How do I get my first customers as a startup?

What’s the most efficient way to attract, convert, and retain ideal customers? What’s the best way to find early customers? How do I get my first 100 customers?

Explore customer acquisition strategies, frameworks, and examples here: Startups.com Customer Acquisition Guides

Customer acquisition is more than just marketing. It’s about understanding your target audience deeply, knowing where to reach them, and building a repeatable, scalable system that turns awareness into action.

No matter how great your product is, your startup won’t grow unless you know how to get it in front of the right people—and convince them to take action. Acquiring customers is the heartbeat of your startup. If you’re not focused on it, nothing else matters.