August 09, 2023
Table of Contents
Launching a new startup is exciting—but getting visibility is often the hardest part. You may have built a great product, a powerful SaaS tool, a new app, or an innovative service, but without awareness, traction becomes painfully slow. Early-stage startups struggle the most with marketing, distribution, and discoverability, especially when budgets are limited.
One of the most effective strategies for early exposure is posting your startup on the right online platforms—communities, directories, newsletters, and social hubs where people actively look for new products. But manually finding these platforms can take hours, if not days.
That’s exactly where the PlacesToPostYourStartup GitHub repository becomes a valuable resource. It offers a hand-curated, up-to-date, categorized list of platforms where you can promote your startup to reach early adopters, beta testers, potential customers, and investors.
This guide explains how to use the repository effectively, how to choose platforms strategically, and how to craft posts that actually convert.
What Is the PlacesToPostYourStartup Repository?
The repository, created and maintained by GitHub user mmccaff, is a community-driven list of directories, subreddits, websites, and platforms where founders can showcase their startups.
Repository: https://github.com/mmccaff/PlacesToPostYourStartup
It is updated regularly with new links, feedback from founders, and submission rules. Instead of manually researching dozens of platforms, you get a single, organized resource that saves countless hours.
Why This Repository Is So Valuable for Startup Founders
1. It Saves Time by Centralizing Distribution Channels
Instead of searching Reddit threads, blogs, or outdated lists, you get all the best startup-submission platforms in one place.
2. It Covers Multiple Categories
The repository includes:
Startup directories
Subreddits
Launch platforms
Marketing channels
Tech communities
Beta user communities
Blogs & newsletters accepting submissions
This makes it suitable for SaaS founders, app developers, indie hackers, or any early-stage startup.
3. It Provides Posting Rules and Guidelines
Each link often includes:
Subscriber count
Audience type
Submission rules
Posting formats
Approval requirements
Paid or free options
This helps you avoid being banned or wasting time on low-quality platforms.
4. It’s Updated Regularly
Since it’s community-maintained, it evolves with the startup ecosystem—something static blog posts rarely do.
Repository Structure: What’s Inside
The repository is divided into main sections:
1. Subreddit Recommendations
Reddit is one of the best places to get:
Early feedback
Real users
Brutally honest opinions
Viral traction
Examples include:
r/startups
r/EntrepreneurRideAlong
r/SideProject
r/Design
r/webdev
r/marketing
Each subreddit has different rules on what you can post, how often, and in what format—which the repository outlines.
2. Website Directories & Launch Platforms
These are dedicated places where founders share their projects. Some are free, some are paid, and some require approval.
Popular ones often included in the list:
Indie Hackers
Product Hunt
Hacker News “Show HN”
BetaList
AngelList
StartupRank
AlternativeTo
Launching Next
These platforms are powerful because they bring high-quality, targeted traffic.
Launching on the right website can bring thousands of users in a day.
How to Use the PlacesToPostYourStartup Repository Effectively
While the repository gives you a list, the real magic lies in how you use it. Below is a step-by-step strategy founders can follow.
Step 1: Prepare Your Startup Assets Before Posting
Before distributing your startup everywhere, create the essential assets:
A clear startup pitch
1–2 sentences explaining what your startup does and who it’s for.
A landing page
Your website must clearly explain:
Problem
Solution
Features
Pricing
Call to action
Screenshots or a product demo
Especially useful for visual platforms (Product Hunt, Reddit, BetaList).
A founder story (optional but helpful)
Personal narratives often perform well.
Step 2: Prioritize High-Value Platforms
Instead of mass-posting everywhere, categorize platforms by:
Traffic potential
Niche relevance
Community engagement
Approval difficulty
Expected ROI
For example:
High-value general platforms
Product Hunt
Hacker News
Indie Hackers
Reddit (specific startup subreddits)
Niche-specific platforms
If you built a design tool → post in design communities
If you built a dev tool → post in developer subreddits
If you built an AI tool → share in AI forums
The GitHub repository helps you filter these effortlessly.
Step 3: Follow the Posting Rules Carefully
Different platforms have strict submission guidelines. For example:
Some require a founder to submit
Some disallow promotional language
Some require tagging (Show HN, Launch Announcement)
Some disallow links on the first post
The PlacesToPostYourStartup repo highlights these guidelines to prevent rejections or bans.
Step 4: Monitor Response, Engagement & Traction
Use tools like:
Google Analytics
Hotjar
Microsoft Clarity
UTM parameters
Reddit analytics
Track:
Traffic spikes
Conversion rate
Community feedback
Common objections
Feature requests
Use insights to improve your pitch, landing page, and product.
Step 5: Continue Contributing Back
One of the best parts of this repository is that it’s community-driven. You can:
Suggest new platforms
Fix outdated links
Add posting tips
Share your launch experiences
This strengthens the ecosystem for future founders.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Startup Submission Platforms
1. Customize your message for each platform
Generic posts perform poorly. Tailor your message for developers, marketers, designers, or general users.
2. Engage with comments
People want to interact with real founders, not automated posts.
3. Share value, not just promotion
Offer insights, behind-the-scenes, free tools, or your story.
4. Use attractive visuals
A great screenshot or demo increases engagement dramatically.
5. Don’t rely on one platform
Your launch strategy should include multiple touchpoints.
Conclusion
Promoting a startup is one of the toughest challenges founders face—especially with limited resources. The PlacesToPostYourStartup GitHub repository gives you a massive advantage by offering a hand-picked, constantly updated list of high-impact platforms where founders can share, launch, and promote their startups.
It saves time, reduces guesswork, and maximizes your exposure strategy.
If you're a founder, indie hacker, or developer looking to launch your product, this repository is an essential tool. Use it wisely, follow the guidelines, and engage authentically with communities—you'll be surprised how quickly visibility and early traction can grow.
For more guides on startups, development, and digital growth strategies, explore insights from an experienced web developer in Nepal who helps founders, engineers, and creators build smarter and scale faster.
