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AppExchange, PDO, Salesforce
June 16, 20220

Salesforce AppExchange Pricing: The Definitive Guide

 

If you’re seeking the best and most efficient marketplace to promote and sell your product, you’ve certainly heard about AppExchange. AppExchange is, without a doubt, one of the biggest markets that have ever existed. As a repository of valuable assets and information for both app developers & app users, the AppExchange enables developers to profit from their skills and businesses to improve their Salesforce Org capabilities.

 

The marketplace has a wide range of apps and over 10 million app installations, with new products getting published regularly. If you set up your application correctly and use the right price plan, then the AppExchange market can be incredibly lucrative. It’s essential to start by deciding what kind of application you’ll be offering. It will indicate the competition level of your niche, as well as how much further advertising and research will be needed to start.

 

All apps and services in AppExchange are divided by different categories, like:

 

AppExchange Category

(Source: Salesforce AppExchange)

 

Once you determine the product category fit for your app, you can select your ISV program and monetization model. Before selecting the ISV program and monetization model, you need to understand the AppExchange pricing strategies.

 

Register today for the webinar to understand what are the different pricing strategies you can choose for your product.

 

AppExchange Partner Program License

The primary step in launching your monetized app is signing up for the Salesforce Partner Program. There are 2 different kinds of partner licenses to opt from: depending on the app type you’ll be offering. The licensing you choose impacts what your customers can achieve with your apps.

 

ISVforce

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) are enterprises that develop software for a distinct platform and application. It is one of the frequently chosen types of partnership by businesses wishing to monetize on the AppExchange via selling their application to the existing Salesforce users. Apps sold under this license are usually Salesforce ecosystem add-ons that let customers expand their functionality. Often, these apps are developed by entrepreneurs to address a market gap or improve CRM usability.

An ISVforce-license allows customers to add the licensed app to the Salesforce platform, increasing the product’s overall value and making it more customizable for diverse business sizes.

 

OEM Embedded

OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) create systems or components used in another business’s end product. Their solutions are employed to fully utilize the other software. OEM apps are not Salesforce add-ons. One of the major advantages of adopting an OEM Embedded license is that you aren’t restricted to only selling to Salesforce customers. Developers that build apps in the Salesforce Ecosystem now have additional freedom and flexibility with this license.

 

User licenses

Your app can either be providing a one-time upgrade or monthly updates to your customers’ Salesforce system. Choose your business model based on the type of service that your app offers.  You should also assess how many users are anticipated to need access to your application in each customer’s company; if more users have access to your solution, it’s worth thinking about issuing licenses based on the number of users.

 

Conclusion

Your SaaS product’s pricing can make or break its success. Setting the proper pricing for a SaaS business can be a challenge, but with the right plan, you can succeed. We can assist you with every step of the Salesforce process, from opportunity assessment to research to the final stages of the Salesforce Lifecycle. As a top PDO Expert, we’re a one-stop shop for all your SaaS needs.

 

Join us for our webinar on “Decoding the secret of successful Salesforce AppExchange App Pricing” on 30th June at 10:00 AM EST., where our experts will explain and guide you through the many complexities involved in developing an AppExchange pricing plan.

 

Limited seats available. Register today and confirm your seat.

 

Feature Image
Salesforce
June 6, 20220

Salesforce ISV Application Design- The Right Strategy

 

Being the #1 cloud computing marketplace, Salesforce AppExchange offers an enormous market for CRM-adjacent solutions. ISV partners who leverage Salesforce efficiently can grow faster and gain a strong market position using the extensive AppExchange ecosystem. The Salesforce platform is considerably distinct from other platforms in terms of product development. It demands extensive technical knowledge of best practices, frameworks, and scalable ways. On top of that, passing the Security Review is rather challenging. 

 

As an ISV, you can shorten time-to-market by partnering with a PDO specialized in development, legal, and technology. Choosing the right partner who can help you manage and comprehend Salesforce product management and market alignment is always a winning go-to-market strategy. Salesforce ISV application design can be completed in a variety of methods. We’ve laid out the optimal strategy, which includes certain tried-and-true concepts. Here are some guidelines you can follow to ensure product success on AppExchange.

Assess Product Market-Fit

 

To have the best chance of establishing product-market fit, you must first validate your idea. Your PDO partner can help you here.

To launch a successful product, you must first identify the right product-market fit for your idea and then highlight the features that will make your application valuable to your users. It all starts with posing questions and then undertaking market research to ensure that the responses are as precise as possible.

You can begin by asking critical questions such as, “What are the business challenges we can solve?”, “How are we solving them?” and “Who are we solving them for?”. Do solid competitive research, determine your USPs, and establish a product roadmap. 

Project Mapping & Cost Estimation

 

After determining product-market fit, you need to focus on architectural alignment with products for integration. It is critical to design a reliable, best-practice architecture for a perfect solution & user experience. After this, you can establish an implementation strategy and an MVP roadmap and estimate the associated expenses.

Functional and technical architecture is critical to a successful product. To ensure that, you have to take care of many considerations.  

 

Read more: HOW TO ENSURE BUSINESS SUCCESS ON APPEXCHANGE?

Design Thinking

 

Design Thinking

                                                                      (Design Thinking for ISV Application)

 

With design thinking, you can offer a comprehensive mobile and desktop experience that appeals to your users. 

Design thinking can be established through a variety of steps, including discovery, definition, UX design & testing, and auditing. 

  • The discovery stage comprises qualitative research & process assessments to better understand users & their needs.
  •  The defining stage is what connects internal and external employee experiences with business and technological capabilities to drive solutions. 
  • The UX design and test stage include collaborative revision and design validation. 
  • Finally, the audit stage checks design deliverables with development deliverables.

Salesforce Security and Compliance

 

Staying Compliant is the main delay challenge faced by ISVs. If everything is executed precisely, the procedure can take some months. Inefficient operations may double or triple the go-live time of your AppExchange product, putting potential strategic returns at risk.

Most ISV applications have permissible identified vulnerability issues that need approval by Salesforce and going for a pre-clearance will save you from unnecessary delays.

 

Connect with Us to get started

 

Choosing a Product Development Outsourcer with a proven record of success navigating the Salesforce ISV process and team eliminates the ambiguity from app development.

As a top Salesforce PDO specialist , CEPTES assists ISVs in navigating ISV, Product, Sales, and Legal team complexity, aligning a go-to-market plan and eliminating non-compliance risks.

 

Click here, If you are an ISV looking for PDO services and let our experts take charge.

History of AppExchange
AppExchange, Salesforce
February 16, 20220

The history of AppExchange and Steve Jobs’s role in it

Salesforce is a leading name for CRM and cloud technology for businesses. The robust platform has been helping companies to improvise sales operations, product innovation, and customer satisfaction for decades now.

The platform boasts of a leading enterprise cloud marketplace that goes by the name – AppExchange. You may call it the go-to destination for Salesforce customers if they wish to explore myriad applications and solutions for their Salesforce extension and implementation needs, right from pre-configured solutions to highly personalized processes. 

With over 5,000 solutions and more than 10 million downloads, the Salesforce AppExchange has undoubtedly come a long way since its launch in 2005. But its origins and history are equally interesting, going way back to Apple Founder Steve Jobs.

How? Read on to find out! 

  • The World’s Leading Enterprise Cloud Solution Marketplace

The Salesforce partner ecosystem of AppExchange could reportedly generate $1.2 trillion in new business revenue, along with 4.2 million new jobs in 2024. Dubbed as the world’s largest business application marketplace, Salesforce AppExchange has managed to build a thriving community around its unique premise over the last 16 years of its existence. 

Therefore, tracing its origins is nothing less than delightful, especially considering that the exchange was conceptualized by one of the most renowned geniuses of our times. 

Salesforce was co-founded in 1999 by Marc Benioff, Parker Harris, Frank Dominguez, and Dave Moellenhoff, as you may already be aware. The now global giant started its operations inside a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco and immediately took off. The Salesforce team had set up its own office by 2000 and held its first Dreamforce conference in 2003.

  • The Origins of the Application Economy Concept 

However, it is not the venture’s enterprising founders but another visionary credited with the visualization of Salesforce’s AppExchange. Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff approached Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in the early 2000s because he got stuck while working on his platform’s development. Then, Steve Jobs shared three game-changing recommendations to the enthusiast – work out a roadmap for 10x growth over the next two years, sign on a massive client, and build an application economy. 

  • The AppExchange is Born

On the lines of Jobs’ counsel, the Salesforce team built and introduced the now-famous AppExchange during Dreamforce 2005. AppExchange was created as a one-stop destination for Salesforce partners to list out their business applications for extending or augmenting Salesforce’s increasingly extensive functionality for the first time. 

Salesforce was also enabled to interoperate with other systems. Both the reforms were pathbreaking. 

As a gesture of gratitude for ideating the AppExchange that changed Salesforce forever, Marc Benioff gifted the trademark for “App Store” along with its domain to Steve Jobs. 

  • Onward Growth and Expansion 

The AppExchange ecosystem is one of the most vibrant marketplace ecosystems today, with 89% of Fortune 100 companies deploying its applications. The platform today boasts of much more than business applications and includes Lightning Components, Lightning Data, Bolt Solutions, Consulting Partners, and Developers. 

Offering enhanced security, faster implementation, and more excellent reliability, AppExchange applications truly transform business models and operations, as they have been for the last fifteen years. And yet, organizations require extensive technical knowledge and prior experience to fully leverage the vast benefits of these Salesforce solutions.

At Ceptes, we are helping our clients do exactly that by working with them as partners in the Salesforce ecosystem. As experts in Sales, Service, and Marketing Clouds, our team offers end-to-end Salesforce solutions tailored for niche industries along with opportunity evaluation for the entire lifecycle. 

Are you interested in extending your team with the best products from Salesforce AppExchange? Request a consultation today and explore the benefits of hiring us as your strategic partner in enterprise data management! Head for a detailed understanding of the platform with us first!

Salesforce PDO
PDO, Salesforce
March 16, 20210

Why is Salesforce PDO the Best Way to Start an AppExchange Business?

If you are familiar with Salesforce, most probably you already know about AppExchange as well. The online store comprises thousands of solutions ready to install. AppExchange is designed to support various key operations across industries and businesses.

Despite being so high in popularity, AppExchange is still a mystery for countless businesses when getting their app listed on it. Some even wonder as to what is the best way to start an AppExchange business! 

This post will cover AppExchange and Salesforce PDO (Product Development Outsourcers) and why Salesforce PDO is the best way to start an AppExchange business?  

A Salesforce PDO is basically a consulting partner & vendor having extensive knowledge in creating commercial apps for the AppExchange. The PDOs help craft the product, and you may rely on them to take care of your app’s marooned key areas as well. 

Salesforce PDOs take care of all technical and technology-related issues, including 3rd party integrations, implementation, customized development, and technical configuration. You may count on them for the Security Review process of Salesforce. Quite like Salesforce consultants, PDOs also have tiers as follows:

 

  1. Certified Navigators
  2. Certified Specialists
  3. Specialist Navigator
  4. Master Navigator

 

 

 

Most businesses prefer hiring Salesforce Product Development Outsourcers (PDOs) due to the following highly compelling reasons:

 

#1: PDOs Specialize and You Can Rely on Them at Every Step of the Process

Since PDOs have already worked for several businesses helping them start their AppExchange business, you can count on them to be there at every step throughout the process. You can leverage their expertise to better handle your product development lifecycle and beyond.

It is great if you could bring the PDO into the initial phase of your project, so they can be there whenever there is an issue or concern (at a smaller stage) and prevent it from becoming gigantic and difficult to manage.

While Salesforce PDOs are highly savvy on the Salesforce tools, platforms, and solutions, it doesn’t imply that each brings along the same level of experience and expertise in your business processes. You must choose a PDO who has been there in the industry for quite some time and has worked for businesses like that. The knowledge of the domain, products, and services matters a lot.

Read: 5 Reasons to Build your AppExchange Solution with a Product Development Outsourcer (PDO)

 

 

#2: Conversant with the Security Review Process

Salesforce’s Security Review process is a difficult yet vital part of starting an AppExchange business. The process tends to be highly complex and can easily confuse a less experienced PDO or novice. 

The inexperienced PDO may take long enough to decipher the cause of the problem, and finding a solution may appear a herculean task. That is why it is great to let the PDOs take care of this work for you.

The advantage of hiring a Salesforce PDO on your app development team is that these PDOs don’t leave the testers’ security aspect to take care of in the end. Rather, they make sure the security review is done throughout the process as prevention is always better than cure.

Also Read: Why Could Outsourcing Salesforce Product Development be a Strategic Decision?

 

 

#3. The Successful Pre-Sales Process

As PDOs have already worked in close coordination with countless Salesforce ISV teams, they can quickly sense whether an endeavor is going to be viable or a failure. They’ll help you get an insider scoop on the product’s strategies, thereby helping you decide better and make your app a grand success when you take it to the AppExchange.

 

 

Conclusion

With a Salesforce PDO supporting your app development and launch process, you can be sure that your AppExchange business will get a promising kick-start. CEPTES is a Salesforce Silver consulting and a PDO partner who can speed up the business value of your Salesforce.com investment through consultation, innovation, and digitization. If you want to build your next app on the AppExchange platform, get in touch with us.

AppExchange, PDO
September 30, 20200

5 Reasons to Build your AppExchange Solution with a Product Development Outsourcer (PDO)

Have an idea that can transform businesses?

Enter Product Development Outsourcers (PDOs). Product Development Outsourcers (PDOs) are Salesforce Consulting Partners and vendors who have expertise in building commercial apps and offer other services like training, funding, marketing, or selling your app.

I know what you are thinking: “Why should I share my idea with anyone at all?”

Well, believe us, you will gain much more than you are afraid to lose. PDOs don’t just hear your idea; they will best shape your idea as per the market trend. If that is not enough to convince you, here are five reasons to build with a PDO. 

Beauty of Outsourcing

It is very much possible that you might be busy creating, building, and publishing your app in Salesforce AppExchange to grant you instant success. In that case, you can consult with a PDO. 

They can handle all the complex processes involved throughout the app development process and much more. With this, you can focus on other important and exciting works that demand your attention.

CEPTES encourages entrepreneurial brains to consult with your idea.

Experts know better

We all know the experts are the best to consult. PDOs have expertise over the complete development cycle. They can work seamlessly with the teams and provide valuable insights, along with redirection when necessary.

It is suggested to bring in PDO partners early on so that they can take part in the early stages of the process and uncover problems and opportunities much more before. 

CEPTES offers excellent AppExchange product development services blending it’s 10+ years of Salesforce platform expertise & AppExchange app development experience with certified app developers. 

ALSO READ: How to Ensure Business Success on AppExchange?

Reliability and credibility

Remember to choose the PDO wisely with considerable experience in the field of focus. The key to do the research is to identify the PDO that offers various solutions – with concern for the client base and their feedback. 

Ensure the PDO ensures future services –without leaving you alone on the island – such as DevOps and Management and Integrations. A PDO should be such that you can rely on to be with your business at every step of the development cycle.

CEPTES offers a wide variety of solutions with a broad client base with generous feedback. We offer you the freedom to work to make you productive. With our transparent and flexible development processes, we will make sure you feel comfortable working with us.

Security

Salesforce security service is exceptionally complex, challenging enough for first-timers. PDOs being experts can handle this for you – apt to the needs of your app. 

With wobbling digitization, malware, viruses, and attacks are very common. This requires extreme control and security of any digital endpoint of your product.

CEPTES makes sure your app passes the security review.

Strategic partner

Every individual possesses some sense of revolutionary ideas – that is or can be – channelized towards entrepreneurial innovation. Nurturing your spark of an idea can grow into a tree, successfully and beautifully, never imagined.

CEPTES encourages entrepreneurial brains to consult us. We have the potential to convert a half-page idea into a billion-dollar success; we can guide you and your idea into the new future.

Summary

To summarise,

  1. Outsourcing inevitably increases your efficiency
  2. Professionals know the ins and outs of the system
  3. PDOs induce productivity and make you feel comfortable
  4. Security is the primary concern
  5. A wonderful strategic partner

CEPTES is a Salesforce Silver consulting & PDO partner that can guide you as your strategic partner to speed up the business value of your Salesforce.com investment through consultation, digitization, and innovation. If you are thinking of building your next app on the AppExchange platform, please get in touch.

ALSO READ: 5 Must Things To Consider While Outsourcing AppExchange App Development

Salesforce
September 15, 20200

How to Integrate WhatsApp with Salesforce

We all know WhatsApp is a popular messaging application used by more than 1.5 billion people in over 180 countries. Interacting with the customers on a broader user base like WhatsApp will skyrocket the business growth.

Want to integrate WhatsApp into your Salesforce?

Welcome aboard!

Here is a glimpse of a bird’s eye view of the options available.

Behold the gems to success:

Direct Approach

Your customers can communicate using the WhatsApp messaging app, and you can reply using just a Search console.

To set up WhatsApp integration, you need to have lightning experience with the digital engagement add-on SKU, or you need to have the following editions: Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Service cloud or Sales cloud.

You need to have permissions to configure messaging, authorize WhatsApp by customizing Application and managing authentication providers, and to view channels by viewing setup and configuration.

You can interact with your customers through customer-initiated conversations that require your response within 24 hours or through business-initiated, pre-approved, template messages that can be sent at any time.

Before sending an outbound notification through WhatsApp, you need to have an end user’s consent obtained through another communication channel such as email or text message or as a part of your company’s regular business processes.

You have the freedom to send text messages, images, messaging templates, and PDFs using WhatsApp. You can use up to 250 phone numbers for WhatsApp on your Facebook business manager account, with WhatsApp approval. Messages can be of a maximum of 1600 characters, image formats can be of PNG, JPEG, or JPG format, and file upload size can be of a maximum of 5 MB. 

You cannot send other components like stickers, audio files, locations, or contacts using WhatsApp. You can only view the message sent by the customer rather than the replies to specific messages.

Integrate using API

Depending on your business, you can integrate WhatsApp using REST/SOAP APIs. Although there are a lot of API libraries available, this approach is time-consuming and very rigid.

You should follow this approach only if your organization demands so, or there are security concerns to stick with it. This approach can be cost-effective if you develop the bridge prudently.

Install from AppExchange

Integrating WhatsApp using AppExchange is the easiest way. By installing and then configuring the App within a few hours, you will be able to integrate WhatsApp into Salesforce.

You need to ensure that the App is worth using, and the App development cycle is fast and consistent. Consult with the experts to find the perfect App that suits your needs.

Briefly, you can either

  1. Integrate using Salesforce in-built feature, or
  2. Integrate with the help of API libraries, or
  3. Use apps in Salesforce AppExchange.

If the business has special needs to connect with the customer deeply, then we can create our App to integrate with WhatsApp. Either you can create the App on your own or can consult with the expert PDO. 

CEPTES, as a Certified Salesforce Silver consulting partner with over a decade of technical expertise, provides the service starting from the initial build to test and deploy with an accelerated development cycle.

If you want to build an app or need any service, then consult now.

AppExchange
September 11, 20200

How to Ensure Business Success on AppExchange?

“An entrepreneurial mind never settles.”

Do you feel that the current pandemic will hinder your development? It would be best if you read this before arriving at such a pessimistic decision.

Don’t settle, stay updated

When everyone is against you, and everything is at stake, it is the right time to work on your idea.

Never discourage yourself when others are discouraged around you. 

There should be nothing that should be stopping you from working on your idea. 

Look around and identify the pain points in the business ecosystem. That’s where you should focus and think it through.

The next step should be planning your execution.

Plan beforehand

“Planning assures execution and then success”

Without a plan, you cannot succeed, especially when the odds are against you.

Your planning should also include knowing the market you are in and the niche attracted by your competitors.

Know the market and the competition

A product requires a market, and a market brings along competitors, especially in this unprecedented situation, when the competition is intense and dynamic.

Knowing the market and the competition also exposes you to a variety of ideas and opportunities that can help you develop your approach.

And once you get an idea, consult with an AppExchange Product Development Expert.

Consult with a certified PDO Expert

To have an idea is just the first step, but to realize it’s real potential, you need to consult a PDO.

PDOs have the potential to improvise and convert your idea into a billion-dollar successful business. Set aside a time slot to reach out to a PDO and discuss it with them. They are very open to discussing your idea and helping you provide muscles and bones to your plan.

ALSO READ: Role & Importance of a PDO Partner for a Successful AppExchange Product Lifecycle

Prioritize marketing

Focus on your App Listing and every other source of Marketing you can avail. Stay updated on the tools available to you and utilize them to your use to reach the potential customers of your product.

You should understand the value of the product and make others also understand the same. Show the customers how they can use your product in their day-to-day life in running their business.

One of the best ways to attract potential customers and, at the same time, validate the product is by utilizing the free to premium transition.

From free to premium

You can validate your idea by developing a prototype or template and later shift to premium apps. 

Premium apps primarily attract enterprises, but to understand the need for the product first, we need to release the free version of the app.

The duration during your product validation of your free app, you can reach out for investments, or create a website which will eventually help you to grow your business.

Even if you have attracted the customers of your niche, make sure that you retain them.

Focus on customer retention

The customers who used your product understanding the true essence and the value of your product will follow along with you. They are the niche you should be focusing on in the future.

The customers of your niche will also be willing to avail of your premium app if they appreciate the true potential of the product and the extent of the effect on their business due to your product.

Takeaways

In short,

  1. Stay updated, rise, and flourish.
  2. Pre-Planning is essential.
  3. Know your competitors.
  4. Consult a PDO about your idea.
  5. Marketing is essential.
  6. Start free, shift to premium.
  7. Retain customers of your niche.

CEPTES is along with you in this pandemic. We will get through this unforeseen situation. We encourage you to contact us if you have any ideas that can solve a B2B problem. There are still a lot of opportunities all around you, and we assure you that we, as your strategic partner, will guide you towards your future.

For more detail, contact us now.

ALSO READ: 5 Must Things To Consider While Outsourcing AppExchange App Development

AppExchange, Salesforce
September 9, 20200

5 Must Things To Consider While Outsourcing AppExchange App Development

Do you have an idea or a solution that can solve a complex B2B problem or automate a B2B process? It would be best to act on it before it gets out of your hand or slightly your brain. The next best step would be outsourcing your AppExchange app development into the hands of the experts.

“Experts do the best.”

Product Development Outsourcers (PDOs) are the Salesforce consulting Partners and vendors who have expertise in building commercial apps and offering services like training, funding, marketing, or selling your app.

A PDO can guide you through your adventurous journey as a partner and transform your half-page idea into a billion-dollar successful business.

Before outsourcing your AppExchange Application Development, here are the few things you must consider,

ALSO READ: Role & Importance of a PDO Partner for a Successful AppExchange Product Lifecycle

Know The Product

Knowing your product is the first step towards bringing your idea to life.

You should be well aware of what kind of problem your product will solve, i.e., whether it is Industry-specific or Tech-specific, whether it could be a flow component or an integration connector.

Dealing with several Salesforce approvals and a lot of associated details is a hectic task, so make sure your PDO handles these for you. 

Also, it is always better to talk to your PDO regarding the license models best suited for the product, such as the Enterprise or community-based models.

A PDO will be able to deal with these tasks associated with Salesforce for you.

Pricing Strategy

A product is successful when the product demand and price are on par with each other. Depending on the value of the product, you need to decide on your pricing strategy. You can choose to take through your app from a free to premium service, which opens a new set of options, i.e., when to shift from the free to premium services. PDOs can validate your idea if you are unsure about the pricing strategy of your application.

Security

In this digital era, hackers attack every possible box available on the Internet. Therefore, you need to understand the security required for your product. There is a list of questionnaires asked by Salesforce regarding the security associated with your product. Talk to your PDO about the security concern of the application.

DevOps and Management

DevOps is a critical activity that needs to be handled well; otherwise, it might be tough to deal with it in the future. Understanding the cascading failure effect of the DevOps demands expertise and skill.

“Driving in safety is more important than not to start.”

There is no idea which is the same up to now as it was during the ideation phase. The product changes during its lifetime, and managing these changes is very important. Make sure your PDO deals with the DevOps and management of the product before and after the building phase.

Testing

There are a lot of testing options available in the AppExchange Development to make sure your application becomes a success.

But, “More options mean more confusion.”

To make sure your application has undergone necessary testing procedures, contact the expert PDO before selling it.

To know about the Salesforce QA testing, best practices, and tips refer to the article “Top Salesforce QA trends and best practices.”

Let’s Conclude:

In short,

  1. Know your product and its needs.
  2. Develop a pricing strategy for your product.
  3. Secure your application.
  4. Manage your application building and DevOps.
  5. Test your product before selling it.

CEPTES, a Salesforce Silver Consulting Partner & PDO Specialist, can help you transform your idea into an enterprise app and great success. CEPTES sets aside amongst other PDOs because of its post conception stage services such as DevOps and management, which is a various tedious task. With our ten years of technical expertise, we can help you choose which license model, pricing strategy, and testing options are best suited for your product.

Thinking to talk and then move forward, then contact us.

ALSO READ: AppExchange Product Development Best Practices

AppExchange
August 31, 20200

7 Things You Need to Know About Selling in AppExchange

If you are a part of the massive Salesforce ecosystem, it is highly unlikely that you haven’t heard about AppExchange. AppExchange is the biggest marketplace built to sell apps that can extend the functionalities of Salesforce. 

When Salesforce users need certain functionalities that are not available in default Salesforce, and if the user isn’t interested in coding from scratch, then they will look for additional apps in the marketplace for solution. Currently, 5000+ apps are listed on the AppExchange spanning across various niche, category, industry, Salesforce products, etc. These apps are developed to help save cost, time, or automate multiple processes for users across verticals. 

But do you know how to sell efficiently using the AppExchange platform? Here are the 7 things you need to know in order to leverage the platform to unlock success. 

What can I do here?

Glad you asked! 

In AppExchange, you can create apps, Lightning Components, Lightning Data, Bolt Solutions, and Flow Solutions. 

Start building apps quickly by using Components made by Salesforce or create your custom components. 

Start your first step based on your everyday experience and create your apps. You should be able to explain to others what the product is, what it does, and its need.

You can start with Trailhead offered by Salesforce, which can level up your skills and build you for the future.

Stay in touch with AppExchange with weekly and monthly emails.

Demand paves for opportunity

Over 83% of Salesforce customers have at least one app from the AppExchange. Salesforce customers first reach out to AppExchange to find the perfect app they need. They need it because they don’t want to deal with the code and its associated bugs. So, there is always an opportunity for developers like you to develop apps that can help enterprises.

Streamlining Sales and marketing

Have a market strategy for your app and start the campaign before launch

In-house marketing facility includes— AppExchange Marketing Program, Sponsorship Sales, Partner Power Hour, Sell Like Salesforce Checklist, Top Demo Resources, and Additional Sales Resources. Remember to build an optimized and perfect AppExchange listing to attract and engage your customers.

Track your product

As with any application, there will be some unforeseen bugs, future updates, and don’t forget to maintain your app’s documentation. Also, remember to test your app for the Salesforce release. Stay updated to the help offered by Salesforce to better track your product like the new Einstein analytics apps. Einstein Analytics apps provide up-to-date data and help you to work with any device.

Security first

Plan for the steps for the security of your app beforehand. The process takes around eight weeks after your app and supporting documentation are complete, you’ve met all Salesforce’s requirements, and are within the agreed guidelines. Prepare yourself or your development team for the Salesforce review process to avoid the delayed launch of your product.

Work from anywhere

Amongst the pandemic, there is no better way to stay connected and work for the common purpose. Stay at your home and develop and sell apps in AppExchange. 

Recently the CEO of Salesforce assured and encouraged the customers to stay patient and calm yet keep growing.

Work.com is a Salesforce platform that facilitates Salesforce customers and partners to work safely amidst the pandemic. You can also start creating applications on this platform, just like AppExchange.

Outsource your App

Product Development Outsourcers (PDOs) offer expertise in building ISV apps, as well as other valuable services like training, marketing, and selling your app. PDOs can design and build your entire app, or take on specific features, like integrations. It’s better to contact a PDO to build the apps based on your idea because they can save your money.

CEPTES is a Salesforce Consulting, ISV & PDO partner that has been delivering top-notch Salesforce solutions across the globe for over a decade now. We have successfully built multiple AppExchange applications for various industries. With over 80% of Salesforce certified consultants, we are widely accepted as a leader in building AppExchange enterprise solutions.

If you are looking to take your idea to AppExchange with a next-gen enterprise application, please get in touch.

ALSO READ: AppExchange App Development Best Practices

AppExchange, Salesforce
August 25, 20200

Webinar – Transform your dream idea into a success AppExchange enterprise app

Do you have the next big idea that can potentially disrupt the market? Are you stuck somewhere in between ideation & execution? There we go. Here is an opportunity for you that can help you unleash the gateway to success. Join our AppExchange product development experts next week in an action-packed 30 minutes webinar to learn the key steps to build your next big product on AppExchange. 

AppExchange has been the biggest marketplace for applications built on the Force.com platform. Introduced in 2005, AppExchange currently has over 5000 applications with 6.5M+ installations. The marketplace offers apps for various niches, industries, categories, and specific functionalities that address multiple critical business challenges. Considered as the world’s #1 marketplace for apps, AppExchange is the home for many billion dollar apps today. 

Building an app on the Force.com platform and getting it listed on the AppExchange is not an easy task. You need a high level of expertise along with Salesforce platform knowledge, a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem & how it works, as well as other aspects related to adopting & implementing the best practices for a successful app launch by mitigating the risks, minimizing the costs, and accelerating the GTM time. This is where it is important to understand the role of a Salesforce PDO partner and how they can help you streamline your app development process leveraging their platform expertise and app building experience. 

In the upcoming webinar, our certified AppExchange product development experts will cover all the aspects related to AppExchange product development including the cost, time, roadmap, and how to take care of all the critical phases related to technology adoption, app design, development, security reviews, testing, pricing, and launching. The webinar will also talk about the advantages of having a PDO partner & how they can help you transform your idea into an amazing AppExchange solution. 

Join us on 2nd September at 10:00 AM PST to explore end-to-end AppExchange product development that will include:

  • What is the cost of building an app on AppExchange?
  • What is the time involved?
  • What could be the roadmap and what are all the aspects to consider?
  • Who will own the app? (How to Protect Intellectual Property Rights)

WEBINAR DETAILS

Title: Transform your Dream Idea into a Successful AppExchange Enterprise App

Date & Time: 2nd September, 10:00 AM PST

Duration: 30 mins

Get yourself ready to cope with the COVID-aftermath & transform your next big idea into a successful enterprise AppExchange application. 

Please register here.