How to Bundle Marketplace Apps into Your CRM SaaS Plans
What Is Bundling Marketplace Apps in SaaS Plans?
Bundling Marketplace apps in your CRM SaaS plans allows you to include approved third-party applications directly within your subscription packages. When a new sub-account is created under a plan that includes bundled apps, those apps are automatically installed. This streamlines setup, ensures consistency across client accounts, and accelerates their time to value.
Key Benefits of Bundling Marketplace Apps
Incorporating Marketplace apps into your plans offers several advantages for scaling your agency efficiently.
- Automated Installation: Apps are installed in new sub-accounts without manual intervention.
- Flexible Pricing: Choose to absorb app costs or include them in your plan pricing with a markup.
- Standardized Setup: Deliver a pre-configured set of tools to every new client.
- Central Management: Control which apps are included in each plan tier from a single interface.
- Scalable Packaging: Bundle multiple apps (up to the current limit) into one plan.
- Enhanced Visibility: Display bundled apps alongside other plan features in your configuration tool.
- Developer Support: Promote app adoption for developers while retaining pricing control.
How to Bundle Marketplace Apps with SaaS Plans
Follow these steps to add eligible Marketplace apps to your CRM SaaS plans.
Step 1: Access Marketplace Apps in the SaaS Configurator
Navigate to the SaaS Configurator from your agency account. Create a new plan or edit an existing one, then select the Marketplace Apps tab. You will see a list of apps already installed at your agency that are eligible for bundling. If no apps appear, use the Explore Marketplace option to install eligible apps at the agency level first.
Step 2: Add Apps to Your Plan
Click the + icon in the Actions column to include an app in your plan. For paid apps, select the desired subscription tier. You can add multiple apps (up to the current limit per plan). Remember: by default, app subscription fees are billed to your agency card. To pass costs to clients, adjust your plan price to include the app cost plus your markup. Save your changes when finished.
Step 3: Update or Remove Apps
To modify a bundled app, change its tier or click the Remove option next to it in the Configurator. Confirm any warnings and save your changes. Note: removing an app from a plan does not uninstall it from existing sub-accounts; it only prevents future automatic installations.
Prerequisites, Considerations, and Limits
Keep these factors in mind when bundling apps:
- Only apps with Agency & Sub-Account distribution are eligible.
- The current limit is 10 apps per plan.
- Agency Owner or Admin permissions are required to access the SaaS Configurator.
- Ensure your agency billing is active and your payment method is valid.
- Apps must be installed at the agency level before they can be bundled.
- Automatic installation occurs only for new sub-accounts created under the plan.
- Review pricing changes carefully to maintain profitability.
Handling App Costs
You have two options for managing app expenses: absorb the cost yourself or include it in your plan price. By default, subscription charges are billed to your agency card. To pass costs to clients, increase your SaaS plan price to cover the app cost plus your desired markup. Align pricing tiers across all bundled apps to avoid under-recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can bundle Marketplace apps into SaaS plans?
Agency Owners or Admins with access to the SaaS Configurator.
Do existing sub-accounts get apps automatically if added to a plan later?
No. Automatic installation applies only to new sub-accounts created after the change.
How many apps can I include in a single plan?
Up to 10 apps per plan (current limit).
How do I pass app costs to clients?
Increase your SaaS plan price to include the app cost plus markup. App charges bill to your agency card by default.
What happens if I change the tier of a bundled app?
New sub-accounts receive the updated tier. Existing sub-accounts keep their current version until manually changed.
If I remove a bundled app from a plan, is it uninstalled from current clients?
No. Removal stops future installations only. Existing sub-accounts retain the app until uninstalled manually.
I don’t see any apps in the Marketplace Apps tab. What should I do?
Click Explore Marketplace to install eligible apps at the agency level, then return to the Configurator.
Can I keep automatic future installation enabled at the agency level and also bundle the app in a plan?
No. Bundling an app in a plan disables agency-level automatic installation to prevent conflicts.