You launched but nobody can find you
Directories are where buyers search. Being listed everywhere they look compounds over time with zero effort after setup.
When to use
You have a live product and want steady organic discovery without spending on ads. Works for any SaaS.
Hypothesis template
If we list [product] on [X] directories with optimized descriptions, we'll get [target] organic signups/month because buyers actively search these sites.
Method
The problem: You launched, maybe even got some Product Hunt love, but now it's crickets. Nobody's finding you organically.
What Lemon Squeezy did: Listed their product on every relevant SaaS directory—AlternativeTo, G2, SaaSHub, Product Hunt, Capterra, GetApp, and dozens more. Each listing brought a trickle of traffic that compounded.
The result: Directory listings became a consistent source of organic signups. Some directories send 500+ monthly visitors with high purchase intent because people are actively comparing tools.
How to do it:
- Make a list of every relevant directory: AlternativeTo, G2, Capterra, SaaSHub, Product Hunt, GetApp, Software Advice, Slant, StackShare, and niche directories for your category
- Create accounts and submit your product to each one (budget 2-3 hours per directory)
- Write unique descriptions for each—don't copy-paste the same blurb
- Add screenshots, logos, and pricing info
- Ask your happiest users to leave reviews (this is what ranks you higher)
- Set a monthly reminder to check and update your listings
Key insight: Each directory alone seems pointless. But 20 directories each sending 50 visitors/month = 1,000 high-intent visitors. And they compound as reviews accumulate.
Success metrics
- •Signups from directory referrals
- •Number of directories listed
- •Reviews per directory
- •Monthly organic traffic from directories
Prerequisites
- Live product with clear value prop
- Screenshots and marketing copy
- A few happy users who can leave reviews
Common pitfalls
- •Copy-pasting the same description everywhere
- •Submitting and forgetting (reviews matter)
- •Ignoring niche directories for your category
- •Not asking users for reviews
Source: Lemon Squeezy. Directories as a compounding growth channel for SaaS.
Suggested ICE scores
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