As demand grows for Sitecore implementations, digital agencies have a major opportunity to differentiate themselves by becoming certified Sitecore Solution Partners.
This article provides an overview of the Sitecore Solution Partner program, the benefits of becoming a partner, the certification process, and tips for getting the most value out of a Sitecore partnership. Whether you are just learning about Sitecore or are ready to take your partnership to the next level, this guide will provide useful insights and best practices.
Overview of the Sitecore Solution Partner Program
Sitecore developed the Solution Partner program to provide agencies and digital technology companies with the training, support, and certification needed to successfully sell and implement the Sitecore Experience Platform (XP).
The program has three tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Partners at any tier enjoy benefits like:
- Access to Sitecore sales and technical support resources
- Discounts on Sitecore products, services, and training
- Listing in the Partner Finder directory on Sitecore's website
- Use of Sitecore partner branding and marketing assets
Higher tiers offer additional advantages like dedicated alliance managers, additional discounts, and invitations to exclusive Sitecore events.
To gain Solution Partner status, companies must meet certain criteria for the tier they apply for such as having Sitecore-certified developers on staff, a Sitecore practice with past implementations, and annual Sitecore revenues or sales quotas. Partners must renew their status annually.
Benefits of Becoming a Sitecore Solution Partner
The Certification Process
To gain Solution Partner status, agencies must go through a formal certification process that verifies their level of Sitecore expertise and implementation experience. The requirements and timelines for certification vary based on the membership tier being applied for.
The baseline technical qualification for all tiers is to have earned the Sitecore XM Developer Certification. This involves passing one exam that covers topics like Sitecore architecture, template development, publishing, analytics, security, and workflow.
At the higher Platinum, partners must also have Sitecore-certified solution architects on staff capable of leading complex implementations. Earning an MVP (Most Valuable Professional) designation is also encouraged.
Beyond technical qualifications, partners must demonstrate their Sitecore implementation experience based on the tier requirements:
How to become a Sitecore Silver Partner, Gold Partner, or Platinum Partner?
According to Sitecore Official, all partners are expected to fulfill these minimum enablement and delivery requirements to ensure customers are receiving the best possible outcomes with their Sitecore solutions.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialization Achieve a minimum number of specializations around delivery capability. | 1 Specialization | 2 Specializations | 2 Specializations |
| Certified People Have a minimum number of certified people per product on the current versions in the achieved specialization(s) | 3 people per Specialization | 6 people per Specialization | 12 people per Specialization |
| Registered Completed Projects Registered completed projects in SPN that include initial product implementations and major upgrades. | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Certification renewals are required annually to maintain partner status and access level-based benefits. Renewals involve submitting updated staff certifications, customer references, and revenue/sales figures.
Tips for Getting Value from a Sitecore Partnership
Here are some best practices Sitecore recommends for digital agencies to maximize the value of their Solution Partner membership:
- Have each client account managed by at least one Sitecore-certified employee who can guide projects using Sitecore best practices.
- Take advantage of free partner training and workshops to keep expanding your team's Sitecore skillsets. Maintaining active certifications ensures your agency provides optimal expertise.
- Get hands-on with new Sitecore capabilities early in partner previews and workshops. This allows you to provide valuable strategic input to clients on what upcoming innovations can address their needs.
- Participate in the Sitecore community via online forums, local meetups, and the annual Sitecore Symposium to connect with peers and Sitecore product teams.
- Leverage available partner toolkits and launch kits to demonstrate Sitecore solutions to prospects using pre-built templates, demo materials, and presentation decks.
- Promote your Sitecore partnership visibly on your company website, sales materials, staff bios, and proposals to maximize credibility. Feature client success stories.
- Give product feedback to Sitecore regularly based on your hands-on implementation experiences so the platform continues to improve in alignment with client needs.
Conclusion
Becoming a certified Sitecore Solution Partner enables digital agencies like QEdge Digital Solutions to gain strategic advantages that help win new business, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and boost profitability on Sitecore projects.
By making the most of program benefits like early access to new capabilities, discounted licenses, and training workshops, QEdge has continually expanded its Sitecore expertise to offer end-to-end guidance from platform evaluation through post-launch optimization.
