15 Best Online Directories to Submit and Promote Your SaaS Startup

How do I get my product noticed in a crowded marketplace? How do I get it to the people who need it the most? If these questions are keeping you up at night, after launching your software, startup, or product, then you should take comfort in knowing that you're not alone and that every founder encounters this challenge in business.

The good news is that you can overcome this challenge. It starts with recognizing that promoting your product is just as important as building it. Effective promotion is what sets successful startups apart from those that struggle to gain recognition. One way to achieve this is online directories. By listing your product in these directories, you can increase visibility, build credibility, and connect with potential customers and investors, which in turn drives business growth and success.

In this article, we've handpicked a list of 15 top online directories specifically beneficial for SaaS startups.

This selection is based on the relevance of the platforms to the SaaS sector, user base, and impact on business growth. These directories cater to various aspects of startup promotion and development including general software review sites and specialized SaaS marketplaces.

Let's look at these essential directories and how they can contribute to your SaaS startup's success.

1. G2.
   G2 is a leading software review platform which features detailed profiles and user reviews for thousands of business software products. It's an important directory for SaaS startups who are interested in building credibility and visibility in the B2B space.

Listing your startup on G2.
Create an account and follow their guidelines for submitting your product information. Be prepared to provide comprehensive details about your SaaS offering, including features, pricing, and target markets.

Tips:

• Encourage satisfied customers to
  drop reviews on your G2 profile.

• Respond promptly and professionally to both negative and positive feedback.

• Always update your products’ features. For instance, if you're adding a new feature.

• Check for competition using G2's comparison features.

• While it has a free plan, you should consider G2's paid plans for increased visibility.

2. Capterra.
   Capterra is a free online marketplace that helps businesses find the right software solutions. Capterra gets millions of monthly visitors, and it helps startups to gain more exposure, especially, among small to medium-sized businesses.
   Listing on Capterra.
   Create an account and follow the process for submitting your product information. Give detailed descriptions and select the appropriate categories for your product.

Tips.

• To be visible, you have to research relevant keywords and optimise your listing to help people find your product.

• Highlight the unique features and benefits of the product in your product description

• Request feedback from users by telling them to drop comments on your profile.

• If you have the budget, you can use Capterra's PPC advertising options.

3. Product Hunt.
   This is a community-driven platform where users discover new tech products, share, and discuss them. It's a great platform for SaaS startups to launch and gain traction, especially among tech enthusiasts and early adopters.

Listing on Product Hunt.
Create an account on Product Hunt and follow their guidelines for submitting your product. Time your launch strategically for maximum impact.

Tips:

• Be an active member and engage with the Product Hunt community before and after your launch.

• Prepare visually appealing images, GIFs, and videos for your product page to retain attention.

• Leverage your network to support you during launch.

• Offer a special deal for Product Hunt users

• Follow up with interested users and get feedback.

4. Crunchbase.
   Crunchbase is a comprehensive database of companies, including startups, providing information on funding, leadership, and industry trends. While it may not drive direct traffic, a Crunchbase profile adds credibility and can attract investors.

Listing on Crunchbase.

Create an account on Crunchbase and follow their process for adding your company information. Provide all the needed info for your startup.

Tips:

• Update your profile with the latest information about funding and milestones.

• Add key team members and their roles.

• Use the 'Events' section to highlight important company announcements.

• Connect your Crunchbase profile to your other online presence.

• Engage with the Crunchbase community by following relevant companies and news.

5. AngelList.

AngelList connects startups with investors and job seekers. It's an excellent directory for SaaS startups who are looking to raise capital, hire talent, or gain visibility in the startup ecosystem.

Listing on AngelList.
Create an account on AngelList and set up your company profile by including detailed information about your product, team, and funding status.

Tips:

• Write a compelling company story that resonates with potential investors and employees.

• Always update your profile with traction metrics and milestones.

• Connect with potential advisors and mentors via the platform.

• Leverage AngelList's job board to attract top talents for your startup.

• Don't be silent; engage with the AngelList community by participating in discussions and events

6. Betalist.

Betalist helps in discovering and getting early access to internet startups. It's the perfect place for SaaS companies looking to build buzz before their official launch and connect with early adopters.
Listing on Betalist.
Create an account on Betalist and follow their submission process for new startups. Make sure that your product meets their criteria for pre-launch or recently launched startups.

Tips:

• Write a compelling pitch that shows your unique value proposition (UVP).

• As always, ensure your visuals are high-quality and showcase your product's interface.

• Regularly engage with the Betalist community to gather early feedback.

• Offer exclusive early access or discounts to users on the platform.

• Use the platform to refine your product before a full-scale launch

7. SaaSworthy.

SaaSworthy is a directory focused exclusively on SaaS products, offering in-depth analysis and comparisons. It's a valuable platform for reaching potential customers who are specifically looking for SaaS solutions.

Listing on SaaSworthy.
Register on SaaSworthy and submit every necessary or required information about your product. Ensure that it follows their guidelines. Provide detailed information about your features, pricing, and target market.

Tips:

• Highlight the unique features that set you apart from competitors and should make you the right choice for customers.

• Make it a duty to regularly update your product information to show new features or improvements made.

• Encourage customers to drop reviews as it increases your SaaSworthy rating.

• Use their comparison features to show your strengths.

• Consider their premium listing options for better visibility.

8. GetApp.

This platform primarily catered to small and medium-sized businesses as a comparison platform for business software applications. It offers category rankings and integration information, making it a useful directory for SaaS startups.

Listing on GetApp.
Create an account on GetApp and follow their process for submitting your product information. Be detailed in describing your features and integration capabilities.

Tips:

• Highlight any integrations your product offers with popular business tools.

• Accurately highlight your pricing information and update regularly.

• Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your GetApp listing.

• GetApp has category-specific features; use them to target your ideal customer base.

• Consider their lead generation services if they align with your marketing strategy.

9. FinancesOnline.
   FinancesOnline is a B2B software discovery platform that is focused on detailed reviews and comparisons. It's particularly useful for SaaS startups targeting business customers.

Listing on FinancesOnline.
Submit your product information through FinancesOnline's vendor submission process. Provide comprehensive details about your SaaS offering.

Tips:

• Create a detailed product description that highlights the key features and benefits.

• Provide case studies or use cases to demonstrate your product's value.

• Engage with their review team to ensure an accurate representation of your product.

• Consider their premium review services for an in-depth analysis of your offering.

• Use their awards program to gain additional credibility if eligible.

10. TrustPilot.
    Trustpilot is a consumer review website that hosts reviews of businesses worldwide. While not specifically for SaaS, it's a great platform for building trust between your product, existing customers, and potential ones.

Listing on TrustPilot.
Claim your business profile on TrustPilot and complete your company information. Follow their guidelines for inviting customers to leave reviews.

Tips:

• Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Trustpilot.

• Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews.

• Use Trustpilot widgets on your website to show your ratings.

• Analyse review trends to identify areas you need to improve your product.

• Consider Trustpilot paid features for more advanced review management tools

11. Crozdesk.
    Crozdesk is a software discovery platform that uses AI to match businesses with the right software solutions. It's a great directory for SaaS startups looking to reach businesses who are seeking software solutions.

Listing on Crozdesk.
Register as a vendor on Crozdesk and submit your product details. Ensure you provide accurate and comprehensive information about your offering.

Tips:

• Use relevant keywords to optimise your listing for better visibility.

• Regularly update your product information.

• Request reviews from your customers to improve your Crozscore.

• Use Crozdesk's ROI and TCO calculations to show your value proposition.

• Also their premium listing options for enhanced visibility and lead generation.

12. AlternativeTo

AlternativeTo helps users find alternatives to the software they already use or are considering. It's an excellent platform for SaaS startups to position themselves as alternatives to already established products in their niche.

Listing on AlternativeTo.

Create an account on AlternativeTo and submit your product as an alternative to existing software in your category.

Tips:

• Clearly explain the features that make your product different.

• Encourage users to like and drop reviews about your product on the platform.

• Engage with the AlternativeTo community by answering questions about your product.

• Regularly update your listing with new features and improvements.

• Monitor mentions of your product and competitors to stay informed about users’ preferences.

13. StartupStash.

StartupStash is a curated directory of resources and tools for startups. Just like TrustPilot, it's not exclusively for SaaS, but it's a great platform for SaaS startups that offer tools or services useful to other startups.

Listing on StartupStash.

Submit your product information through StartupStash's submission form. Ensure your product matches with their focus on startup resources.

Tips:

• Clearly explain how your product helps startups or small businesses.

• Provide high-quality visuals of your product's interface.

• Check for availability of discussion forums and engage.

• Keep your listing updated.

• You can also reach out for potential feature opportunities on their platform

14. SaaSHub.
    SaaSHub is a software discovery platform that focuses on helping developers find the right tools. It's particularly useful for SaaS startups offering developer tools or technical solutions.

Listing on SaaSHub.

Create an account on SaaSHub and submit the needed information. Ensure to include technical specifications and any API documentation.
Tips:

• Use relevant tags to ensure your product appears in appropriate categories.

• Provide detailed technical information that appeals to a developer audience.

• Encourage developers using your product to review it on SaaSHub.

• Update your listing with new features and API changes.

• Engage with the developer community on SaaSHub.

15. CloudingSME.

CloudingSME focuses on cloud computing solutions for small and medium enterprises. It's a great platform for SaaS startups targeting the SME market with cloud-based solutions.

Listing on CloudingSME.
Register your company on the platform and provide detailed information about your cloud solution. Ensure you highlight how your product benefits SMEs.

Tips:

• Clearly articulate the benefits of your cloud solution for SMEs.

• Provide case studies or success stories relevant to the market.

• Update listing any latest feature.

• Engage with CloudingSME's events.

• Consider participating in their matchmaking activities to connect with potential clients.

Conclusion.

Leveraging these 15 directories can significantly increase your SaaS startup's visibility, credibility, and growth. Each platform offers unique benefits, from connecting with investors on AngelList to gathering user reviews on G2 and Capterra. Remember, the key to success is not just listing your startup, but actively engaging with these platforms and their communities.

As you explore these options, keep your profiles updated, respond to reviews and inquiries promptly, and use the insights gained to refine your product and marketing strategies. While some of them require you to put in money, many offer free listings that can still have substantial value.

Remember, your journey doesn't end with these listings. Use the connections and feedback you get to continuously improve your product and grow your business. The SaaS world is dynamic and competitive, but with the right approach to promotion and engagement, your startup can thrive and stand out in the crowd.