What is a listing page?

A listing page is a way to list an extension in the Extension Warehouse without hosting it there. The extension is hosted at your own website but shows up when searching on Extension Warehouse. When clicking on the extension, it has images and a description like any other extension, but instead of a download button there is a link to your own website.

 

A listing page is an exception to the general rule of hosting extensions in Extension Warehouse.

Why are hosted extensions preferred?

There are a number of benefits to hosting extensions at Extension Warehouse.

 

It's a more streamlined experience for the end user to download the extension directly, without having to go to another website and find a download button there. When opening the Extension Warehouse inside of SketchUp, hosted extensions can even be directly installed in a single click.

 

SketchUp and Extension Warehouse come with an updated infrastructure. When you release a new version, users will be asked if they want to update.

 

Last but not least, we perform basic quality control on Extensions hosted in Extension Warehouse, ensuring they do not clash with other extensions, but sometimes also giving advice for possible improvements.

When to use listing pages?

Some extensions cannot be distributed as a simple RBZ file but require a more complex installer. These cannot be hosted in Extension Warehouse. But a listing page allows you to be visible and draw traffic from Extension Warehouse!

 

Example: V-Ray

When not to use listing pages?

• To use your own licensing system 

  • You can host in EW but have the user buy a license from your store as in app purchase

• To bypass extension reviews 

  • We don't want end users to get bad extensions. Extensions that don't pass the review really shouldn't be published at all

• To not have to wait for extension review 

  • Outside of holidays we typically get extensions reviewed within a single business day or two

• Add more…

Further reading:

Creating an RBZ file

Internal Use Only

When to allow a Listing Page

• Extensions that cannot be distributed as a simple RBZ file but require a more complex installer. Example: V-Ray

• Extensions that don’t have a licensing system in place. They are distributed to the user after a simple off-site purchase. Example: Smustard

 

Invalid Reasons for a Listing Page

• To use your own licensing system 

  • You can host in EW but have the user buy a license from your store as in app purchase

• To bypass extension reviews 

  • We don't want end users to get bad extensions. Extensions that don't pass the review really shouldn't be published at all

• To not have to wait for extension review 

  • Outside of holidays we typically get extensions reviewed within a single business day or two

• To bypass the 30% cut.

  • The In-App purchase option

    • Change the Download Page to say “Get” or “Download” or something

    • Mark the page clearly as “In-App Purchase”

    • Filter Tag in the Search