/distribution-channels

name: distribution-channels
description: When the user wants to plan product distribution via marketplaces, app stores, or third-party platforms. Also use when the user mentions "distribution channels," "marketplace listing," "app store listing," "Figma plugin," "Chrome extension marketplace," "AWS Marketplace," "Shopify app," "GPTs store," "app distribution," or "third-party marketplace." For channel mix, use integrated-marketing.
metadata:
  version: 1.1.1

Channels: Distribution Channels

Guides product distribution via third-party marketplaces and app stores. Distinct from **directory-submission** (curated lists, Product Hunt, Taaft)—marketplaces are storefronts where customers discover and purchase apps, plugins, or integrations. Hyperscaler marketplaces (AWS, Azure, GCP) alone are projected to process $85B+ in software sales by 2028.

**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

Channel Types

| Type | Definition | Examples | |------|------------|----------| | **Direct** | Company sells via own assets | Website, eCommerce, sales team | | **Indirect** | Third parties sell on your behalf | Marketplaces, app stores, resellers |

**Marketplaces** = Digital storefronts where customers discover and buy; often pre-approved budgets (cloud spend), consolidated billing, faster procurement.

Marketplace Categories

| Category | Platforms | Product fit | |----------|-----------|-------------| | **Design & collaboration** | Figma Community, Canva Apps, Adobe Exchange | Design tools, templates | | **Browser extensions** | Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons | Extensions, dev tools | | **Cloud & enterprise** | AWS Marketplace, Google Cloud Marketplace, Azure Marketplace | SaaS, data, infra | | **Mobile** | App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store | Mobile apps, cross-platform | | **Vertical** | Shopify App Store, Slack App Directory, Salesforce AppExchange, Zoom Marketplace | E-commerce, collaboration, CRM | | **Developer** | GitHub Marketplace, WordPress Plugins | Dev tools, integrations | | **AI** | GPTs (OpenAI), emerging AI app stores | AI apps, agents | | **Social commerce** | Pinterest Product Pins | E-commerce, design tools, templates; Product Schema or Pinterest Catalog |

**Pinterest Product Pins**: Configure product links; shopping tags; link to site. Requires Product Schema or Pinterest Catalog. See **pinterest-posts**.

Listing Optimization

| Practice | Guideline | |----------|-----------| | **Reduce procurement friction** | Vendor Insights, standard contracts; streamline enterprise buying | | **Pricing models** | Free trials, pay-as-you-go, private offers for enterprise | | **Trust signals** | Verified reviews, partner badges, clear taxonomy | | **Discoverability** | Optimize for marketplace search; clear descriptions, tags | | **Co-sell** | Partner with platform field teams when available |

**Listing as asset**: Your marketplace page is both storefront and onboarding tool; prospects validate, customers discover integrations.

Platform Selection by Product Type

| Product type | Prioritize | |--------------|------------| | Design / collaboration | Figma, Canva, Adobe | | Browser extension | Chrome, Firefox | | Cloud / enterprise SaaS | AWS, GCP, Azure | | Mobile app | App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store | | E-commerce | Shopify | | Collaboration | Slack, Zoom | | Developer tools | GitHub, WordPress | | AI application | GPTs, emerging AI stores | | E-commerce / templates | Pinterest Product Pins |

Related Skills

• **directory-submission**: Curated lists (Taaft, Product Hunt, G2)—different from marketplaces; both are distribution
• **integrations-page-generator**: Integrations page content; marketplace listing drives discovery
• **cold-start-strategy**: Distribution as cold-start channel
• **localization-strategy**: Regional marketplaces by locale