Pardot/Salesforce integration is second to none
June 04, 2019

Pardot/Salesforce integration is second to none

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Ultimate

Overall Satisfaction with Pardot

We decided to use Pardot due to its robust integration with Salesforce, which we use as our database of existing customers. We use Pardot to communicate with our customers regarding service changes, product updates, etc. Previously, we used a marketing automation system that did not integrate with Salesforce, so we were constantly uploading static lists and had zero visibility into customer behavior when it came to our communications. Pardot allows us to be more proactive with our customer communications and experience.
  • The integration with Salesforce is second to none. If you are using Salesforce, you should be using Pardot. It makes everything seamless.
  • Pardot's Engagement Studio gives us opportunities to communicate to current customers based on their behavior -- plus, all Salesforce users have complete visibility into what our prospects are engaging with.
  • Our customer success manager is amazing. She is always so fast to respond, and if she doesn't have an answer, she will do whatever it takes to find it!
  • The general customer support (ticketing system) is horrible. I wait, on average, 10 days for any sort of response.
  • The email builder lacks basic functionality. We have to complete workarounds for nearly everything other than simple text blocks, including centering text and adding buttons. Even with our old email system (which was not robust at all), those functions were built in and easy to use. The template builder is clunky and hard to use. We are waiting patiently for a drag-and-drop email builder!
  • There are certain email completion actions that don't currently exist and should. For example, when a prospect clicks on a link in an email, we cannot notify the account's support rep. Salesforce could not provide a workaround for this.
  • Higher client retention rates.
  • Increased recurring revenue with existing customers.
While Pardot's integration with Salesforce, segmentation functionality, and automation rules are much more robust than any of its competitors, the email builder lacks even compared to free versions of marketing automation software. For us, the integration and being able to customize communications based on clean data was the most important factor is choosing Pardot. Until Pardot improves its email builder, we can always build email templates outside of Pardot and import the HTML.
If you use Salesforce as your primary CRM system, you should be using Pardot -- no questions asked. You will not find a better or more efficient integration out there. If you are looking for simply an email automation tool, I would consider other options as well. The email builder is by far the weakest part of Pardot. I have high hopes they will improve this!

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Feature Ratings

WYSIWYG email editor
3
Dynamic content
9
Ability to test dynamic content
9
Landing pages
9
A/B testing
10
Mobile optimization
10
Email deliverability reporting
10
List management
10
Triggered drip sequences
10
Lead nurturing automation
9
Lead scoring and grading
10
Data quality management
9
Automated sales alerts and tasks
3
Calendaring
10
Event/webinar marketing
Not Rated
Social sharing and campaigns
Not Rated
Dashboards
10
Standard reports
10
Custom reports
10
API
10
Role-based workflow & approvals
10
Customizability
10
Integration with Salesforce.com
10