September 1, 2023

Which Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing Model Suits Your Business Needs?

In Marketing Cloud
By Mikael Petersson
Choosing the right pricing model is crucial for maximizing the benefits of Salesforce Marketing Cloud. With various options tailored to different needs, understanding Salesforce Marketing Cloud pricing is essential. Let’s explore the pricing models available and help you determine the best fit for your business.
Understanding Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a comprehensive digital marketing platform that allows businesses of all sizes and industries to streamline and automate their marketing efforts. Key features include email marketing, social media management, advertising automation, customer segmentation, and personalized engagement tracking. It leverages AI-powered analytics to provide insights into customer behavior and preferences, enabling targeted marketing strategies. With a suite of tools designed to integrate various marketing channels, Salesforce Marketing Cloud can revolutionize a business's marketing approach, offering a unified view of customer interactions and enhancing ROI.
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Core Components of Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing

Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a robust and versatile platform that caters to various business needs by offering a range of features and solutions. Understanding the core components influencing its pricing can help businesses choose the most appropriate options. Let's delve into the main elements:

a. User Licenses

The number of users requiring platform access can greatly influence the pricing. The more users, the higher the cost. Different roles and access levels can also have varied pricing.

b. Data Storage

This covers the storage needs for marketing assets, customer data, and other relevant information. With Salesforce's Data Cloud for Marketing, businesses can bring real-time moments to every customer, making storage an essential component to consider.

c. Contacts and Subscribers

Pricing can vary depending on the volume of contacts or subscribers managed within the system. The more contacts you handle, the greater the cost. This is especially crucial for businesses with extensive customer databases.

d. Features and Add-ons

Different plans may include various features, and additional add-ons can be purchased to extend the platform's functionality. The choice of features and add-ons will directly impact the pricing. Understanding what's included in each plan and what additional tools or services you may need will help you make an informed decision.

  • Engage Customers: Solutions to align marketing strategies, enabling personalized interactions.
  • Data Cloud for Marketing: Real-time customer engagement through effective data management.
  • Loyalty Management: Personalized experiences to build customer loyalty.
  • Marketing Cloud Account Engagement: Building pipelines, leads, and better customer experiences.
  • Marketing Cloud Engagement: Automating marketing journeys at scale, both for B2C and B2B audiences.
  • Marketing Cloud Advertising: Data-driven advertising management to build stronger connections.
  • Marketing Cloud Intelligence: Tools to connect, analyze, and act on all marketing data.
  • Marketing Cloud Personalization: Real-time tracking and management of customer interactions.
  • Salesforce Content Management System: Fast delivery of connected content across digital experiences.

Additionally, Salesforce offers features for CRM, sales forecasting, sales tracking, content management, digital advertising, social media marketing, content marketing optimization, and more. These bundled features provide companies comprehensive solutions tailored to their size and needs. Whether analytic digital and social media marketing or improving ROI on digital marketing ad spend, Salesforce Marketing Cloud offers packages designed to drive success.

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Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing Models
a. B2B Marketing Automation

Here are the Salesforce Marketing Cloud offers to empower B2B marketing automation:

GROWTH
$1,250/month

Up to 10,000 contacts
(billed annually)

CRM integration, in-depth tracking, lead scoring, and grading, email marketing, lead nurturing, and engagement reporting

PLUS

$2,500/month

Up to 10,000 contacts
(billed annually)

Everything in Growth, with the addition of B2B Marketing Analytics, custom and embedded dashboards, advanced dynamic content, Google Ads integration, and more

ADVANCED

$4,000/month

Up to 10,000 contacts
(billed annually)

AI-powered features like Einstein Attribution, Predictive Lead Scoring, Behavior Scoring, Campaign Insights, custom roles and permissions, custom object integration, dedicated IP address, and API access up to 100K calls per day

PREMIUM

$15,000/month

Up to 75,000 contacts
(billed annually)

Designed for complex marketing teams, it includes Business Units, Developer Sandboxes, B2B Marketing Analytics Plus, and Premier Success. 

Additional B2B Marketing Tools

Here are the Salesforce Marketing Cloud offers to empower B2B marketing automation:

SALES EMAILS AND ALERTS

$50/user per month

(billed annually)
Empower sales and service reps with marketing automation to ensure timely and effective communication.
ENGAGEMENT HISTORY DASHBOARDS

$300/user per year

(billed annually)

Embed insights on leads, contacts, accounts, and opportunities.

B2B MARKETING ANALYTICS PLUS

$36K/ year

(billed annually)

Gain a comprehensive view of marketing campaigns, understand performance, and anticipate future outcomes to maximize ROI.

b. B2C Marketing Automation

Choosing the right Salesforce B2C Marketing Cloud Edition depends on your business size, communication channels, and specific marketing needs.

Pro Edition

$1,250 org/USD/month

Ideal for businesses that focus primarily on email marketing. Offers segmentation, predictive intelligence, automation, and Einstein capabilities for personalized email experiences.

Corporate Edition

$3,750 org/USD/month.

Best for engaging customers through unique journeys across multiple channels like email, mobile, and the web. It leverages AI with Einstein for real-time personalized communications.

Enterprise Edition

Requires a custom quote.

Perfect for large enterprises or businesses with multiple brands, units, or global outreach. Offers a comprehensive solution to manage customer journeys across various channels and brands.

Features Comparison:
  • Email Marketing: Available from Basic to Enterprise editions.
  • Content Creation: Included in Pro, Corporate, and Enterprise editions.
  • Integration with Salesforce Sales Cloud: Offered from Pro to Enterprise.
  • Journey Builder: Present in Corporate and Enterprise editions.
  • Mobile Messaging: Accessible in Corporate and Enterprise editions.
  • Powered by Einstein: Features driven by Salesforce's Einstein AI, available in Enterprise edition.
  • Manage Multiple Businesses: Exclusive to Enterprise edition.
Extended Features:
  • Target Your Audience: Segment and target your audiences for more personalized campaigns.
  • Build Your Best Email: Craft optimal emails with the help of tools and insights.
  • Automate Your Messages: Set up automated messaging sequences for customer engagement.
  • Leverage Your Data: Use customer data for better campaign results.
  • Increase Your Conversions: Optimize campaigns to get better conversion rates.
  • Boost Your Efficiency: Improve your marketing operations efficiency with tools and analytics.
  • Reach Your On-The-Go Customers: Engage mobile customers effectively.
Factors Influencing Pricing Decisions

Several key factors come into play when considering the pricing decisions for any marketing solution, such as Salesforce's Marketing Cloud. Here's a look at the ones we have listed:

a. Business Size and Needs
  • Size: Larger businesses typically require more comprehensive solutions that can handle larger volumes of data, more complex automation, and higher levels of security. This often leads to higher costs.
  • Needs: Specific needs, such as integrations with existing systems, advanced analytics, or particular features like loyalty management, can influence pricing. Customizations to meet unique business requirements may also affect the cost.
b. Marketing Goals
  • Channels: If a business aims to engage customers across various channels like email, mobile, web, and social media, they may need a more robust solution. This multichannel approach can influence pricing.
  • Strategies: Different marketing strategies (e.g., lead generation, brand awareness, customer retention) may require different tools or features within the marketing platform. The alignment of these strategies with the chosen edition or package will influence the price.
  • Performance Metrics: Goals related to tracking, measuring, and analyzing marketing performance may require advanced analytics and reporting features, impacting the price.
c. Scalability
  • Growth Potential: Businesses planning for significant growth may need a scalable solution that can easily accommodate an expanding customer base, more extensive campaigns, or entry into new markets. Investing in a scalable solution upfront may influence the initial pricing but offer long-term value.
  • Flexibility: A flexible pricing model that allows for adjustments as the business evolves ensures that the company only pays for what it needs. This consideration of scalability ensures that the solution can grow with the business without unnecessary expenditures.
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Benefits of working with Salesforce Implementation Partner

Working with a Salesforce Implementation Partner and Salesforce Professional Services brings several advantages to businesses implementing or optimizing their use of Salesforce. Here are the key benefits:

1. Collective Accountability to Accelerate Customer Outcomes and Value Realization:

Joint Responsibility: Salesforce Professional Services and the implementation partner work together, ensuring shared accountability for the project's success.

Faster Outcomes: This collaboration often leads to quicker achievement of goals, whether launching a new feature or resolving a complex issue.

2. Optimal Alignment on Salesforce Industry, Functional, and Integration Best Practices:

Expert Guidance: Partners provide insights based on industry best practices, helping to align Salesforce's functionality with the business's specific needs.

Seamless Integration: Knowledge of integration best practices ensures that Salesforce fits smoothly within the existing technology landscape.

3. Timely, Precise Guidance for Decisions Informed by Complementary Expertise:

Informed Decision-Making: Having access to expert advice means that critical decisions can be made with confidence, taking into account the unique context of the business.

Reduced Risk: Expert guidance can mitigate potential risks, leading to a smoother implementation and ongoing operation.

4. Proactive Engagement During Key Change and Adoption Moments to Accelerate Time to Value:

Support During Transitions: Partners can provide vital support during crucial moments of change, ensuring that transitions happen smoothly.

Enhanced Adoption: Professional assistance can increase user adoption by tailoring Salesforce to meet user needs and providing training.

5. Access to Salesforce Product Teams and Roadmaps to Drive Long-Term Scale and Flexibility:

Inside Knowledge: Direct access to Salesforce product teams provides insight into future developments and opportunities to influence the product's direction.

Strategic Planning: Understanding Salesforce's roadmap helps align the organization's long-term strategy with the platform's capabilities.

Conclusion

Finding the optimal Salesforce Marketing Cloud pricing plan doesn't have to be a complex task. By comparing and understanding the different options, you can maximize your ROI and leverage the powerful features of Salesforce Marketing Cloud to revolutionize your marketing efforts.

Whether you're a small enterprise or a large corporation, taking the time to understand Salesforce Marketing Cloud pricing, and seeking expert advice when needed, can make a significant difference in the success of your marketing endeavors. Feel free to explore the various pricing options and find the perfect solution tailored to your company's requirements.

How eClouds Experts Can Help?
Explore the best Salesforce Marketing Cloud pricing options for your company's needs. Compare plans and find the perfect solution for your business with eClouds. With more than 16 years of experience on the Salesforce platform, our team of certified professionals is ready to help your business grow. Boasting a customer satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5, eClouds provides optimal solutions across various industries. Get in touch to learn how we can help your business succeed.
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Citation Reference

Marketing Cloud Pricing. Retrieved from Salesforce (n.d) https://www.salesforce.com/products/marketing-cloud/pricing/

Factors That Affect Pricing Decisions. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota (n.d) https://open.lib.umn.edu/principlesmarketing/chapter/15-2-factors-that-affect-pricing-decisions/

B2B MARKETING AUTOMATION. Retrieved from Salesforce (n.d) https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en_us/www/documents/pricing/account-engagement-pricing.pdf

How to Select the Right B2C Marketing Cloud Editions. Retrieved from Salesforce (n.d) https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en_us/www/documents/pricing/mc_email_journey_pricing_sheet.pdf

Marketing Cloud Engagement Pricing. Retrieved from Salesforce (n.d) https://www.salesforce.com/ap/editions-pricing/marketing-cloud/email/?d=cta-body-promo-234

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Mikael Petersson

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