A Guide to Listing App or Product on Salesforce AppExchange

To create a Salesforce App, coding experience is not mandatory. Apex and JavaScript are the key languages used in Salesforce App development. However, one can create a Salesforce App even without having any technical expertise in coding. Familiarity with the Salesforce platform is also crucial. If you don’t have coding experience, you can learn it through Apex tutorials on Trailhead.  

To create an App with advanced functionality, knowledge of JavaScript for developing Lightning Web Components is also helpful. Salesforce Admins with prior experience in the platform will find it easier to create an App. 

Why is there a need to get your App on Salesforce AppExchange? 

AppExchange is a trusted enterprise cloud marketplace used by 90% of Fortune 500 companies and 150,000+ Salesforce customers.  

With the ability to market and sell your app in over 100 countries, AppExchange offers a huge business opportunity with solutions installed over 10 million times. By listing your app on AppExchange, you can tap into this vast customer base and gain exposure for your app, leading to increased sales and potential growth opportunities.  

Therefore, getting your app listed on AppExchange is a valuable step for Salesforce companies looking to grow their business and expand their customer base. 

Let us read on for a quick step-wise guide on Salesforce AppExchange: 

Step-by-Step Guide to List Your App on Salesforce AppExchange: 

Sign Up: Begin by signing up for the Salesforce Partner Program, which is a free program that gives you access to resources and tools for building and selling your app on AppExchange. 

Prepare Your App: Ensure that your app meets the technical and security standards set by Salesforce and that it is ready for commercial use. 

Create a Listing: Create a detailed listing for your app on AppExchange that includes screenshots, videos, images, and a description of your app’s functionality. 

Pass Security Review: Submit your app for security review to ensure that it meets the necessary security and privacy standards. 

Publish Your Listing: Once your app has passed security review, publish your listing on AppExchange. Your app will be available for customers to find and install. 

Manage Your Listing: Regularly update your listing to keep it current and reflective of any changes to your app. Respond to customer reviews and feedback to maintain a positive reputation on AppExchange. 

Start Marketing: Utilize the Salesforce marketing and sales resources to reach potential customers and drive app installations.  

Step-by-Step Guide to List Your App on Salesforce AppExchange:  

1. Sign Up for Salesforce Partner Program: Begin by signing up for the Salesforce Partner Program, which is a free program that gives you access to resources and tools for building and selling your app on AppExchange. To sign up, you need to have a Salesforce account and complete the partner registration process. 

2. Prepare Your App: Before listing your app on AppExchange, ensure that it meets the technical and security standards set by Salesforce and that it is ready for commercial use. Your app should be functional, scalable, and reliable, with proper documentation and testing.

3. Create a Detailed Listing: Create a detailed listing for your app on AppExchange that includes screenshots, videos, and a description of your app’s functionality. Your listing should clearly and accurately describe your app’s features and benefits, and highlight its value to Salesforce customers.

4. Decide on Pricing for your App: After submitting the listing, decide on costing of the app. You can either make the App available for free of cost or decide on pricing for monthly/annually subscription.

5. Pricing Models 

• Free 
• Paid, Using Checkout 
• To let customers buy the product with a credit card or bank transfer on AppExchange, choose Paid, Using Checkout. 
• The payment is accepted & handled by Salesforce using Stripe. 
• Paid, without Checkout 
• To manage purchases with your own payment infrastructure, choose Paid, Without Checkout. 
• This payment method requires an agreement with Salesforce. 
• You must also set up the License Management App and Channel Order App in your Partner Business Org. 

6. Pass Security Review 

Submit your app for security review to ensure that it meets the necessary security and privacy standards. The review process assesses your app’s security, data privacy, and compliance with Salesforce policies. 

Don't forget to check out: Rev Up Your Business With Top 10 Free Apps On Salesforce AppExchange

The Salesforce Security Review process is a critical step in getting your app listed on the AppExchange. The review is conducted by a team of security experts who assess your app’s design, implementation, and operation to ensure that it meets the highest security standards. The review process evaluates the following aspects of your app: 

1. Data Security: The review assesses the security measures in place to protect sensitive customer data. This includes evaluating the encryption of data in transit and at rest, secure data storage practices, and access controls.

2. Authentication and Authorization: The review evaluates the mechanisms in place to authenticate users and control access to sensitive data. This includes assessing the security of passwords, session management, and Single Sign-On (SSO) integration.

3. Code Quality and Testing: The review examines the quality of your app’s code and the measures you have taken to validate and test it. This includes code reviews, testing frameworks, and continuous integration practices.

4. Privacy: The review assesses the measures in place to protect customer privacy. This includes evaluating the collection, storage, and use of customer data, and the transparency of privacy policies.

5. Compliance: The review assesses the compliance of your app with industry standards and regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

The review process can take 6-8 weeks, and the results are communicated to you once the review is complete. If your app passes the review, it will be certified and eligible for listing on the AppExchange. If there are any issues or areas for improvement, the security review team will provide recommendations to help you resolve them. It is important to ensure that your app meets the highest security and privacy standards to protect your customers and maintain their trust. 

7. Publish Your Listing: Once your app has passed security review, publish your listing on AppExchange. Your app will be available for customers to find and install. You can also configure pricing and licensing options for your app, as well as set up a payment system for receiving revenue from app sales. 

8. Manage Your Listing: Regularly update your listing to keep it current and reflective of any changes to your app. Respond to customer reviews and feedback to maintain a positive reputation on AppExchange. You should also monitor your app’s performance and address any issues that may arise. 

9. Start Marketing Your App: Utilize the Salesforce marketing and sales resources to reach potential customers and drive app installations. This includes leveraging the AppExchange Partner Program, utilizing social media and other digital marketing channels, and building relationships with Salesforce customers. 

By following these steps, you can successfully get your app listed on Salesforce AppExchange and tap into the large customer base available on this platform. 

Updating your app on AppExchange 

Your app passed the AppExchange review process & got listed on the AppExchange. Your customers are loving the app. At the same time, some are asking for more features to be added. The process to update the app on AppExchange is quite straightforward. 

1. Implement the changes in your development org & complete the testing. 
2. Migrate the changes to the packaging org. 
3. Update the managed package with the new components. 
4. Upload a new version & install in your testing orgs. 
5. Update the package version in the AppExchange portal 
6. Go to Security Review tab & submit the app for security review. Include the updated documentation. 
7. It takes comparatively less time for the security team to review the updates compared to the security review of the entire app. 

Some Details on Salesforce Partner Program 

Access to Resources: As a partner, you will have access to a variety of resources, including the Partner Community, where you can connect with other partners, ask questions, and get support. You will also have access to the Partner Learning Center, where you can take courses and certifications to improve your skills and knowledge. 

Marketing and Promotion: The Salesforce Partner Program provides a variety of marketing and promotion tools, including access to the AppExchange Partner Marketing Center, which can help you promote your app and reach a wider audience. 

Technical Support: As a partner, you will receive technical support and assistance to help you with the app building and submission process. The Salesforce Partner Support team is available to help you with any questions or issues you may have. 

Revenue Opportunities: By selling your app on AppExchange, you have the opportunity to generate revenue and grow your business. The Salesforce Partner Program provides a number of revenue-generating opportunities, including the ability to sell your app through the AppExchange and receive payments directly from Salesforce. 

 To sign up for the Salesforce Partner Program, you need to have a Salesforce account and complete the partner registration process. Once you have completed the registration process, you can access the resources and tools available to partners and begin the process of getting your app listed on the AppExchange. 

Check out another amazing blog by SP here: Unlocking the Power of Salesforce for Insurance Agency Management

 FAQs 

Q1: How do I add apps to Salesforce AppExchange?  

To add an app on Salesforce AppExchange, follow these steps: 

1. Log in to your Salesforce account 
2. Go to the AppExchange marketplace by clicking the “AppExchange” link in the top right corner of your Salesforce account 
3. Browse or search for the app you want to install 
4. Click the “Get It Now” button next to the app 
5. Review the app details, including any fees and permissions required, and then click “Continue” 
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app, which may include granting permissions and setting up any necessary configurations. 
7. Once the installation is complete, the app will appear in your Salesforce account under the “App” drop-down menu. 

Note: Some apps may require additional setup or configuration after installation, so be sure to follow any instructions provided by the app vendor. 

Q2: Who are the consultants listed on AppExchange? 

Consultants listed on Salesforce AppExchange are professionals who specialize in providing implementation, customization, and support services for Salesforce solutions and apps. These consultants have expertise in various areas such as Salesforce administration, development, integration, and more. They can help businesses of all sizes and industries to streamline their processes, improve collaboration, and get the most out of their Salesforce investment. Consultants listed on AppExchange have gone through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure their expertise and meet the standards set by Salesforce. They are certified and have demonstrated a high level of expertise and customer satisfaction. SP Tech too is proudly listed on Salesforce AppExchange! 

Q3: How can you find an AppExchange app after you install it? 

There are several ways to find a Salesforce AppExchange app after you install it: 

• App Launcher: The App Launcher is a central place to access all of your Salesforce apps. After you install an app from the AppExchange, you can access it by clicking on the App Launcher in the upper-left corner of your Salesforce screen and selecting the app from the list. 

• Setup Menu: You can also find your installed AppExchange app in the Setup menu. Go to Setup > Installed Packages to view a list of all installed apps, including those from the AppExchange.
   
• Tabs: If your app includes a custom tab, you can access it by clicking on the Tabs menu in the top navigation bar. You can add or remove tabs from this menu to customize your Salesforce interface.

• Search: You can use the Global Search bar to search for specific objects, records, or apps in Salesforce. Simply enter keywords related to your app and click on the search icon.   

• Home Page Components: If you have added a custom component to your Home Page, such as a report or a dashboard, you can access it from the home tab. 

By using any of these methods, you can easily find and access your AppExchange app in Salesforce.