Connect WordPress and Account Engagement (Pardot) Using Salesforce SSO

Installing the Account Engagement plugin on your WordPress website allows you to harness the power of marketing automation on your website without the use of code. You can build your forms in Account Engagement (Pardot) and create actions and automations based on form completions on your site, right from the platform. Additionally, if you have a database with clearly defined attributes, you can begin to tailor the content on your website based on attributes such as roles, industries, and titles.

Imagine having personalization and automation capabilities on your website –  this can happen with the Account Engagement plugin, enhancing the end-user experience further.

The benefit of using the Account Engagement plugin is the ability to add forms and dynamic content to your WordPress website without using code. In order to install the plugin, you will need to be a WordPress administrator. All Account Engagement editions can benefit from this functionality. Additionally, if you aren’t your organization’s Salesforce Administrator, you’ll want to coordinate with the person who is for the creation of the connected app in Salesforce.

Step 1: Download the Account Engagement Plugin to WordPress

1. Log into WordPress.
2. Navigate to the Plugins section.
3. Click on ‘Add New’.
4. Search for ‘Account Engagement’.
5. It should look like the image below, with the option to install.

6. Once you click install, navigate to the Plugins tab, locate Account Engagement, and click activate. Then click on the Account Engagement settings link. You’ll want to keep this tab open as you’re going to come back to it.

Step 2: Configure your Salesforce Connected App

1. In a new tab, log into Salesforce and navigate to the settings. Search for App Manager.
2. On the top right corner click ‘New Connected App’.
   • Complete the basic information section. You don’t need to add a logo/icon as this app will not display in the app launcher.
3. Under the API (Enable OAuth Settings) section you want to make sure you complete the following:
   • Check: Enable OAuth Settings
   • Enter your callback URL. The callback URL points users back to the Pardot plugin. Navigate back to the tab with the Pardot plugin open and copy that URL. It should look something like this: https://[YourWordpressDomainHere]/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=pardot.
4. Under Selected OAuth Scopes be sure to select: Manage Pardot Services (pardot_api) and Perform requests at any time (refresh_token, offline_access). More information here.

5. Check the box to Require Secret for Web Server Flow.
   • Once you complete this step, click save. Upon saving the new app the consumer key and customer secret will be generated.

Step 3: Complete the information on the Account Engagement Plugin

1. While keeping your Salesforce tab open, navigate back to your WordPress tab with the Account Engagement plugin.
2. Change the authentication type to SSO.

3. Switch back to your Salesforce tab with your new connected app – you should see your consumer key and customer secret. Copy and paste those values. If you closed the tab, or someone else created this App for you, you can find this by going to settings > App Manager > Find your app and click view.

Note: If you click edit you won’t see these values, you must click view.

4. Locate your Account Engagement (Pardot) business unit ID. To find the ID navigate to your Salesforce settings, search for Account Engagement > Business Unit Setup > then you’ll find the ID value. Enter the value into the Account Engagement WordPress plugin. Once you’ve completed all the information, click save settings.

5. Then click authenticate with Salesforce. If you aren’t already logged into your Salesforce org, you’ll be prompted to enter your credentials.
6. Once it successfully authenticates, you’ll see the authentication status turn green and it should say “Authenticated with Salesforce SSO”. From here you’ll want to select your campaign for tracking code and select save once more. You can come back to this tab at any time and change your Account Engagement (Pardot) campaign.

Once you have completed the installation above, a blue Salesforce button will be added to your text editor. From here you’ll be able to add forms and dynamic content from your Account Engagement (Pardot) instance to your website without the use of code. 

When you click the button, you’ll see a window like the one below where you can pick either your form or your dynamic content to embed on your website.

If for some reason you do not see your form or dynamic content on the list, you’ll want to go back to your Account Engagement (Pardot) plugin settings and clear the cache.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve completed the setup for your Account Engagement plugin on your WordPress website, you’ll be able to harness the power of personalization and automation abilities right on your website. 

If you have a question or have a really cool use case you just want to discuss, you can always share it in the comments below!