By Benjamin Wilson
CEO
CFXtras.com, Charlotte, NC

Selling your Components, CFX's and Custom Tags at CFXtras is easy and fast. Maximize your profits and save valuable time by uploading as many Components as you like and by updating your listing as often as you wish.

What to Do

So you have a commercial version of your custom tag for sale. Now what?

First, list your software with Allaire's Developers Exchange. The service is free, but not without drawbacks. Its primary disadvantage is that you can't sell your software there. Designed to list freeware and shareware only, the DevEx requires you to provide additional information along with links to e-commerce sites if you want to sell your release. Usually, this isn't a big issue as most custom tag developers don't make commercial-release versions of their software.

Second, list your software in other lesser-known CF directories. Several 'tag galleries' mirror the DevEx's capabilities, but none carry its volume of software. Some of these sites are merely frames-enabled sites with pop-up windows from the software vendor's website. Even though you may get lost in a world of IE windows, these sites can be helpful.

Finally, set up a location on your company or personal website to promote your software, place a download page, and even run a demonstration version for potential buyers.

If you can generate visits to a website where developers and users can read about and demo your software, you stand a much better chance of distributing and selling it. The key to selling your commercial custom tags is to provide a means for potential customers to purchase your software wherever they see it advertised. If your customers don't know how or where they can buy your product, they won’t.

Introducing CFXtras.com

CFXtras.com is a commercial software e-vendor that sells custom tags and components to ColdFusion developers. Think of us as an online vending machine for your custom tags. Customers come to our store, pick out what they want, put in their money, and download your software. Software ratings and reviews from other customers are also available for your study. All necessary documentation and instructions can be found at CFXtras.com, where you can also compare various products to find the best software for your needs. At CFXtras.com, we help you quickly find the software you’re looking for, assist you in the decision-making and purchasing process, and provide a place for you to buy.

The Benefits

It’s incredibly easy for you to sell your software at CFXtras.com. By creating a free account and uploading commercial or evaluation versions of your software, you can quickly capitalize on the branding and marketing opportunities CFXtras.com can offer you.

Here are a few steps to successfully selling your custom tags through CFXtras.com.

1. Read the license agreement at CFXtras.com to sell your commercial software. Set up an account and upload your software. Each piece of uploaded software is assigned a unique product ID.
2. List your software’s evaluation versions at the Allaire Developer’s Exchange and provide links to the commercial versions at CFXtras.com. Again, be sure to use the product ID to link directly to your component at CFXtras.com.
3. Advertise your software on your website. Include documentation, evaluation versions, contact information and any other support data that you feel is helpful. Don’t forget the product ID link to CFXtras.com!
4. Be sure to keep your CFXtras.com account up to date. Keep your mailing and e-mail addresses correct, and make sure that any documentation and support data is included with your software listing at CFXtras.com. This provides a smooth support experience for your customer.
5. When sales of your software occur, you will see your profits deposited into your account. You can log onto CFXtras.com to review your sales history and you can request that a check be cut for you at any time.

Give It a Try

With the new agreement between Allaire and Macromedia, the number of developers looking for custom tags will easily double. This means that you, the custom tag developer, needs to prepare for the sales opportunities ahead. CFXtras.com is positioned perfectly to help you maximize your future sales.

If you've listed a commercial component at Allaire's DevEx, also list it at CFXtras.com. It’s easy to list your product, and we will eliminate the need for you to set up an e-commerce site to sell to and serve your customers. You won't have to pay a monthly fee for a credit-card service, and CFXtras.com pays for advertising your software. By using CFXtras.com, developers can buy and receive your software in less than five minutes.

- Benjamin Wilson specializes in building paperless e-commerce companies, takes consulting work and teaches ColdFusion courses at Lodestone Digital in Charlotte, N.C.

What's next?

• To read about selling your software at CFXtras, click here.
• To log into your account, click here.
• To browse the latest software, click here.
• To research advertising your product or service, click here.
• To contact CFXtras with a comment or question, click here.