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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