Where and when to launch your startup project?

The two most important things you can do as a startup founder are 1) building the product, and 2) getting feedback from users. Launching your product to a website, directory, or platform is one of the best ways to acquire new users that you could talk to. It is also important to understand which sites to start launching to, and which to hold off to until your product has a certain maturity.

Simply go down this list to identify what stage you are in, then google "How to launch on " for the platform you are ready to launch in. Then get to it. Make sure to stay engaged with the users you acquire. 1 user in hand is worth 100 in the ether so treat them right and engage them.

Good luck ☘ and happy 🚀 launch.

1) Launch here first to find some initial users

IndieHackers - You will get some great feedback and people willing to help you at the earlier stages if you stay engaged with them and give them value back.

Reddit - Find the right subreddit in the right niche and think problem first. If your app is to help parents better manage their time, look for subreddits that include conversations around solving that problem and launch there or talk to users there. If all else fails try the Startups and Entrepreneur subreddits.

2) Launch here after you have iterated with some initial users and want to expand to find more users

Startup Directories - See this amazing resource for launch communities and look for the major platforms not listed on this post.

Discord/Slack communities - Find some in the same niche or problem space as your product.

LinkedIn - Better for B2B projects.

Twitter - Great for early exposure, but you need to have a Twitter following first.

Facebook communities - You need to find and contribute to the community first before spamming with launch material.

3) Launch here when you are seeing a bit of traction and are ready to go viral (thus turning your hobby project into a real startup)

HackerNews - If your project is related to tech, it is one of the best places to launch and can bring hundreds if not thousands of visitors to your product page.

ProductHunt - This is THE place to want to succeed with launching at. Most projects that succeed turn into serious startup endeavors and get many early adopters. Bonus if you could get an accolade such as the product of the day.

Betalist - Pursue this option only if HackerNews or ProductHunt went well, and go all-in by paying the premium required to feature your site to the maximum coverage possible.

1. Relaunch like a pro: 100+ places to launch, relaunch, and list your product (article)
2. 10 places to launch your startup (article)