What does a Zoho partner do?
A Zoho partner is an outside firm that Zoho has accepted into its partner programme to sell, set up and support Zoho apps for other businesses. Most work as consulting partners: they map your processes, configure and customise the apps, move your data, build integrations, train your staff and help after go-live.
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- Registered Zoho partner
- Calls in your business hours
- 30 days of free fixes
Zoho runs several partner programmes. The one most businesses meet is the Consulting Partner programme, which Zoho describes as helping customers with strategic consulting, implementation, integration, training and support. Zoho also has reseller, distributor, global system integrator, affiliate and Marketplace programmes, so the word partner can mean different things. When people say Zoho partner, they usually mean a consulting partner.
A typical project starts with discovery. The partner learns how you sell, bill, hire or support customers, then decides which Zoho apps fit. Next comes setup: modules, fields, layouts, workflows, blueprints, reports and user roles. Most projects also include data migration from spreadsheets or an old system, integrations with email, payments or ecommerce, and some Deluge scripting for logic the standard settings cannot handle.
Being a partner means Zoho knows the firm and has a formal relationship with it. Partners get access to a partner store, demo accounts and partner support, and they can be linked to a customer's subscription through Zoho's Tag your Partner feature. Tagging lets the partner earn commission on that subscription. It does not, by itself, give the partner access to your data.
A partner is not Zoho itself. Zoho support handles product bugs and outages. Your partner handles how the product is configured for your business. Quality also varies a lot between partners, so being listed by Zoho is a starting point, not a guarantee. Flowpeak, for example, is a registered Zoho partner whose consultants hold Zoho certifications, and it delivers projects remotely from Chennai.
Key points
- A Zoho partner is an outside firm in one of Zoho's partner programmes, most often the Consulting Partner programme.
- Typical work covers discovery, setup, data migration, integrations, custom scripting, training and support.
- Tagging a partner to your subscription lets them earn commission; it does not give them access to your data.
- Zoho support fixes product problems; your partner handles your configuration.
- Check a partner on Zoho's Find a Partner directory and ask for named certifications and references.
Common questions
What does it mean to be a Zoho partner?
It means Zoho has accepted the firm into one of its partner programmes and keeps a formal relationship with it. Consulting partners are expected to sell Zoho, hold Zoho certifications and show successful implementations to keep their status.
How do I find a good Zoho partner?
Start with Zoho's Find a Partner directory, then shortlist firms that have done projects like yours. Ask for named certifications, a written scope, a fixed or capped quote, and two references you can call.
Do I have to buy Zoho through a partner?
No. You can buy direct from Zoho and still hire a partner for the setup work. If you want the partner linked to your subscription, an admin can tag them later using their partner code.
Is a Zoho partner the same as Zoho support?
No. Zoho support deals with product faults, outages and billing. A partner configures and customises the apps for your business and helps your team use them.
Sources and further reading
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- Fixed price in writing
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Written by Flowpeak, a Zoho implementation partner. Zoho pricing and features change, so confirm current details on the official Zoho site. Free checklists | Ask us a question