What’s the best way to get exposure for your SaaS startup?

When you’re starting out, paid advertising options are abundant and doing SEO for SaaS isn’t easy. It may seem like the best way to gain exposure is to shell out a big budget on some marketing campaigns. But if you don’t know which ones will deliver the results you want, you may get stuck doing a lot of legwork for little ROI.

This is why many entrepreneurs or small business owners look to getting listed in a top-tier SaaS software directory. These b2b software directories rank and review everything from the best SEO software to the latest in productivity tools, and getting listed can be a great alternative to expensive campaigns and marketing schemes. A B2B software review site offers several points of value for you and your target audience, including:

  • Easy site navigation and profiles, putting your business pitch front and center
  • Increased lead generation
  • Peer reviews to give you credibility

Reviews are arguably the most important feature of a SaaS directory listing. As owners and professionals, we want to know what software or programs people are using. We need to know this information because it helps us develop and market our products more efficiently to the people who are going to use them.

Getting ranked in one of these top-tier software directories can help establish credibility. Click To Tweet

The proliferation of SaaS tools has seen a corresponding rise in the number of directories. There is a B2B software comparison site for almost every niche and not all of them are worth the time and effort it takes to set up a profile and increase your ranking. How can you determine what the best directory for your SaaS startup? With a bit of digging, we have compiled a list of the best B2B software review sites for your product’s growth. These SaaS directories take everything from peer reviews to a fraction of your marketing budget to produce top quality leads and get your business on the right track.

AlternativeTo

AlternativeTo is one of the best SaaS directories online

AlternativeTo is the choice SaaS directory for startups, allowing busy professionals the opportunity to replace existing software with trusted alternatives as voted on by peers. Like its name implies, the platform offers alternatives to popular, and often costly, software. Featuring a wide array of crowd-sourced recommendations, from best SEO software to developer tools, AlternativeTo’s no-nonsense, transparent ranking and review system makes this SaaS directory a standout.

How is the software as a service directory ranking determined?

Rankings are determined by AlternativeTo’s own algorithm, which takes into account several different parameters. The number one factor that impacts directory ranking is the number of likes. Through their likes system, registered users can vote for apps and programs they feel are accurate alternatives to popular software, providing a solid frame of reference for any incoming customers.

Are reviews relevant to my SaaS directory ranking?

A great thing about AlternativeTo’s community is how it positions reviews as recommendations from trusted friends. Reviews may factor into AlternativeTo’s individual directory ranking, but more than that, they allow consumers to make sound judgments when looking for new software to try.

Is my information sold to third-party vendors?

No. AlternativeTo doesn’t sell business information to third-party vendors.

How much will it cost my business?

AlternativeTo is not only one of the most comprehensive saas directories online — it’s also one of the best free sources.

How much additional traffic can I get?

As this software directory is free and doesn’t offer pay-per-click (PPC) options, there’s no way to guarantee a set amount of traffic. An excellent way to boost traffic to your listing is to ask current clients to “like” your page.

Capterra

Capterra is a trusted SaaS directory for startups

This wouldn’t be a list of software directories without Capterra. Known both as a lead generation directory for startups and an aggregator for entrepreneurs looking for relevant software, this Software as a Service directory also serves as a credible SaaS review site for many consumers. Users can write reviews and give stars for software, as well as receive recommendations. There are also experts on-hand to facilitate these recommendations, which is one of many reasons why you want your business listed here. Having your startup or business listed in one of their 400+ categories amongst other top-tier and up-and-coming startups will put yours in good company.

How is the software as a service directory ranking determined?

Contrary to their involved review process, rankings are determined by PPC only. Vendors can select a daily amount to bid or an overall amount to offer and will be ranked accordingly. Capterra has even provided a PPC Bid Estimator, so you know exactly what to bid for the spot you want.

Are reviews relevant to my SaaS directory ranking?

Reviews aren’t known to have any particular influence on directory ranking, but they are able to provide consumers with an in-depth look at a software’s capabilities. The number of reviews a product has will often tell you how useful a product is by way of its popularity.

Is my information sold to third-party vendors?

Capterra doesn’t sell your information nor do they bombard you with promotional emails. Each business will get a dedicated account representative who is there when you have questions.

How much will it cost my business?

Bids start at $2 per click and increase in $0.25 increments, meaning you can customize your PPC campaign and create one that works for you. Prices also depend on the position and group you want to rank for. For example, if you’re interested in the SEO software category, you might be paying anywhere from $3 to $3.75 a click.

How much additional traffic can I get?

Views vary by category, with the more popular types getting a greater amount of views. On average, a software can hope to get anywhere from an additional hundred to thousand views a month.

Clutch

Clutch is a great SaaS directory and review site

Clutch, as one of the more data-driven business software review sites, allows startups to grow faster by providing lead generation and reputation management services. This software as a service directory publishes high-end profiles of startups and other businesses that serve the North American and European markets. To make their cut, you must submit client references before your startup is reviewed by their team of analysts, making a spot on this software comparison site is not only coveted but incredibly beneficial to your online presence.

Clutch’s Leaders’ Matrix allows customers searching for your startup to pinpoint your business based on their unique needs — a great extension of local SEO tactics. For example, a client looking for SEO software firms in Dallas would be able to search based specifically on their selected criteria.

How is the software as a service directory ranking determined?

Clutch takes into account three types of evaluation criteria: references and reviews, clients and expertise, and market presence. This can all be determined by a Clutch analyst.

Are reviews relevant to my SaaS directory ranking?

Yes, as part of the “ability to deliver” dimension. It takes into accounts 3 types of evaluation criteria, such as references and reviews, clients and expertise, and market presence. This can be determined by a Clutch analyst. Each business gets a 1 to 10 score on the spectrum.

Is my information sold to third-party vendors?

Clutch defers to LinkedIn, its sign-in partner, for third-party information. It’s mandatory to sign up through LinkedIn, allowing information to be collected from their platform. There is no mention of selling information to external sources.

How much will it cost my business?

The initial profile and review on Clutch are free, but you can get a higher directory ranking and increased visibility on the reviews page in your category through their sponsorship method. However, sponsorship does not change your Clutch Rank (determined on your references and initial examination) or your Leaders Matrices (determined on your category and location) — it only gives you more visibility. Prices start at $650/monthly for Bronze sponsorship.

How much additional traffic can I get?

Traffic varies from category to category and is mainly dependant on what Leaders Matrix your startup falls into.

G2 Crowd

G2 Crowd is one of the best SaaS listing websites

G2 Crowd’s mission is in their name: leverage the crowd, limit your risk and get what works. This crowd-sourced SaaS directory allows you to get a well-rounded view of your startup through a unique user review and community experience. While all products submitted to the software as a service directory are subject to approval by a committee, once approved, you have the wealth of the G2 Crowd community to elevate your profile.

What makes G2 Crowd really stand out is their desire to grow a directory for startups and a community for and by software users. As a member, you are encouraged to review products and interact with fellow community members. This opportunity pushes G2 Crowd into a new category of saas review sites — one that positions the community at the center.

How is the software as a service directory ranking determined?

G2 Crowd employs several scoring methodologies to rank your startup. In all of them, user reviews and feedback are the largest criteria. A usability, results, and implementation score all hinge upon how well-received your startup or software is. For example, using the Usability Scoring method, a startup with high customer satisfaction stands a chance of gaining a higher rank than one that doesn’t.

Are reviews relevant to my SaaS directory ranking?

Yes. Reviews and user feedback are number one in determining your G2 directory ranking.

Is my information sold to third-party vendors?

When you register your startup, information is also collected from LinkedIn; however, this information is not sold to any third-party outlets and remains with G2 Crowd.

How much will it cost my business?

G2 Crowd offers a variety of data-driven products for business software owners to track movement on their profile. In-depth reports and extended profiles allow you to really get a thorough understanding of your visiting customer. The prices for these services are not advertised and require a consultation with a G2 Crowd representative.

How much additional traffic can I get?

Additional traffic varies from category to category and depends on several factors, including your G2 Score.

SoftwareSuggest

software suggest is a SaaS directory listing website

SoftwareSuggest is a SaaS directory and lead generation platform that connects customers with the right kind of business software. No more browsing around for your perfect fit — it’s all here, which also makes this an excellent directory for startups looking for the basics to get started. Though based in India, they have recently begun to branch out internationally, targeting regions such as North America and Europe.

What makes this SaaS directory unique is its software evaluation tool that lets a qualified software analyst review your product and post an official review on your listing. This added credibility is beneficial for startup owners and consumers.

How is the software as a service directory ranking determined?

Product rankings are determined by a combination of profile completeness, average star rating, and the number of reviews. However, customers can choose to improve their rankings inorganically through PPC campaigns or premium options.

Are reviews relevant to my SaaS directory ranking?

Yes, reviews play some part in SoftwareSuggest’s product ranking algorithm. If premium options are out of the question for your business, a combination of reviews and ratings can help increase your position.

Is my information sold to third-party vendors?

SoftwareSuggest doesn’t sell or trade personal information to any third-party vendors.

How much will it cost my business?

A basic listing on SoftwareSuggest is free to publish. If you’d like to go the PPC route and guarantee a higher directory ranking, prices are determined by many additional factors, such as target region and category. You can also opt for premium options, such as qualified business leads or the chance for your business to appear on a curated monthly newsletter. A SoftwareSuggest representative can walk you through what your specific costs would be, depending on your criteria.

How much additional traffic can I get?

According to SoftwareSuggest, users can hope to receive a variable range in traffic increases, anywhere from 20% to 300%. This is all dependent on your product category and target region.

Get Your Software Startup in a SaaS Directory

Getting your SaaS startup ranked in a top-tier SaaS directory listing can improve your marketing efforts considerably by positioning your business amongst credible competition. As your go-to SaaS SEO agency, CanIRank has a team of on-demand experts to help you rank better. After all, it’s not about the number of saas directories you can land your business in — it’s about the quality. Stick around on the CanIRank blog for more of the best SaaS marketing blogsSaaS Directory marketing tips, and expert SEO advice.