Free startup directory submissions to get your first users
A Reddit thread on r/SaaS offers personalized recommendations of 5 startup directories to submit to, in exchange for sharing your product. It's a practical zero-cost way to get early visibility for a new product.
When you launch a product and nobody knows about it yet, submitting to startup directories is one of the fastest ways to get in front of early adopters. Sites like Product Hunt and BetaList gather curious early users who actively look for new tools — and listing your product there is free.
This thread works by having founders share their startup in the comments, and the poster recommends 5 directories that fit that specific product. Beyond direct traffic, each directory listing also creates a backlink — a link from another site pointing to yours — which helps your site rank higher in Google search results over time. For solo founders with no marketing budget, this is a high-value, low-effort tactic.
Key points
- Submitting to startup directories is a free, proven way to attract your first visitors.
- Each listing also creates a backlink, which improves your Google search ranking.
- Dozens of directories exist, including Product Hunt and BetaList.
- Especially useful in the early stage when you have no marketing budget.
- Drop your product in the comments and get 5 tailored directory recommendations.
Quick term guide
- r/SaaS
- A Reddit community where people discuss software subscription businesses.
- startup directories
- Websites that collect and showcase new products in one place, where founders can list their product for free.
- startup
- A new company designed to grow fast with a new idea or product.
- early adopters
- People who actively seek out and try new products before they become widely known.
- Product Hunt
- A website where new apps and tools are launched and reviewed, popular with early adopters.
- listing
- A property that is officially available for sale on the market.
- share
- A server folder made available to apps or other devices.
- backlink
- A link on another website that points to your site, which helps improve your ranking in Google search results.