the successful CRM developer must have a solid grasp of both situational awareness and problem-solving. If they don’t, a company or individual may lose precious revenue, customer data, and more.

Unfortunately, some things in the tech world are very fragile. If a database is poorly programmed or serviced, your problem-solving skills may need to kick into gear. You need to know how to properly walk through a problem, search for practical solutions, and implement said solutions.

CRM Developer Salary

CRM developer salaries are rather impressive. According to PayScale, the average salary estimates are around $77,152. If you are a senior developer, you could make as much as $168,000. These also include MS Dynamics CRM developer salaries.

Some CRM developer salaries start at a little over $40,000, which is still pretty good for entry-level positions. You can always move up if you have the right skills.

Job Outlook for CRM Developers

In general, tech jobs like CRM development are rising in demand. Database management and all of its subfields will only grow in demand.

For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, database administration will grow by ten percent. This is much faster than average compared to most other occupations. This growth is consistent across the board, and will only increase over the coming decade.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CRM Developer?

It takes at least four years, maybe more, to become a CRM developer. The usual route is to get an undergraduate degree in computer science. If you want to supplement your education with a certification program or coding boot camp, then you can add six months to a year onto your projected timeline.

How to Become a CRM Developer: Step by Step

Now that you know a little more about CRM development, let’s see what it takes to become a CRM developer.

Step 1: Learn to program or code

Learning to code is the essential foundation of this job. If you don’t know the nuances of coding, programming, and other related subjects, you won’t succeed as a CRM developer.

Luckily, learning to program and code is pretty straightforward. You have many options available to you at any given moment. Coding is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to advance your future and current career.

Coding and programming take practice. You likely won’t learn any coding language overnight. Although learning to code is hard work, it’s worth it in the long run.

Step 2: Learn the Basics of CRM

It makes sense that a huge step in becoming a CRM developer is learning customer relationship management.

Along with adequate customer service and social skills, CRM developers need a strong background in lead generation and programming. These all meld together into the backbone of customer relationship management.

Step 3: Attend School or Get Tech Experience

While customer relationship management is a high-paying job, you may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t require a master’s degree. Like many other computer science jobs, it depends on the company you apply to and what other tech experience you have.

Having a bachelor’s degree in computer science is pretty much the norm, and for the most part, is a baseline requirement for companies.

Some companies may forgo a bachelor’s in computer science for tech experience, but this is rare. Having prior tech experience means that you have worked at other tech companies, displayed previous CRM expertise, earned a certificate, or compiled an impressive tech portfolio.

Building tech experience outside of college can be a fantastic way to avoid committing to the financial burden.

Step 4: Get Certification in CRM or a Related Program

Getting certified is a great way to show potential employers that you are an expert.

Certificates usually center on a particular skill or program. They can look great on your resume because they can concretely show that you’re good at what you do.

If you don’t have a certificate, you may write instead that you have experience with CRM principles and concepts. While that is certainly adequate, having a certification stands out a bit more.

For example, saying that you have a Microsoft Dynamics 365 certification is bound to garner positive attention. Every bit helps when applying to tech jobs, and certificates are great ways to do it.

Should You Become a CRM Developer?

Is a job in customer relationship management ideal for you? If you are interested in joining the corporate world, then yes. However, you won’t likely land jobs in cool places like Ubisoft or other video game companies.

Instead, most CRM developers find employment at small and large corporate companies. These businesses invest a lot of time and money into their customer relations. If this is more your style, then a career in CRM development should be right up your alley.

Many CRM developers end up performing sales-like activities and customer interactions. If you fancy yourself a decent coder with good customer service skills, this job might be perfect for you.

It all comes down to where you see yourself working in the tech world: somewhere corporate, or somewhere a little less structured. Regardless of what you choose, CRM development salaries may be an incentive all on their own.