If you have a business app available through the Amazon marketplace, there’s a new way to get it noticed. Amazon recently announced a Developer Select program that will offer preferential treatment to those meeting what seem to be fairly minimal standards.
You’ll find a brief overview of the new program in this video:
Here’s what’s involved:
- Apps must be compatible with all designated Amazon devices.
- These devices currently include Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch 4G.
- As of Jan. 1, 2014, they must also be compatible with the recently announced Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HDX and Kindle Fire HDX 8.9-inch.
- Apps must render in native high definition on all these devices at full screen without distortion, stretching or pixelation and must have high definition screenshots to go with them.
- They must use Amazon In-App Purchase API if they allow in-app purchasing and Amazon Mobile Ads API if the app displays ads.
- There are a number of additional requirements if your app is a game.
Benefits of the Amazon Developer Select Program
Once you sign up for the program, there are a number of benefits that will put your app ahead of the rest. Here are some of the basics:
- 500,000 free mobile ad impressions on Amazon’s Mobile Ad Network.
- Merchandising in a dedicated section of the Amazon app store.
- Consideration for advertising on Kindle Fire.
- Customers who buy your app or an in-app purchase get 30 percent of the purchasing price in Amazon coins, the retailers new virtual currency, and first-time buyers get 250 extra bonus coins.
- 25 percent back on the cost of Amazon Web Services up to $500 a year to help you scale your business.
Getting apps noticed can be harder than some first-time publishers realize. Fortunately, most of the requirements for participation in the program seem as if they would make for a stronger app offering anyway.
Image: Amazon
Clever move by Amazon to ensure that apps are designed with their Kindle Fire devices in mind.
This is a great opportunity for Amazon developers to finally get noticed. It’s also a good way to make sure that the value of their Kindle Fire is increased. As more developers create apps that are compatible with the device, the value of it increases.
Joshua,
Great news!
Promoting an app is very, very challenging. 500K free mobile app impressions offer – along with other perks – is a big help for new app publisher.