Salesforce Cloud Integration: SFMC Integration with Salesforce CRM

Author

mirketa

February 27, 2024

Introduction

Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) Integration with Salesforce CRM is essential for seamless customer engagement. This Salesforce Cloud Integration allows you to store client data, send targeted emails, and track customer interactions directly within Salesforce. With the Marketing Cloud Connector, marketing teams can send emails from Salesforce CRM and monitor engagement data in real time.

This guide outlines the complete process for integrating SFMC with Salesforce CRM, enabling robust marketing automation and cross-platform insights.

Step-by-Step Guide: Integrate Salesforce Marketing Cloud with Salesforce CRM

1. Install the Salesforce Marketing Cloud Package

To begin your Salesforce Cloud Integration:

Sandbox Org Installation:
Install from Sandbox
Production Org Installation:
Install from Production

Steps:

Log in and select the installation scope (Admins only / All users / Specific profiles).
Click Install ➔ Confirm by selecting Continue.

2. Configure Page Layouts for User Permissions

Navigate to Setup ➔ Object Manager ➔ User ➔ Page Layouts.

Edit the layout and add:

Marketing Cloud for AppExchange User
Marketing Cloud for AppExchange Admin

Save the layout.

3. Set Up Salesforce System User for SFMC

Go to Setup ➔ Users ➔ Edit the Salesforce CRM Administrator.
Confirm the user has a System Administrator profile.
Activate:

Marketing Cloud for AppExchange User
Marketing Cloud for AppExchange Admin

4. Click Save.

4. Configure the Salesforce Connected App

Navigate to Setup ➔ Apps ➔ Connected Apps ➔ Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
Click Edit Policies and set:

Permitted Users: Admin approved users are pre-authorized
IP Relaxation: Relax IP restrictions
Refresh Token Policy: Immediately expire refresh token

3. Click Save.

5. Log into Marketing Cloud

In Email Studio, go to Admin ➔ Salesforce Integration ➔ Edit.
Select Scope by User (if applicable).
Click Upgrade to Connection ➔ Connect Account.
Log in using your Salesforce system user if prompted.
Complete the login process.

6. Create and Configure a Marketing Cloud API User

In Email Studio ➔ Admin ➔ My Users, select the API user.
Click Manage Roles ➔ Edit Roles ➔ Assign:

Administrator
Marketing Cloud Administrator

4. Save your changes.
5. Edit the user again ➔ Check API User ➔ Save.

7. Link the Marketing Cloud API User

In Email Studio ➔ Admin ➔ My Users, select the API user.
Click Integrate for Salesforce.com Status.
Enter the Salesforce username ➔ Click Save.
Ensure the Salesforce.com Status shows Integrated.

8. Designate Business Units in SFMC

Go to Email Studio ➔ Admin ➔ My Users ➔ API User ➔ Manage Business Units.
Select all applicable business units ➔ Click Save.
Go to Setup ➔ Manage Users ➔ Permission Sets:

Click New ➔ Name it (e.g., SFMC Connected App) ➔ Save.
Click the permission set ➔ Manage Assignments ➔ Add Assignments.
Select and assign the relevant users.

9. Add ‘Email Opt Out’ Field to Lead and Contact Objects

Navigate to Setup ➔ Object Manager ➔ Lead/Contact ➔ Page Layouts.
Edit the layout ➔ Add the Email Opt Out field ➔ Save.

This ensures that when a subscriber unsubscribes, the Email Opt Out field updates in Salesforce.

10. Configure Salesforce Sales & Service Cloud Settings

Go to Setup ➔ App Manager ➔ Connected Apps (Salesforce Marketing Cloud).
Select Manage ➔ Manage Permission Sets.
Assign the newly created permission set.

11. Final Connection to Salesforce Marketing Cloud

From the App Launcher, open the Marketing Cloud tab.
If using a Sandbox, click Advanced Settings ➔ Choose Sandbox environment.
Verify Remote Site Settings ➔ Click Verify Remote Site.
Choose Automatic Setup ➔ Start Wizard.
Click Connect to Marketing Cloud.
Enter Marketing Cloud API User credentials ➔ Click Login.

Conclusion: Successfully Achieve Salesforce Cloud Integration

Once all steps are completed, Salesforce CRM and Marketing Cloud are fully integrated. This Salesforce Cloud Integration provides marketers with a unified platform for managing customer journeys, email campaigns, and engagement tracking—directly within Salesforce CRM.

For organizations seeking streamlined SFMC integration with Salesforce, following this guide ensures a secure, scalable, and powerful connection between systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Salesforce Cloud Integration?

Salesforce Cloud Integration is the process of connecting Salesforce CRM with other cloud-based applications, like Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC), to enable seamless data flow and unified user experiences.

2. Why is Salesforce Cloud Integration important for Marketing Cloud?

Salesforce Cloud Integration ensures Marketing Cloud and Salesforce CRM share customer data in real time. This allows for personalized marketing campaigns, centralized tracking, and improved automation.

3. How do I set up Salesforce Cloud Integration with SFMC?

To set up Salesforce Cloud Integration with SFMC, you need to install the Marketing Cloud package in Salesforce, configure user roles, connect via a Connected App, and link your API user to complete the integration.

4. What are the benefits of integrating Salesforce CRM and Marketing Cloud?

Salesforce Cloud Integration offers benefits like real-time customer data sync, automated email campaigns, improved lead nurturing, and comprehensive engagement analytics—all within Salesforce.

5. What user permissions are required for Salesforce Cloud Integration?

For successful Salesforce Cloud Integration, assign the system administrator profile, enable Marketing Cloud AppExchange permissions, and assign the correct permission sets for API and connected app access.

6. Is coding required for Salesforce Cloud Integration?

No, the standard Salesforce Cloud Integration setup between Marketing Cloud and Salesforce CRM can be completed using configuration steps and the Marketing Cloud Connector—no custom code is required.

7. How do I verify if Salesforce Cloud Integration was successful?

You can verify Salesforce Cloud Integration success by checking the status of your API user, confirming email activity logs in Salesforce, and ensuring bidirectional data sync between the CRM and SFMC.