Salesforce Classic vs. Lightning: Why You Need a Salesforce Developer for the Transition?

Did you know a well-designed user interface can skyrocket your team’s productivity? Salesforce understands this, so it offers two distinct UI experiences: Classic and Lightning. But which one is right for your business, and how do you transition smoothly?

In this blog, we’ll compare Salesforce Classic and Salesforce Lightning, discuss when to use each, and explain why hiring a Salesforce developer is crucial for a seamless transition.

What is Salesforce Classic?

Salesforce Classic is the original user interface (UI) of Salesforce, introduced in the early 2000s. It offers a simple, text-heavy layout with basic functionalities, making it suitable for users who prefer a straightforward, no-frills experience.

Key Features:

• Traditional, tab-based navigation
• Limited customization options
• Basic reporting and dashboards
• Slower performance compared to Lightning

Pros of Salesforce Classic 

• Familiarity: Long-time users find it easy to navigate.
• Stability: Fewer updates mean fewer unexpected changes.
• Compatibility: Works with older custom apps and integrations.
• Lower Learning Curve: Simpler for basic CRM tasks.

Cons of Salesforce Classic 

• Outdated UI: Feels clunky compared to modern interfaces.
• Limited Customization: Harder to personalize dashboards.
•  No AI/Advanced Analytics: Missing Einstein AI and smart insights.
• Slower Performance: Longer load times, especially with large datasets.
• No Future Updates: Salesforce is phasing out Classic.

What is Salesforce Lightning?

Salesforce Lightning is a modern, intuitive UI designed to enhance user experience with a dynamic, component-based layout. It offers advanced features, better performance, and AI-driven insights.

Key Features:

• Lightning App Builder: Enhanced customization options with drag-and-drop components to build custom pages and apps.
• Lightning Components: Reusable building blocks for creating custom user interfaces.
• Lightning Web Components (LWC): Improved performance and usability by switching from Aura components to Lightning Web Components for various UI elements.
• Enhanced dashboards and analytics
• Faster load times and mobile optimization
• Built-in AI (Einstein Analytics)
• Better automation and workflow tools

Pros of Salesforce Lightning 

• Modern & Intuitive: Sleek, drag-and-drop interface.
• Faster Performance: Optimized for speed and efficiency.
• AI-powered capabilities: Predictive analytics and automation.
• Better Mobile Experience: Fully responsive on all devices.
• Advanced Customization: Lightning App Builder allows easy modifications.

Cons of Salesforce Lightning  

• Steeper Learning Curve: It requires training for Classic users.
• Compatibility Issues: Some legacy apps may not work.
• Costly Migration: Customizations may need rebuilding.
• Resource-Intensive: Needs a developer for complex transitions.

Salesforce Classic Vs Salesforce Lightning:  Understanding The Difference

Why Should You Transit from Salesforce Classic vs. Lightning?

Having reviewed the differences between both interfaces, it’s clear that now is the time to upgrade to the Lightning version if you haven’t already. However, if you’re still seeking reasons to make the transition, here are some:

Enhanced User Experience

This version offers a modern design that is more intuitive and user-friendly. Moreover, users can easily customize their dashboards and pages with drag-and-drop components, creating a more personalized experience.

Improved Performance

Lightning UI is optimized for speed and performance, handling large datasets and complex queries more efficiently. Plus, the enhanced real-time data processing capabilities improve overall system responsiveness.

Increased Productivity

Lightning Process Builder and other automation tools help streamline complex and repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors. Also, the built-in productivity tools like Kanban boards, Path, and Activity Timeline enhance user efficiency manifolds.

Continuous Innovation

Salesforce CRM continuously adds new features and improvements to Lightning, ensuring it stays up-to-date with the latest technology trends. This makes the platform’s UI more future-proof. 

How Can a Salesforce Developer Be Helpful?

The transition from one version to another can be a difficult task and involve a lot of complexities. Here are some of the Salesforce developer roles and responsibilities that can make the process seamless:

Planning the migration

A developer can thoroughly understand and evaluate the current setup and then conclude what existing components are compatible with the Lightning and what aspects need to be reworked. Then, they can create a complete roadmap for migration and highlight the critical features.

Configuring and optimizing UI

Developers can customize and configure the user interface to match business requirements and workflows using features offered by the Lightning version, such as App Builder and Lightning Web Components (LWC). This approach also facilitates the creation of a more personalized and efficient user interface, which can lead to improved user adoption rates.

Ensuring smooth migration

Then they can ensure all the records transfer seamlessly, ensuring data consistency and hassle-free migration by following the best practices.

Checking compatibility and security

They verify all necessary compatibility, update integrations, and ensure that all security mandates are followed, as the Lightning UI has strict security requirements, and changes in the framework can break existing integrations.

Conducting relevant tests

Finally, they perform all relevant tests, such as user adoption testing and bug fixes, to enhance the overall performance of the interface.

In short, a developer can:

• Boost the process speed
• Help reduce downtime owing to experience
• Provide scalability for future growth
• Have great problem-solving skills when it comes to identifying existing integration patterns, Apex, and Visualforce. 
• Take care of the post-migration fixes, lowering costs.

End Note 

In today’s digital world, it’s clear that relying on a basic user interface (UI) can limit your team’s productivity and fail to support personalized dashboards. A simple solution is to switch to the more efficient Salesforce Lightning user interface. However, this transition can be challenging and complex, requiring the support of a skilled Salesforce developer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how to find experienced developers for your transition, reach out to our experts at Smart IT Staff. Hire skilled Salesforce developers today!