10 Common Reasons Why Salesforce Is Frustrating

Salesforce is frustrating for many, but you don’t have to face it alone. Explore the best partners and strategies to enhance your user adoption in 2025.
Alina
July 16, 2025
Salesforce is frustrating

If you search “Salesforce is frustrating” on Reddit or any online community, you’ll find tons of threads from users venting about their experiences. From admins to sales reps, people everywhere are asking: “Why is this tool so hard to use?” Despite being the most popular CRM in the world, Salesforce often leaves users feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just plain annoyed. 

In fact, some teams never even scratch the surface of its potential because they get stuck in the mess. And while the tool itself is powerful, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you’ve ever felt like Salesforce just makes things harder, you’re definitely not alone. 

Let’s break down why so many users feel this way and what you can do to avoid the same fate.

1. Overly Complex User Interface – It’s just... a lot

Salesforce tries to be everything for everyone and sometimes it shows. With dozens of tabs, dashboards, reports and settings, new users often feel overwhelmed. Even seasoned users sometimes struggle to find what they need.

Why it matters: A cluttered UI slows down work. Instead of focusing on customers, users spend too much time navigating the system.

2. Poor Onboarding & Training – “Here’s your login... good luck!”

Many companies skip proper training and expect employees to just “figure it out.” Unfortunately, Salesforce isn’t that simple. Without guidance, users make mistakes or avoid using it altogether.

Bottom line: Without training, even the best tools won’t be used right. That’s one big reason why Salesforce is frustrating for teams.

3. Customizations Gone Wrong – Flexibility turns into chaos

Salesforce is incredibly flexible. That’s great until every department has its own custom fields, workflows and processes. Suddenly, no one knows what anything means anymore.

Pro tip: Customization should solve problems, not create new ones. If your org feels like Frankenstein’s monster, it’s time for a cleanup.

4. Slow Performance – Click… wait… click again

Ever tried updating an opportunity and had to wait five seconds for every field to load? Lag kills productivity. It also drives users away from the system entirely.

It adds up: Those extra seconds become hours of lost work over time. No wonder Salesforce is frustrating for busy sales teams.

5. Confusing Reports and Dashboards – Too much data, not enough insight

Salesforce gives you access to tons of data. But if your reports look like a spreadsheet exploded, you’re not getting much value. Many users struggle to find clear, actionable insights.

Keep it simple: Clean, focused dashboards win every time. If your reports are confusing, users will stop using them.

6. Permissions Are a Mess – “Wait, why can’t I see that record?”

User permissions in Salesforce are powerful but tricky. If roles and profiles aren’t set up correctly, people either see too much or not enough.

Why it’s frustrating: Nothing’s worse than trying to do your job and hitting access errors. It slows work and creates a lot of IT tickets.

7. Mobile Optimization – Working on the go? Good luck

The Salesforce mobile app isn’t as smooth or intuitive as the desktop version. And if your org has heavy customizations, the mobile experience can be downright painful.

Today’s users need to work anywhere. If the mobile app is clunky, they’ll skip logging updates until later, if at all.

8. Integration Nightmares – Not playing well with others

Salesforce should integrate easily with other tools. But in real life, those integrations can break, lag, or fail without explanation.

Result: Users get frustrated when they have to bounce between tools or re-enter data manually. And yes, they’ll say Salesforce is frustrating again.

9. Lack of Leadership Buy-In – If leadership doesn’t use it, why should I?

When executives don’t use Salesforce or show its value, employees don’t either. It sends the message that Salesforce isn’t essential which kills adoption.

Quick fix: Leadership needs to lead by example. When the C-suite uses and trusts the system, the rest of the team follows.

10. No Clear Strategy – Just having Salesforce isn’t enough

Too many companies get Salesforce because they “think they need it.” But without a clear strategy, goals, or KPIs, it just becomes a giant database.

The truth: Salesforce needs a roadmap. Without one, people will always feel like they’re just going through the motions.

Conclusion: It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

If you’ve ever thought “Salesforce is frustrating,” you’re definitely not alone. Between confusing UIs, poor training and chaotic customizations, it’s easy to see why people struggle. But here’s the good news: most of these issues are fixable. With a clearer strategy, better onboarding and a little expert help, Salesforce can go from frustrating to fantastic.

At PixelConsulting, we help businesses clean up their Salesforce environments, train their teams and build systems that actually work. If you’re tired of fighting with Salesforce, let’s talk. It doesn’t have to be this hard. We offer a range of Salesforce services to enhance user adoption and make this CRM work for your business. 

Contact us now!

FAQs

Q. Why is Salesforce so hard to use?

Salesforce is powerful, but it can feel overwhelming without proper training, planning, or customization. It wasn’t built to be plug-and-play so it needs thoughtful setup.

Q. How can I make Salesforce less frustrating?

Start by simplifying the UI, cleaning up customizations and investing in proper training. Most frustrations come from poor implementation.

Q. Is Salesforce worth it if it's frustrating?

Yes, Salesforce is totally worth it when it’s set up right. Despite the pain points, Salesforce can drive huge value with the right strategy and support.

Q. What’s the biggest mistake companies make with Salesforce?

Trying to customize too much too fast. It’s better to start small, prove value and scale thoughtfully.

Q. Can a Salesforce consultant help reduce frustration?

Yes, a good consultant can streamline your org, improve training and align the platform with your business goals.



Read Also:
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Author Insights:
Alina
Hi, I’m a content marketer with over 7 years of experience in content strategy, copywriting and editing. Currently, I’m exploring the world of Salesforce and aim to break down the ins and outs of this complex tool in simple, relatable ways. With these blogs, I’ll provide valuable insights to help businesses grow and use this CRM to their advantage. In my free time you'll find me unwinding with a good book and a cup of coffee!
July 16, 2025

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