Decoding Salesforce AppExchange for paid apps and beyond

Summary

In this conversation, Abhinav and Chirag discuss the ISV ecosystem of Salesforce and the nuances of listing a paid app on AppExchange. They also touch on the topic of chatbots and the Salesforce AMP program. Chirag shares his journey as an ISV and talks about his app, Metadata Search. They discuss the development cycle for building apps and the importance of having a strong business plan. They also address the challenges of customer requests for customizations and the decision to offer unmanaged code. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the ISV ecosystem and offers valuable tips for ISV partners. In this part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the options for ISVs when it comes to building and pricing their apps. They talk about the use of unmanaged packages, feature management, and extension packages. They also discuss the importance of setting the right pricing strategy, including per user or per org pricing, tiered pricing, and multi-year discounts. The speakers also touch on the topics of trials, support, and the use of chat tools.

Takeaways

Listing a paid app on AppExchange requires understanding the nuances of the ISV ecosystem and the marketing tools provided by Salesforce.
Building a successful app involves having a strong business plan, conducting market analysis, and starting with a minimum viable product (MVP).
Customer requests for customizations should be carefully evaluated to ensure they align with the core product and do not compromise its integrity.
Offering unmanaged code should be approached with caution, considering the potential risks and implications for the product's security and intellectual property.
Maintaining a strong support system, providing regular updates, and focusing on customer satisfaction are key factors for the success of an app on AppExchange. ISVs should avoid using unmanaged packages and instead consider options like feature management and extension packages.
Pricing strategies for ISVs can include per user or per org pricing, tiered pricing, and multi-year discounts.
Trials are important for customers to test the app, and feature management can be used to control access to certain features during the trial period.
Support is crucial for the success of an app, and ISVs should consider offering global support and building a strong knowledge base.
Chat tools can be useful for providing real-time support to customers, but it's important to have a team available to respond to chat inquiries.