How to sell a tool you built at your dealership
By Uptify · Last updated
A spreadsheet, script, app or AI skill that solves a repeated task at your dealership may help another dealer. Before listing it, make sure you can sell it and that someone outside your team can set it up.
1. Agree on ownership before publishing
Write down when you built the tool, whose equipment and data you used, and which employment or vendor agreements apply. If your employer is involved, agree in writing who owns the work, who can sell it and what happens when you leave.
Uptify's protection page has editable starting points for employer permission and related agreements. Have the parties review the terms for the project and state. Remove customer records, credentials and employer material you do not have permission to distribute.
2. Define one job the buyer can complete
Describe the input, the task and the output. For a spreadsheet, say which export to use, which columns it needs and what report it produces. For a script or AI skill, name the required software and describe the files or systems it reads and changes.
List the limits as clearly as the supported use: required accounts, operating environment, supported website provider and any manual steps. A buyer should be able to decide whether the tool fits before paying.
3. Choose delivery, price and license together
Choose whether the buyer downloads files, gets hosted access, needs guided setup or receives a service. Then choose per-dealer, per-website or one-off pricing. One-off tools are paid once; monthly or yearly subscriptions need an ongoing service the buyer can identify.
Review the standard license and specify what the buyer receives, permitted use, included support and any commercial rights you offer. A purchase of source code does not itself transfer ownership of the copyright. Use the listing's actual license terms rather than a promise the tool does not support.
Standard builder proceeds are 80% when the tool is sold exclusively on Uptify and 65% when it is also sold elsewhere. The sell page explains fees and payout holds. Consider the time needed to support each buyer when setting your price.
4. Prepare a package another dealer can use
Create a clean version with sample data. Start from a fresh folder or account and follow your own instructions from beginning to end. Include the expected output so the buyer can check that setup worked.
- Write the setup steps in order, including accounts and software the buyer needs.
- Prepare at least three screenshots that show the task and result using sample data.
- Declare what data the tool reads, what it writes and how it connects to other systems.
- State delivery timing, included support and what the buyer must provide.
- Remove private data and credentials from files, screenshots and documentation.
5. Credit the idea that led to the tool
If a dealer's idea on Uptify led to your tool, link that idea in the listing and identify eligible contributors who added useful details. Uptify reviews the link before approving it.
Idea contributors share 5% of eligible revenue for 24 months from the tool's first publication. The poster receives half of the pool and up to three credited contributors share the other half. If there are no credited contributors, the poster receives the whole pool. The pool comes from Uptify's share and does not reduce the builder's standard proceeds.
6. Submit the listing and respond to review
Create your builder profile, confirm your permission to publish and add the listing details. Upload the version buyers should receive and submit it for review. Address review notes before publication. Material changes and new versions go through review too.
If you use a coding agent, the agent publishing flow can prepare the listing and upload the files. You still need to provide accurate ownership, pricing and support information.
Choose who can buy: anyone, buyers outside your exclusions, or only buyers you approve. For a launch, keep a short support checklist and record setup questions so you can improve the next version.