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