📝 How to Convert Leads in Salesforce

📌 Why We Convert Leads

Lead conversion is necessary when Salesforce blocks you from creating a new account because the email address is already in use. Emails are the unique identifier that prevent duplicate records. If no account exists but Salesforce indicates the email is in use, the email may already be tied to a lead record.

🔄 When to Convert a Lead

• You try to create an account, but Salesforce shows the email is already in use.
• You search for an account with that email, but no account is available.
• In these cases, check if there is an existing lead record with that email.

🛠️ Steps to Convert a Lead

1. Search for the Lead Record
   1. Use the client’s email to locate an existing lead in Salesforce.
2. Open the Lead
   1. Pull up the lead record.
   2. On the top right-hand side, under Quick Actions, find the Convert button.
3. Click Convert
   1. Click Convert and follow the on-screen instructions.
   2. Salesforce may prompt you to select:
      1. Lead Source
      2. Engagement Type
4. Selecting Engagement Types
   • Engagement types follow our naming convention: 
     Your Department – Method by which the client was received.
   • Example:
     • If you are in the FSR department, select FSR – [method].
     • Methods might include:
       • FSR – Self-Generated Referral
       • FSR – Post-Meeting Referral
       • ⚠️ Be sure to select the correct engagement type so reporting remains accurate.
5. Handle Opportunities
   • After selecting an engagement type, Salesforce may automatically create an Opportunity.
   • If the opportunity is not required for your transactional purposes, please close the opportunity after conversion.
6. Account Created
   • Once the lead is converted, it becomes an account record in Salesforce.

• ✅ Key Reminders
• Always check for existing leads before creating a new account.
• Use the correct Engagement Type naming convention for consistency.
• Conversion ensures we avoid duplicates and maintain clean data.
• Close any unnecessary opportunities after conversion to prevent clutter.