Syncing Salesforce Professional with LinkedIn Sales Navigator: What Version Do You Need?

When it comes to integrating your CRM tools, choosing the right version that meets your business needs can be crucial. This article aims to clarify whether you can sync Salesforce Professional with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and if not, whether you need the Enterprise Edition or higher. Additionally, we will discuss the limitations and possibilities of syncing data between these two powerful business tools.

Understanding the Integration Requirements

Typically, to sync Salesforce Professional with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, you need to have the Salesforce Enterprise Edition or higher. This is because the integration capabilities are more robust in the Enterprise Edition, supporting advanced features such as custom objects and enhanced API access. The Professional Edition, on the other hand, offers a more limited set of integration options.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator Integration in Salesforce Professional

One of the key functionalities provided by LinkedIn Sales Navigator is its CRM connector, which works within the context of the Sales Navigator service. However, this connector is view-only, meaning you can view company and contact information via i-frames. Unfortunately, this data is not uploaded into Salesforce. Therefore, no LinkedIn data is available for Salesforce reports, Wave, or Einstein.

It's important to note that while the CRM connector allows you to view certain pieces of information, the integration is purely one-way, and no data is flowing from Salesforce to LinkedIn. The only data that transfers from Sales Navigator to Salesforce is more limited, comprising notes, InMails, tags, and other content entered directly into the Sales Navigator application. Member data is not uploaded into Salesforce from Sales Navigator.

Advanced Integration Options for Salesforce Sales Intelligence

If you're looking for more advanced integration options that allow bidirectional data flow between Salesforce and LinkedIn, you might consider other sales intelligence vendors. Providers such as DB Hoovers, InsideView, and DiscoverOrg offer robust and comprehensive integration capabilities with Salesforce. These tools are designed to sync data seamlessly, providing valuable insights and real-time updates to your CRM system.

For example, consider DB Hoovers. This platform not only provides comprehensive data analysis but also offers easy integration with Salesforce. DB Hoovers can sync company and contact information, allowing you to enrich your Salesforce database with rich data profiles. The same can be said for InsideView and DiscoverOrg, which both offer advanced CRM integration features.

Conclusion

The choice between Salesforce Professional and the Enterprise Edition hinges on your integration needs. If you're looking for advanced and bidirectional data sync, the Enterprise Edition is the way to go. However, if you're limited to the Professional Edition, you can still benefit from the view-only CRM connector, albeit with more restricted capabilities.

Regardless of your selected edition, staying informed about the latest features and updates is crucial. LinkedIn and Salesforce both frequently update their offerings, so it's always a good idea to check the official documentation or reach out to their support teams for the most current information.

For more detailed insights on sales intelligence tools and their integration capabilities with Salesforce, read the rest of my blog posts. As an independent analyst covering the sales intelligence space, I provide valuable insights and analyses to help you make informed decisions.