Plugin Guidelines

These guidelines outline the requirements and standards for publishing plugins on the Orbit Commerce Plugin Store. Following these guidelines helps ensure a high-quality experience for merchants and increases your chances of approval.

Overview

The Orbit Commerce Plugin Store is a marketplace where developers can distribute plugins that extend the functionality of Orbit Commerce stores. We're committed to maintaining a high-quality ecosystem that merchants can trust.

All plugins submitted to the store undergo a review process to ensure they meet our quality standards, technical requirements, and content guidelines. This document outlines what we look for during the review process.

Note: These guidelines may be updated periodically. We recommend checking back before each submission to ensure your plugin meets current requirements.

Quality Standards

Plugins must meet high standards of quality to be listed on the store. We evaluate plugins based on the following criteria:

Functionality

Plugin must work as described without errors or crashes
All advertised features must be fully functional
Plugin must be compatible with the current version of Orbit Commerce
Must not negatively impact store performance or page load times
Should handle edge cases gracefully without breaking

User Experience

Clear and intuitive user interface
Consistent design that matches Orbit Commerce admin aesthetics
Helpful error messages and validation feedback
Accessible to users with disabilities (WCAG 2.1 AA compliance)
Responsive design that works on all screen sizes

Value Proposition

Plugin must provide clear value to merchants
Features should not duplicate core Orbit Commerce functionality
Pricing must be fair and clearly communicated
Free trial or demo should be available when possible

Technical Requirements

All plugins must meet these technical requirements to ensure security, performance, and compatibility.

Security

All data must be transmitted securely using HTTPS
User data must be handled in compliance with GDPR and other privacy regulations
No storage of sensitive payment information
Proper input validation and sanitization to prevent XSS and SQL injection
Authentication tokens must be securely stored and transmitted
Third-party API keys must never be exposed to the frontend

Performance

Plugin must not increase page load time by more than 500ms
Efficient database queries with proper indexing
Lazy loading for non-critical functionality
Proper caching implementation where applicable
Minimal impact on Core Web Vitals

Code Quality

Clean, well-documented code following best practices
Proper error handling and logging
No deprecated functions or libraries with known vulnerabilities
Semantic versioning for all releases
Comprehensive changelog for each version

Compatibility

Minimum Requirements:

• Compatible with the latest version of Orbit Commerce
• Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge - latest 2 versions)

Content Guidelines

Your plugin listing is how merchants discover and evaluate your plugin. Follow these guidelines to create an effective listing.

Plugin Name

Must accurately describe the plugin's primary function
Cannot include "Orbit" or "Orbit Commerce" unless officially partnered
Must be unique and not confusingly similar to existing plugins
Cannot contain special characters or excessive capitalisation

Description

Clear, accurate description of what the plugin does
List all key features and benefits
Specify any limitations or requirements
Include setup instructions or link to documentation
No misleading claims or exaggerated benefits
Proper grammar and spelling

Screenshots & Media

Minimum of 3 high-quality screenshots (1200x800px recommended)
Screenshots must show actual plugin functionality
No placeholder or mockup images
Images must be current and match the submitted version
Optional: Demo video showing key features (max 3 minutes)

Pricing

All fees must be clearly disclosed upfront
No hidden charges or unexpected costs
Subscription terms must be clearly stated
Refund policy must be specified
Free plugins cannot require payment for core functionality

Prohibited Content

The following types of content and functionality are not permitted on the Orbit Commerce Plugin Store.

Not Allowed

Malware, spyware, or any malicious code
Features that violate user privacy without consent
Cryptocurrency mining or blockchain operations without clear disclosure
Adult content, gambling, or illegal activities
Hate speech, discrimination, or harmful content
Copyright-infringing materials or pirated content
Plugins that solely exist to display advertisements
Functionality that circumvents Orbit Commerce licensing
Scraping or harvesting merchant or customer data
Impersonation of other developers or brands
False claims about partnerships or endorsements
Plugins that require disabling security features

Support Requirements

Providing good support is essential for maintaining a positive reputation and ensuring merchant success with your plugin.

Required Support

Respond to support requests within 48 hours (business days)
Provide documentation for installation and configuration
Maintain a FAQ or knowledge base for common questions
Offer a way for merchants to report bugs or issues
Provide timely updates for security vulnerabilities

Review Process

All plugins undergo a review process before being published. Here's what to expect.

Submission

Submit your plugin through the Developer Portal with all required information, screenshots, and documentation.

Initial Review

Our team checks that your submission is complete and meets basic requirements. This typically takes 1-2 business days.

Technical Review

We test your plugin for functionality, security, and performance. This may take 3-5 business days depending on complexity.

Content Review

We review your listing content, screenshots, and documentation for accuracy and compliance.

Decision

You'll receive notification of approval, or feedback on required changes. Approved plugins are published immediately.

Average Review Time: 5-7 business days for new submissions. Updates to existing plugins are typically reviewed within 2-3 business days.

Ready to submit your plugin?

If your plugin meets these guidelines, we'd love to have you on the store.

Get Started Contact Us