How to consistently find where your target customers gather online
SaaS founders on Reddit discussed practical ways to track down the online spaces where their ideal customers spend time. The consensus was that asking existing customers directly and lurking in communities beats passive searching.
Knowing where your potential customers hang out online is one of the first big challenges for a solo internet business. Platforms like Reddit, Discord, Slack groups, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn all host niche communities where people openly discuss their problems and questions — which is exactly where you want to be listening.
The most effective tactic mentioned is simply asking current customers: 'Where do you go to learn about this topic?' Beyond that, searching Google for 'your topic + forum', 'your topic + community', or 'your topic + reddit' surfaces communities quickly. Checking review sites like G2 or Product Hunt to see which channels reviewers mention is another reliable shortcut. Once you find these spaces, joining conversations before pitching anything builds the trust that eventually drives sign-ups.
Key points
- Ask existing customers directly where they go for information — fastest way to find the right communities
- Search Google with 'topic + forum', 'topic + community', or 'topic + reddit' to discover niche spaces
- Reddit, Discord, Slack groups, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn are the main places to check
- Review sites like G2 and Product Hunt often reveal which communities your competitors' customers use
- Participate in conversations first; selling too soon gets you ignored or banned
Quick term guide
- SaaS
- Software that people use online, usually paid for by subscription.
- FIR
- A First Information Report — the official complaint filed with police in India that kicks off a criminal investigation.
- business
- An activity where you provide value to others in exchange for money.
- A social network where professionals share resumes and connect with employers and colleagues.
- Link
- A fictional bond between two people’s minds, bodies, or powers.
- Product Hunt
- A website where new apps and tools are launched and reviewed, popular with early adopters.
- build
- A chosen set of in-game abilities or items a player equips for their character.
- competitors
- Other businesses making similar products for the same customers.