If you’re a software designer that’s new to the concept of cloud marketplaces, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. What are cloud marketplaces? How do works? And why should I sell on them in the first place?
You’re not alone, for many designers, this is their first foray into the online marketplace space. This article aims to provide answers to your most pressing questions about cloud marketplaces. To get started, let’s quickly define what a cloud marketplace is.
What is a cloud marketplace and why should I sell on one?
A Cloud Marketplace Platform allows users to upload their software products and sell them online. It is essentially an online store for software developers.
When you’re selling on a cloud platform, you’re not limited to one user base. Rather, the website hosts your app and distributes it to a number of different users. This is often referred to as “multitenant.”
So why should you sell on cloud platforms? How are they better than your own website?
Well, for starters, it’s free to set up. That’s right. It doesn’t cost anything at all.
Furthermore, on a cloud platform, you can manage all your licenses from one single dashboard. This saves you precious time and effort.
How do I choose the right platform for my business?
Alright, so now let’s talk about the different types of cloud platforms out there. As a software developer, these 3 options are your most likely candidates:
1) Amazon AWS Marketplace
2) GCP Marketplace
3) Azure Marketplace
As you can see, all 3 of these cloud platforms are run by major players in the tech industry. Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure all offer their own marketplace. If you’re looking to sell your software online, this is where you should start.
How to get started with your first sale
So now that you know what a cloud marketplace is and why you should sell on one, the next step is actually making your first sale! It’s easy – all you need to do is upload your software products.
If you’re selling an app or product that runs in the browser (such as a SaaS), this means uploading it to Amazon AWS, GCP, or Azure.
If you’re selling desktop software (Mac, Windows, etc.), uploading it on either of the 3 cloud marketplaces is simple, too!
Finally, if you’re selling a plugin for another platform (such as WordPress) there are specific plugins that allow you to do this easily.
Why do you need a professional account manager for increased sales?
Alright, so now let’s talk about the benefits of having a professional account manager. This person will manage your entire cloud marketplace presence, from marketing to customer relations. Of course, they’re going to get paid out of all your profits – but, as a business owner, this is a small price to pay for a massive increase in sales!
The average price for a customer relations manager is about $25 per hour. This person’s job is to work your profit margins and maximize your revenue from each sale! They’ll also assist in creating marketing strategies that ensure that you’re getting the most out of your presence on the platform.
So, with a customer relations manager, you’re paying $25 per hour. This means that if they give you an hour of their time (which is worth about $25) and increase your revenue by $100, then it’s like they only cost you $10!
If you want to make more money from each sale you make, this is your best bet.
The benefits of selling on multiple marketplaces at once
So now let’s discuss the advantages of selling on more than one cloud marketplace at a time! If you’re looking to increase your customer base and revenue, this is the way to go.
By selling on multiple cloud marketplaces you experience the following:
- Can increase revenue by up to 20%
- Makes your products available on a global scale which increases the customer base
- Reduces piracy (piracy is less likely if customers have already purchased the product)
- You’re no longer limited by geographical location – there are buyers that want to purchase your products all over the world!
- Simplify management of products! When customers purchase licenses for your software on a platform, they can use it immediately without having to download or update anything. That saves them time!
Tips for increasing customer satisfaction and retention rates when using a cloud marketplace
Alright, so now let’s talk about how to increase customer satisfaction and your retention rates.
Basically, the most important thing you can do is communicate with your customers! Ensure that they’re satisfied not just with their purchase, but also in the purchasing process. This means sending them weekly sales reports (so they know you’re not just taking their money and disappearing).
If you want to go the extra mile, here are some things you can do for your customers!
- Include links in your emails where users can contact you 24/7
- Give exclusive discounts to regular customers
These are just a few ways that you can increase customer satisfaction and retention rates.
Conclusion
So now that you’ve read through all of this, hopefully, you have a better idea of what cloud marketplace is and why you should sell on one.
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