In part one of our two-part series, we learned many of the steps to set up a Salesforce Experience Cloud Partner Portal using clicks instead of code.
We started by learning about the features available in an out-of-the-box Salesforce partner portal as well as the limitations, which may prompt larger companies to call on the assistance of a Salesforce consulting partner to achieve complex configurations. Then, we learned how to set up user profiles, enable permission sets, and configure Chatter and Knowledge Base features. Part 1 ended at the point where the new Experience Cloud Partner Portal pre-setup tasks are completed, and the new portal is enabled.
So where do we go from here? Keep reading to find out.
In case you missed it, part one of this series is available here, which is where you will find steps 1-9 for configuring a Salesforce Experience Cloud Partner Portal.
Watch the Full Webinar Replay
This low-code instructional guide to creating a Salesforce Experience Cloud partner portal was created from information provided in the CRM Science webinar, How to Build a Salesforce Partner Portal with No Code. Click here to access the full webinar replay.
No-Code Instructions for Configuring a Salesforce Experience Cloud Partner Portal - Part 2
The following instructions will equip you to build a simple partner portal using Salesforce Experience Cloud. There is a wide range of customization possible using Salesforce Experience Cloud partner portals. Contact a Salesforce-recognized consulting partner, like CRM Science, for complex partner portal configurations.
Step 10. Choose a Theme or Build Your Own
Now it’s time for the really fun part! Choose one of the preset themes Salesforce has provided, or you can build your own.
Watch the video below to learn how to choose a theme for your Experience Cloud partner portal.
Step 11. Complete Workspace Setup Tasks
The partner portal is not yet active, and there are a few housekeeping tasks to complete before activating the site. These tasks will prevent automated invites from going out prematurely, and they will complete some actions you took earlier in the partner portal setup process.
The following video will walk you through those tasks.
Step 12. Add Company Branding to Experience Cloud Site
Your Salesforce Experience Cloud Partner Portal will feel more like your company’s personalized site with the addition of company branding elements.
While the out-of-the-box template allows you to add some custom branding to your site, you may need to contact a Salesforce consultant to add intricate branding details and features.
The next video walks you through the addition of basic company branding, which includes:
Company Logo
Color Palette
Images/Graphics
Step 13. Design Partner Portal Sitemap & Publish Site
Now is the time to determine the organization for your partner portal and create the sitemap by adding and removing site elements to the Experience Cloud Partner Portal template.
Remember to consider the user experience as you design the site, and be sure to highlight elements that are most important to your partners as they navigate the site.
Learn steps for organizing your out-of-the-box Experience Cloud site in the following video.
Step 14. Add Custom Welcome Message and Graphics
Now that the site is published, you can go back and make edits to add even more customization while retaining the ability to save your work. Add a welcome message to introduce the purpose of the site to your audience.
The following video shows you how to customize your site by adding a welcome message and uploading additional graphics.
Step 15. Choose Homepage Components and Customize
The next step is to take the components created in previous steps and determine which ones will display on the homepage. You’ll also add social feed elements to provide the latest company news updates to your partners, and you can add basic customization details to the components.
The following video will show you how to complete the homepage component setup tasks for your Experience Cloud Partner Portal.
Step 16. Customize Featured Topics and Add Style Details
Use your Experience Cloud portal to create a content library to share thought leadership and other resources with your business partners. In this step, you’ll customize the featured topics that display in your portal and add graphics to give your site more visual interest.
The following video shows you how to customize your topics library.
Step 17. Enable Case Deflection Elements
Salesforce Experience Cloud comes with a case deflection solution available out of the box for partner portals, which is the Knowledge Base component you configured in a previous step.
The following video shows you how to finish setting up Knowledge Base so your partners can enjoy the convenience and empowerment of self service.
Step 18. Finish Salesforce Experience Cloud Partner Portal Setup
You did it! Your partner portal is finally looking like a real website complete with your company branding. And, you used Salesforce declarative best practices by configuring the portal with clicks, not code.
This last video covers final tasks and considerations you should make for your partner portal moving forward.
How to Set Up an Experience Cloud Partner Portal with No Code: Part 1
This instructional guide is pretty lengthy to digest in one sitting, so we’ve divided it into two parts. Click here to read the first part of this blog series, which includes steps 1-9 along with videos to send you on your way to no-click Experience Cloud site building success.
Click here to access the full webinar replay, How to Set Up a Salesforce Experience Cloud Partner Portal with No Code.
Contact CRM Science Salesforce Consultants
Salesforce Experience Cloud includes out-of-the box sites (communities) that are easy to build with no coding or development expertise required. However, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution for every company or organization’s needs. Complex situations may require customized partner portal solutions from Salesforce-recognized consulting partners, like CRM Science.
Contact CRM Science Salesforce Consultants to chat about your Salesforce Experience Cloud site.
