siteXpansion.com Developer Network FAQ

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Developer Network (SXDN) Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a SXDN Subscriber? The following FAQs should help with that question.

Q: What programming language does siteXpansion use?
A: PHP5.

Q: What are the server requirements?
A: PHP5 and Zend Optimizer.

Q: Can't I just develop siteXpanders without joining the SXDN?
A: No. The siteXpansion licensing system is internal to our servers, and must be used to install siteXpanders.

Q: Why do you charge to be a SXDN subscriber?
A: We have invested heavily in developing the tools and training available for SXDN members. Additionally, our interest is in having serious SXDN members, and a financial commitment is a great way to demonstrate seriousness.

Q: Can anyone be a SXDN subscriber?
A: Yes, there are no preconditions to be a SXDN subscriber. However, siteXpansion, Inc. reserves the right to reject any application for any reason.

Q: You're just starting up. Isn't it risky to join now?
A: Yes, in fact, it is a bit risky. That is why we are rewarding those who take that risk early with discounted SXDN subscription rates and ongoing benefits as Charter Subscribers. It is simply a matter of balancing the risk factor with the knowledge that siteXpansion is heading in the right direction, with the right leadership.

Q: Would I have minimum activity to remain a SXDN subscriber?
A: No. Some people/companies will subscribe simply to be "in the loop" on siteXpansion activities. We will not be monitoring subscribers for minimum activity to remain subscribed.

Q: Does being a SXDN subscriber mean I can announce I am an approved siteXpansion partner?
A: No. We will be working on a system of certifying people, but that is down the road.

Q: Is the SXDN subscription fee annual?
A: Yes. Subscribe in July as an Enterprise level subscriber and you'll have lifetime discounted subscription fees!

Q: Can a SXDN subscriber create custom Applications for clients, then reuse them for other clients, without putting them into the SXP store? If so, how does licensing work for that, and, can someone create their own store to sell their own siteXpanders?
A: The short answer is “Yes”. Each siteXpander Application uses the siteXpansion Core and ADMIN Application; and therefore, will have a Core Charge of $15 per installation. In addition, the base licensing is processed thru and managed by our license manager and therefore, incurs a $10 License Manager Fee.

So, all siteXpander Applications, whether sold through the siteXpansion.com store, your own store, or distributed to your clients directly, will require a simple $25 charge per installation. When sold thru our store (or your own store) a background API will be provided to automatically handle this $25 fee. When distributed to your clients individual (as in custom projects), a backend interface in your SXDN account screens will allow you to pay the $25 fee.

siteXpansion Connectors and PlugIns don’t function as stand-alone Applications, so therefore don’t incur a Core Charge. They will only incur a $10 fee, with the same base rules as Applications. If someone wanted to have their own store, separate from the siteXpansion.com store, to sell their own siteXpanders, then they would only pay the Core Charge and License Manager Fee, not sales commissions.

The Core Charge fee are reduced for Enterprise SXDN Subscribers based on the following calendar month Application product sale counts:

150 $14.00
300 $12.00
500 $10.00

Q: What are the commissions/listing fees for selling siteXpanders on the siteXpansion.com store, and, what is to prevent siteXpansion from just increasing those commissions ridiculously high 2 years down the road?
A: For each siteXpander Application that is sold in our store, there is a one time listing fee of $100. Version upgrades (not minor updates), added as a separate product, have a $50 listing fee. Minor updates are handled without charge. The listing and upgrade fees will be less for Connector and PlugIn siteXpanders.

Certification will be available, which results in a large "Certified" icon and top results in searches at the siteXpansion.com store. Certification involves testing the Application in a test store with all other certified Applications to test compatibility and basic stability. Certifications will be $500 as a one time charge (version upgrades will need to be recertified, at a reduced cost). Four Certifications each year are included with the Enterprise Level SXDN Subscription.

For siteXpander Applications sold in the siteXpansion.com store, the initial sales commission is 20% of after-fee sales amount. There is an additional base affiliate fee of 5% of retail that is charged ONLY if an affiliate fee is paid out. In the case of no affiliate, the affiliate fee is paid to the developer. This affiliate fee can be increased on a per-product basis by the developer if desired to promote affiliate referrals, but the minimum is 5%. So, here's an example for a $499 siteXpander Application:

$499.00 retail - $20.00 (Core Charge) - $5.00 (License Fee) = $474.00
$474.00 - $94.80 (20% of $474) = $379.20
$379.20 - $24.95 (5% affiliate fee base, if paid out) = $354.25 (71% of retail)

And for a $999 siteXpander Application:

$999.00 retail - $20.00 (Core Charge) - $5.00 (License Fee) = $974.00
$974.00 - $194.80 (20% of $974) = $779.20
$779.20 - $49.95 (5% affiliate fee base, if paid out) = $729.25 (73% of retail).

The 20% commission is the base. That commission percentage is reduced for Enterprise Developer SXDN Subscribers based on the following calendar month sales totals:

$10,000: 18%
$20,000: 16%
$40,000: 13%

siteXpansion will set up an agreement with SXDN subscribers that says that these fees/commissions will remain the same for 2 years, and commissions will not increase more than 1% per year, if at all, for 3 additional years. Business wise, since our structure will allow others to sell siteXpanders outside our store, it behooves us to keep our commission structure reasonable.

Note: 25% of the sales commissions we receive will go directly into a marketing account for advertising/marketing of the siteXpansion.com store.

Q: Can the Professional Integrators create siteXpanders?
A: Yes, Professional Integrators can create siteXanders, they just can't sell them in the siteXpansion.com store or anyone else's store. For each siteXpander they create and install, they will have to log into their SXDN admin account, enter the custom Application information, and purchase a license (cost is Core Charge + License Manager Fee).

Q: Between Developer and Enterprises Developer, what justifies the $2,000 cost difference?
A: Between Developer and Enterprise Developer, there are several additional benefits.

Developer level can only sell their siteXpander products thru the siteXpansion.com store. Enterprise level subscribers can sell thru their own store, with an API interface that will contact the siteXpansion server for license generation and management.
Enterprise Developers are charged no listing fees for the first 10 Applications, 10 Accessories and 10 Connectors per year at the siteXpansion.com store.
Enterprise Developers receive the first 4 certifications (per year) without charge.
Enterprise Developers receive one free seat in each SXP University (coming soon) class, and reduced rates on additional seats.

Q: Theoretically, could someone build an app right now? In other words, is the core and admin ready enough for that?
A: Theoretically, yes. The #1 thing currently lacking is the documentation. The actual API has been quite stable for the past couple of months.

Q:How restrictive, and how robust, is the core? In other words, would developers be held back in capability by rules that force compatibility with other siteXpanders?
A: Basically there are no restrictions. Your siteXpander Applications are not required to use the Core directly, but can perform all security/database/templates/output/etc. completely on their own. The exception to this is the base Application object, which is the hook into the Core/ADMIN.