But here’s the good news: Salesforce data migration best practices aren’t rocket science. With some upfront planning, the right tools, and a few smart moves, you can make the transition smooth, strategic, and (dare we say?) satisfying.
Let’s dive into the five best practices that will make your Salesforce data migration smoother and more reliable.
Before you even crack open Salesforce, know what you’re working with. Which data is worth keeping, and which belongs in the recycle bin? This is your digital decluttering moment. A little cleanup now makes a huge difference later.
Also—define your “why.” Are you consolidating multiple systems? Prepping Salesforce for its first big debut? Or maybe you’re just tired of pulling messy reports that don’t tell you anything useful. Clear goals mean fewer headaches.
Pro tip: break the migration into phases (discovery, mapping, testing, and go-live). Rushing through all at once is like trying to build a Flow without understanding why Salesforce officially retired Workflow Rules and Process Builder. (Spoiler: they’re gone by the end of 2025—so yes, you have to migrate to Flow.)
Now comes the heavy lifting: Cleaning up Salesforce data. Standardize phone numbers, fix typos, and merge duplicates. Tools like Cloudingo, DemandTools, or even trusty Excel are your friends in this case.
Once it’s tidy, move into Salesforce data mapping. The “Full Name” in your legacy system may need to be split into “First Name” and “Last Name.” Document these mappings—future-you will thank you.
And don’t forget external IDs. They’re the glue that keeps relationships intact when linking Accounts, Contacts, and other records. Pair that with Salesforce validation rules (such as requiring phone numbers or proper email formats), and your data stays clean long after migration day.
Quick tip: if validation rules or triggers might block your data loads, disable them temporarily during migration, then re-enable (and test!) once everything’s in place.
How much of this can be done with configuration vs. custom code? We break that down in this guide, explaining when to configure and when to customize.
Here’s the secret weapon: Upserts. Instead of running insert and update jobs separately, upserts perform both operations simultaneously—preventing duplicates and saving you time.
If you’re moving millions of records, consider Bulk API or Bulk API 2.0. They’re designed for scale and help you avoid hitting governor limits. Just be aware of data skew (too many child records tied to a single parent), which can slow performance.
Automate what you can, but also build in safety nets, such as logs, alerts, and rollback plans. And I’ll say it again—always have a clean backup copy stored separately. (You’d be shocked how often this saves the day.)
If this kind of structured approach feels familiar, it’s because it’s the same method we use when scoping Salesforce projects at DSG. Planning is everything.
First rule of Salesforce data migration: never test in production. A Salesforce sandbox migration is your rehearsal space. Just remember—each sandbox type has limits. Developer sandboxes don’t have all your data. Partial Copy has some, and Full is, well, full (but can only be refreshed every 29 days). Choose wisely.
Next, invite users in for UAT (User Acceptance Testing). Let them run reports, update records, and test their workflows. Their feedback is invaluable for catching issues early.
Finally, validate your data. Compare old vs. new. Spot-check records, run reports, and make sure relationships are intact. Automated checks are powerful, but nothing beats a human sanity check.
And don’t overlook training. Even the cleanest Salesforce org flops if your team doesn’t know how to use it. Confidence drives adoption, and adoption drives ROI. If you’re thinking about ROI, you might want to see why working with a Salesforce partner pays off long-term.
Salesforce data migration doesn’t have to be intimidating. Think of it less like a tech project and more like a business reset. Clean data, mapped relationships, and confident users unlock Salesforce’s real power—whether that’s streamlined reporting, process automation, or even laying the groundwork for AI-powered selling.
And remember, migration isn’t just about moving data once—it’s about setting up your org for long-term scalability, whether that means syncing with external systems, supporting incremental loads, or transitioning your legacy automations into Flow.
Done right, this isn’t just moving information. It’s setting the stage for better decisions, smoother operations, and a Salesforce org that finally works for you.
Here’s the thing: even if you’ve got your Salesforce data migration best practices checklist nailed down, the process still finds ways to test your patience. It’s a little like moving into a dream home, only to discover the previous owner left behind broken blinds and a mysterious box of VHS tapes. Annoying? Yes. Deal-breaking? Not if you know how to prepare.
First, the mess: dirty data. Legacy data has a talent for chaos—typos, duplicates, half-baked records. If you don’t deal with it before you migrate, you’re basically inviting clutter into your brand-new Salesforce org. Deduplicate, standardize, validate—because “garbage in, garbage out” is as true in CRM as it is anywhere else.
Next, field mapping drama. Mismatched fields are the equivalent of putting your fridge in the bathroom. Your data technically made it over, but it’s in the wrong spot, and nobody’s happy. The fix is simple but not glamorous: document your mappings, test them in a sandbox, and double-check those field types, as if your project depends on it—because it does.
Then comes the automation ambush. Validation rules, triggers, and flows are excellent at maintaining the cleanliness of everyday data. During migration, though, they can throw roadblocks in front of perfectly valid records. The smarter play? Build bypass logic (think custom permissions or flag fields), or switch off only the non-critical stuff. Once the data is in, bring automations back online gradually, testing as you go—so nothing explodes on re-entry.
Handling scale is its own beast. A few thousand records? Easy. Millions? That’s a different ballgame. This is where Salesforce’s Bulk APIs come in. Bulk API 2.0 simplifies large loads by auto-managing batches behind the scenes, while Bulk API 1.0 gives you more control with explicit batching and chunking. Either way, keep an eye on Salesforce’s governor limits: concurrent requests, batch quotas, and timeouts. Translation—pace yourself, monitor usage, and avoid flooding the pipes.
Load order matters, too. Just like you’d never install the roof before the foundation, you can’t import Contacts before Accounts. Parents first, children second, or your relationships fall apart. And re-enabling automation? Same rule—don’t flip it all back on at once. Turn it on in stages and verify that your data remains stable.
And finally, the human side—user adoption. Even if your migration is technically flawless, it’s a “fail” if your team doesn’t trust or use the system. If they think data gremlins haunt Salesforce, they’ll sprint back to spreadsheets. Training, feedback loops, and hands-on support are what turn migration from “scary project” into “success story.”
Bottom line? Salesforce data migration challenges aren’t “gotchas;” they’re just hurdles you can spot from a mile away. Tackle them head-on, and your project looks less like chaos and more like a choreographed effort.
Data migration is one of those projects where you only want to do it once—and do it right. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re cleaning up a legacy system, preparing for AI, or untangling decades of automations that need to move into Flow, DSG helps you migrate with confidence.
Let’s talk about your Salesforce data migration. Schedule a consultation today and set your org up for success from day one.