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