Effortless Chrome Extension Development: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
This guide is designed for those with a basic understanding of web development, and we'll explain how tech-savvy individuals can create a Chrome extension in the simplest way possible. If you're not familiar with the technical aspects, we recommend reading this with a knowledgeable friend, hiring a freelancer, or using ChatGPT for quick and affordable answers to your questions.
Key Function Focus
In our approach, we focus on a single core function, around which we select our keywords. You can find detailed information on selecting the right keywords in our post here. There are three main ways to achieve this, ranging from cheaper and quicker methods to more expensive and time-consuming options.
Three Main Methods
Find and Modify Open-Source Extensions on GitHub
Search GitHub for extensions related to your function using terms like “[function] chrome github.” For example: “track email chrome github.”
Prioritize extensions that work with Manifest V3 since Manifest V2 is obsolete. Adapting an extension to V3 can be quick but does take some time.
Make minor design changes like color adjustments, removing unnecessary features, and branding elements (logos, links, etc.).
Extract and Redesign Existing Extensions from the Chrome Web Store
Look for extensions similar to what you want to create in the Chrome Web Store.
Use a tool like this to view the source code: Chrome Extension Source Viewer.
If the code isn’t obfuscated, proceed with a redesign. This will involve more changes compared to the GitHub method, including repositioning elements and using Tailwind for quick style adjustments.
Hire a Freelancer to Build from Scratch
Find an existing extension to use as a basis for your project.
Take screenshots of all screens and states.
Use a graphic editor to mark up the necessary changes.
Hand over the edited screenshots and requirements to a developer.
Additional Features to Enhance Your Extension
Welcome Page
This page is shown when a user installs the extension. Its main purpose is to encourage the user to pin the extension, improving retention. Use any builder for this. We have a template that assembles the page with the extension’s name and icon by simply adding two screenshots. You can find it here.
Deletion Page
This page appears when a user uninstalls the extension. Its primary goal is to collect feedback on why the extension was removed. Google Forms can be used for simplicity. There’s a hack to manage feedback from multiple extensions without creating separate forms for each. Use one form and pass the extension name through a UTM parameter. We have a template for this too.
Rating Bar
A star rating element within the extension that encourages users to rate it highly on the Chrome Web Store, thus improving conversion rates. We filter out low ratings and direct those users to a feedback form, while 4 and 5-star ratings go to the store page, enhancing the extension’s store rating. This element is also available in our template.
Optional: Broad Permissions
This allows the extension to operate on any page, even if not necessary. The review team is strict about this, but our element can add these permissions without issues. Available in the template.
Translations into 52 Languages
Essential for SEO. We have a project that automates this using Google Translate or ChatGPT, compiling the translations into the required format for the extension.
Code Obfuscation
Use Vite to obfuscate your code, which strips out unused code and resources, reducing the extension’s size and making it harder for competitors to copy.
Conclusion
This guide covers essential steps for creating a Chrome extension, from finding source code to adding advanced features and optimizing for SEO. By following these methods, you can efficiently develop and enhance your extension, ensuring better performance and user engagement. Stay tuned for more detailed articles on working with freelancers and other advanced topics.