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Home/r/SaaS/2025-07-09/#saas-growth-plateau-strategies
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I’m stuck at 10 paid users. Help?

r/SaaS
7/8/2025

Content Summary

A SaaS developer is stuck at 10 paid users for their screenshot automation tool hosted on Apify's marketplace. The main challenges include platform limitations preventing traditional landing page optimization and uncertainty about effective growth tactics for marketplace-based products. Commenters suggest alternative approaches including creating pre-marketplace landing pages (TrustMKR), leveraging niche directories (ProductHunt, IndieHackers), cold outreach tools (Apollo/Hunter), and community-driven promotion through PeerPush. The discussion highlights the need for ecosystem-specific adaptation of growth strategies and collaboration between founders.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinions suggest leveraging alternative platforms and outreach methods beyond marketplace limitations. There's consensus about the need for ecosystem-specific adaptations. Conflicting views emerge regarding cold outreach effectiveness - while some recommend Apollo/Hunter, the OP expresses uncertainty about its applicability. The TrustMKR suggestion sparked practical implementation issues (image upload errors), highlighting the challenges of adopting new tools. Debates center on whether traditional SaaS growth tactics can be adapted to marketplace-based models or require completely different approaches.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Apifyhttps://apify.comAutomation MarketplacePlatform for publishing automation tools as 'actors' with basic listing pages
TrustMKRhttps://trustmkr.comLanding Page BuilderFree tool for creating offer pages with themes, videos, and review collection
PeerPushhttps://peerpush.netProduct VisibilityPlatform where founders help each other gain product exposure
Beno OneNot providedEngagement AutomationTool mentioned for automating engagement to scale user base
Apollo/HunterNot providedLead GenerationCold outreach tools for finding leads
IndieHackers/ProductHuntniche directoriesProduct DiscoveryPlatforms for product exposure in niche communities

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Struggling to grow beyond 10 paid users
  • Limited control over product presentation (hosted on Apify marketplace)
  • Platform constraints prevent traditional landing page optimization
  • Uncertainty about effective growth tactics for marketplace-based products

Problems to Solve:

  • User acquisition plateau at 10 paid customers
  • Need alternative growth strategies for marketplace-hosted products
  • Requires visibility within ecosystem constraints

Potential Solutions:

  • Create pre-marketplace landing pages (TrustMKR suggested)
  • Leverage niche directories and founder communities (PeerPush, IndieHackers)
  • Cold outreach via Apollo/Hunter despite platform limitations
  • Ecosystem-specific growth tactics within Apify marketplace
  • Collaboration with other founders for mutual promotion

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging niche communities and directories
  • Cross-promotion through founder networks

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Cold outreach via specialized tools (Apollo/Hunter)
  • Listing on niche platforms (IndieHackers, ProductHunt)
  • Using engagement automation tools (Beno One)

Monetization & Product:

  • Marketplace-based distribution model
  • Need for ecosystem-specific adaptation of growth tactics

User Engagement:

  • Community-driven promotion through PeerPush
  • Collaborative growth with other founders
  • Building pre-marketplace landing pages to enhance presentation