Let’s be honest: syncing data between your CRM and other tools is never as “seamless” as the sales decks claim. But if you’re managing contacts or deals in both Alignedup and Salesforce, you can make the two play nice—without losing sleep or data. This guide is for admins, ops folks, and anyone tired of copy-pasting between systems.
Below, I’ll walk you through the practical steps to get Alignedup and Salesforce talking to each other. No fluff, no “digital transformation” nonsense—just what works, what breaks, and what to avoid.
Before You Start: What You Actually Need
Before jumping in, let’s clear up some basics:
- Access: You’ll need admin access to both Salesforce and Alignedup.
- Integration method: Alignedup doesn’t have a native Salesforce integration (as of mid-2024). You’ll use middleware like Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), or a custom API connection.
- Know your data: Figure out what you actually want to sync (contacts, leads, deals, or something else). Don’t try to sync everything—that’s how you end up with a mess.
- API limits: Salesforce has API call limits. If you’re syncing loads of data, keep an eye on these or risk throttling.
Pro tip: If you only need a one-way sync (say, Salesforce → Alignedup), things get a lot simpler. Two-way syncs can get messy fast—start with one direction, test, then consider bi-directional.
Step 1: Decide What to Sync (And What to Ignore)
You might think you want all your data in both places. You probably don’t.
- Must-haves: Contacts, leads, deals—pick 1–2 objects to start.
- Nice-to-haves: Custom fields, notes, attachments. Only add these if you truly need them.
- Ignore: System fields, audit logs, or anything you never look at.
Why be picky? Every extra field or object is another thing that can break or duplicate. Keep it simple for now. Expansion is easy; cleanup is not.
Step 2: Choose Your Integration Tool
Here are your realistic options:
1. Zapier or Make (No-Code Middleware)
- Pros: Fast setup, no code, plenty of Salesforce triggers/actions, some Alignedup support.
- Cons: Can get expensive if you have lots of records or “zaps.” Some advanced logic is clunky. Alignedup’s support on Zapier is limited—you may need to use webhooks or generic HTTP actions.
2. Custom API Integration
- Pros: Full control, handles complex logic, best for big orgs.
- Cons: Requires coding (Python, Node, etc.), ongoing maintenance, needs someone who actually understands APIs.
3. Third-Party Connectors
- Pros: Tools like Workato or Tray.io offer more power/flexibility than Zapier, but cost more.
- Cons: Overkill for small teams; still requires some setup knowledge.
Honest take: Most teams start with Zapier or Make. Only go custom if you have unique needs or a dev team on standby.
Step 3: Set Up Your Integration (Zapier Example)
Let’s walk through a common scenario: syncing new Salesforce leads into Alignedup.
3.1. Prep Your Accounts
- Log into both Salesforce and Alignedup.
- In Salesforce, make sure API access is enabled for your user profile.
- In Alignedup, generate an API key (or OAuth token, if supported).
3.2. Build Your Workflow
On Zapier:
- Create a new Zap.
- Choose Salesforce as the trigger app.
- Trigger: “New Lead” (or whatever object you need).
- Connect your Salesforce account. Authenticate and test the connection.
- Add a filter (optional, but recommended).
- Only continue if certain conditions are met (e.g., lead source = “Website”).
- Add Alignedup as the action.
- If Alignedup isn’t listed directly, use the “Webhooks by Zapier” action.
- Set up a “POST” request to the Alignedup API endpoint for creating a new contact/lead.
- Map Salesforce fields to Alignedup fields.
- Test the Zap.
- Create a test lead in Salesforce; make sure it shows up in Alignedup.
- Turn it on.
What if Alignedup isn’t listed in Zapier? Most likely, you’ll use Zapier’s Webhooks feature: - Get the Alignedup API docs (usually in your Alignedup dashboard or help center). - Set up a POST request to the right endpoint. - Build your payload (JSON format) based on Alignedup’s requirements.
If you’re lost at the “webhook” part, ask your admin or someone comfy with APIs—it’s not as scary as it sounds, but you do need to get the field mapping right.
Step 4: Map and Test Your Fields
Here’s where most integrations go sideways. Field names rarely match 1:1, so:
- Create a mapping doc: List Salesforce fields on one side, Alignedup fields on the other.
- Handle picklists/enums: Salesforce picklists may not match Alignedup’s options. You might need to translate values (“Hot lead” → “Priority: High”).
- Watch for required fields: If Alignedup needs a field that Salesforce doesn’t send, you’ll need to default it or make it optional.
Pro tip: Start with just a couple of fields. Get those working, then add more.
Test thoroughly: Create a few test records. Check: - Did the data sync? - Are fields correctly mapped? - Any errors or duplicates?
Step 5: Handle Errors and Duplicates
Nothing’s ever perfect. Here’s what to watch for:
- Duplicates: If the same record changes in both systems, you might get doubles. Add logic to check for existing records before creating new ones.
- Failed syncs: Zapier and Make will show failed runs. Check error logs regularly, especially after changing field mappings.
- API limits: If you hit Salesforce’s API limits, the sync will stop working—sometimes silently. Set up alerts if your integration tool allows it.
Honest take: Every “seamless” integration breaks at some point. Expect hiccups; build in checks and stay on top of error reports.
Step 6: Schedule Regular Reviews
Integrations are not “set and forget.” Schedule a 15-minute review every month (or after any major Salesforce or Alignedup update) to:
- Check for failed syncs
- Review field mapping changes
- Spot any new data needs
Pro tip: Document your setup somewhere your team can find it. When something breaks, you’ll thank yourself.
Advanced: Two-Way Sync (Should You Even Bother?)
Two-way sync sounds great: update a lead in either system, and both stay up-to-date. In practice, it’s a pain:
- Conflicting changes: If a record changes in both places at once, which wins?
- Infinite loops: Without careful logic, you can create endless update cycles.
- Maintenance overhead: Twice as many triggers, twice as many places to debug.
If you really need two-way sync: - Use a tool built for it (like Workato), or custom code with change-detection logic. - Always track a “last updated” timestamp to resolve conflicts. - Start with just one or two fields—don’t try to sync everything.
My advice? Stick with one-way sync until you absolutely can’t. Most teams don’t need true bi-directional sync.
What Doesn’t Work (And What to Ignore)
- Don’t try to sync everything: More data = more headaches.
- Don’t rely on manual exports: You’ll forget, and your data will drift.
- Don’t trust “set it and forget it” promises: Tech moves, APIs change, stuff breaks.
- Don’t ignore small errors: Tiny field mapping bugs can snowball into real data messes if left unchecked.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate as You Go
Syncing Alignedup and Salesforce isn’t magic, but it is doable if you stay focused. Start with the bare minimum, map fields carefully, and check your integration regularly. When problems pop up (and they will), fix them fast and document what you did.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Get something working, test it, then improve over time. That’s how you avoid integration hell—and keep your team sane.