If you’re buried in RFPs, hunting for the latest product details, and sick of copying and pasting between platforms, this guide’s for you. We’ll walk through how to connect Loopio and Salesforce, what actually works, and where the snags are. No fluff—just concrete steps so you can get more answers out the door with less hassle.
Why bother integrating Loopio with Salesforce?
Here’s the deal: Sales teams live in Salesforce, while proposal managers and subject matter experts (SMEs) are stuck wrangling RFPs in Loopio. Integrating the two means:
- Sales can kick off RFPs right from the opportunity or account record—no more chasing down proposal managers.
- You avoid double entry, which means fewer mistakes (and less cursing).
- You can tie RFP activity to pipeline and see what’s actually moving the needle.
But don’t expect miracles. A lot depends on your team’s process, Salesforce setup, and how much you’re willing to tweak along the way.
Step 1: Understand What the Integration Does (and Doesn’t Do)
Before you start, it’s worth being clear about what Loopio’s Salesforce integration can actually do:
What works: - Start a Loopio project from a Salesforce record (like an Opportunity) - Pull Salesforce fields into Loopio (so you don’t retype company name, deal size, etc.) - Push basic Loopio project info back to Salesforce (status, due dates, links)
What doesn’t: - It won’t magically “read” RFPs from Salesforce attachments and build the project for you. - It won’t auto-update every custom Salesforce field—only what’s mapped. - It can’t replace good communication between sales and proposal teams.
Pro tip: If your Salesforce is heavily customized, expect to spend extra time mapping fields and testing.
Step 2: Prep Your Accounts—Don’t Skip This
You’ll need admin access to both systems. Double-check:
- You’ve got the right Loopio plan (the Salesforce integration is not on the cheapest tier)
- Your Salesforce user has permissions to install and authorize third-party apps
- You know which Salesforce objects (Opportunities, Accounts, etc.) you’ll use to trigger Loopio projects
Save yourself a headache: Loopio and Salesforce both update their APIs regularly. Check compatibility and version docs before starting.
Step 3: Install the Loopio App in Salesforce
Here’s where things get real. You (or your admin) will:
- Head to the Salesforce AppExchange and search for “Loopio Integration.”
- Click Get It Now and follow the prompts—install for admins first, then expand as you test.
- Authorize the app and grant it permissions. Don’t just click “allow all”—read what it’s asking for.
Once installed, you’ll see Loopio as a connected app in Salesforce Setup.
Heads up: Some orgs have strict security reviews for new integrations. This can take days or weeks if you need IT sign-off.
Step 4: Connect Salesforce to Loopio
Switch over to Loopio to finish the connection:
- Go to Admin > Integrations.
- Find Salesforce and click Connect.
- Enter your Salesforce org details and authorize.
Loopio will ask what Salesforce objects you want to connect (typically Opportunities or Accounts). Pick the ones that match how your sales team works.
Map your fields: This is where you align Salesforce fields (like “Deal Size”) to Loopio project fields. Don’t just map everything—pick what’s actually useful for proposal management.
Step 5: Design Your RFP Workflow
Now that the pipes are connected, decide how you want people to use the integration. This makes or breaks adoption.
Typical workflow: - Sales rep opens an Opportunity in Salesforce. - Clicks “Create Loopio Project.” - Fills in a few fields (project name, deadline, maybe uploads the RFP doc). - Loopio project is created with all the Salesforce info pre-filled. - Proposal manager gets notified and can see the project in Loopio.
Customization tip: You can add the Loopio button to different objects (not just Opportunities). If your process starts earlier or later, adjust accordingly.
Don’t overcomplicate: Avoid adding dozens of required fields. The more clicks, the less likely sales will actually use it.
Step 6: Test with a Small Group
Don’t roll out to everyone at once. Grab a sales rep and a proposal manager who aren’t afraid to give honest feedback.
- Create a test Opportunity in Salesforce.
- Run through the process: create a Loopio project, check what fields come over, see if notifications go out.
- Try updating project status in Loopio—does it show up in Salesforce?
What usually breaks: - Field mappings don’t match what sales actually uses. - Notifications get missed (check spam filters, notification settings). - Custom Salesforce layouts hide the Loopio button.
Fix these before you tell the whole company it’s “seamless.”
Step 7: Train Your Teams (Briefly)
You don’t need a two-hour training session. Just make a quick how-to doc or video showing:
- How to create a Loopio project from Salesforce
- What info is auto-filled, and what they still need to add
- Where to find the Loopio link and project status back in Salesforce
Remind people: The integration saves time if they use it. If they go around it, you’re back to email chaos.
Step 8: Monitor, Adjust, and Avoid Overkill
After launch, keep an eye on how it’s actually being used.
- Are sales reps still emailing RFPs? Find out why—they might be missing a needed field, or the process could be too slow.
- Is proposal management getting all the info they need? If not, adjust the mapped fields.
- Are updates flowing both ways? If Loopio project status isn’t syncing back, recheck your API settings.
Don’t go feature-crazy: Stick to the basics that save time. Most teams don’t need every possible field or workflow automated.
What to Ignore (for Now)
- Fancy dashboards: You can always build reporting later, but don’t let that slow down rollout.
- Auto-assigning every SME via Salesforce roles: This sounds great, but usually needs a ton of customization.
- Deep custom code: If the out-of-the-box integration gets you 80% there, stick with it unless you really need more.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
- Trying to automate “messy” RFP processes: If your RFP intake is all over the place, fix the process before you add tech.
- Not involving real users: If you only set this up with admins, you’ll miss what sales and proposal folks actually need.
- Assuming it’s plug-and-play: It never is. Budget time for tweaks.
Wrapping Up
Integrating Loopio with Salesforce isn’t magic, but it does cut a lot of the busywork from RFP management. Start simple, map only what matters, and fix what breaks. Don’t get distracted by bells and whistles—get the basics working, and let your team tell you what else they need. Iterate as you go, and you’ll save hours (and headaches) every RFP season.