Google Cultivates an Ecosystem

Google has ripped a page out of Salesforce.com’s handbook and has started up an AppExchange-like Solutions Marketplace site to cultivate third-party programs that complement its own widgetry, initially stuff like Google Apps and enterprise search.

But Google says it expects it to “grow to fit the needs of an expanding set of Google customers and developers.”

It’s an expansion on the Enterprise Solution Gallery that Google started last year.

Anybody with a Google Account and solutions that incorporate Google APIs or products is eligible. But the solution must meet with Google approval to be included in the catalog. Unlike Salesforce, it is not hosting the apps.

The vendor can collect payments at its own site or through a Google Checkout Merchant Account.

Google is offering Google Analytics to count vendor pageviews and click-throughs and of course they will want to advertise.

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