What are Chrome Extensions?
Chrome extensions are apps that you can add to your Chrome browser that add functionality for either specific websites or the web in general. You can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Examples
An example of an extension that adds functionality to all websites is Grammarly. This extension helps you improve your writing by analyzing what you type into form fields on the websites you visit. Everything from Facebook to Gmail, Grammarly checks your spelling, punctuation, and phrasing to help you write more eloquently. At the end of each week, it even sends you a report of how much you wrote and where you scored in comparison to all other Grammarly users.
It’s a free extension that offers a base level of features. When you pay for a monthly subscription you unlock additional features. This “Freemium” approach is a very popular pricing model for extensions.
A website specific example extension is Smart Share From eBay. This extension lets you create affiliate links for eBay items as you browse the site (a passive income opportunity itself). It only works on the eBay website.
Building Chrome Extensions
Building an extension requires either knowing how to code the extension yourself or hiring a developer to build an extension for you. In either case, there is a step by step approach to follow during the development process. This is what you must do to build and launch your Chrome Extension.
- Create a Chrome Developer Account
- There is a one time, $5 registration fee to become a Chrome Developer.
- You must be a registered developer to publish extensions to the Chrome Web Store.
- Build the Chrome Extension
- This requires knowledge of JavaScript, Google APIs, and web applications
- Build it yourself or hire a developer skilled with building extensions
- Publish your Extension
- Create a package for your extension. You will upload this package to the Chrome Web Store after you’ve set up your extension.
- Set up your extension in the developer console. You’ll provide a name, description, artwork, and pricing information for your extension.
- Upload your extension package
- Publish your Chrome Extension
- Wait for your Extension to be Approved
- Google evaluates each extension to make sure it meets their quality and usability criteria.
- It usually takes approximately 24 hours for a new extension to be approved. It can take longer, sometimes up to several days.
How to Monetize Your Chrome Extension
In the Chrome Web Store, you can make your extension either a free or paid extension. You can also charge for content inside the extension as well. If you are building an extension that allows paying users access to additional features you will need to program the extension to detect users that have paid and unlock the features they have paid for.
You set the price in the developer console and determine which countries you want to sell the extension in.
Step by Step Guide
This post is a brief introduction of what is involved in building a Chrome Extension to add passive income to your revenue portfolio. I am currently writing a step by step guide that covers each step in depth. If you want a hands-on walkthrough of how to build your own Chrome Extension this will give that to you. You can pre-order it now for the pre-launch price of $9.95 (regular price $49.95).
Pre-order the Chrome Extensions For Passive Income Guidebook today!
