Bestsubreddits.com
Thinking about starting your own business? That’s awesome! It’s a path filled with excitement, big dreams, and maybe a little bit of “what did I just get myself into?” panic. Whether you have a killer idea buzzing in your head, are already sketching out plans on napkins, or maybe you’ve even taken the plunge and are navigating the early days, one thing is certain: it’s a journey with a steep learning curve. There are questions about funding, marketing, legal stuff, finding customers, managing time, staying motivated… the list goes on and on. It can feel overwhelming, and sometimes, you just wish you could talk to someone who gets it.
Good news! You’re definitely not alone. Just like people turn to online communities for advice on relationships or job hunting, tons of aspiring and current entrepreneurs flock to Reddit. It’s become a massive virtual water cooler, brainstorming hub, and support group all rolled into one. You can find communities dedicated to almost every aspect of building something from the ground up. People share their wins, their struggles, ask for feedback, offer tips, and generally help each other figure things out. If you’re looking for practical advice, a dose of inspiration, or just a place to ask those “dumb questions” (which are never really dumb!), checking out these Reddit communities is a fantastic move.
Top Reddit Communities for Every Stage of Your Business Journey
Here’s a rundown of some of the most helpful subreddits you should explore if you’re thinking about, starting, or growing a business:
r/Entrepreneur: This is probably the biggest and most well-known subreddit for anyone interested in the entrepreneurial life. It’s a broad community covering everything from brainstorming initial ideas and writing business plans to scaling up, dealing with investors, and even handling the stress that comes with being the boss. You’ll find success stories, cautionary tales, requests for feedback on business ideas, discussions about industry trends, and tons of questions about the nitty-gritty details of running a company. It’s a great starting point to get a general feel for the entrepreneurial world and learn from a huge pool of people. (Subscribers: ~1.6 million)
r/startups: While there’s overlap with r/Entrepreneur, r/startups often focuses more specifically on tech-oriented or venture-backed startups – think companies aiming for rapid growth, seeking funding rounds, developing software, etc. Discussions here might dive deeper into topics like minimum viable products (MVPs), pitch decks, angel investors, venture capital, software development cycles, and building scalable tech platforms. If your ambition is to build the next big tech company or a fast-growing venture, this sub is definitely worth checking out for more targeted advice and insights. (Subscribers: ~1.2 million)
r/smallbusiness: If your dream is less about Silicon Valley disruption and more about opening a local shop, running a service business, or building a sustainable, profitable company without necessarily aiming for explosive growth, then r/smallbusiness is your spot. The conversations here are often more grounded in the day-to-day realities of running a smaller operation. Think questions about local marketing, managing employees, dealing with permits and regulations, bookkeeping, customer service for brick-and-mortar stores, and finding work-life balance as a small business owner. It’s incredibly practical for main street businesses and service providers. (Subscribers: ~1.1 million)
r/Business_Ideas: Stuck in the brainstorming phase? Or maybe you have too many ideas and can’t decide which one to pursue? This subreddit is all about generating, discussing, and refining business concepts. People post their fledgling ideas looking for feedback, validation, or suggestions on how to make them viable. Others share interesting market gaps they’ve noticed or trends they think could be capitalized on. It’s a great place to get inspiration, see what others are thinking, and get early-stage opinions on whether your spark of an idea might have real potential. (Subscribers: ~660k)
r/marketing: No business survives without customers, and getting customers usually involves marketing. This subreddit is a huge resource for everything related to promoting your business. You’ll find discussions on digital marketing strategies (SEO, social media, content marketing, PPC ads), traditional marketing tactics, branding, market research, analyzing campaign results, and choosing the right marketing tools. Whether you’re a total marketing newbie or looking for advanced strategies, there’s a wealth of information and experienced marketers sharing their knowledge here. (Subscribers: ~530k)
r/sales: Closely related to marketing, sales is where the rubber meets the road – actually converting interest into revenue. This subreddit is focused on the art and science of selling. Topics include sales techniques, prospecting for leads, crafting pitches, handling objections, closing deals, customer relationship management (CRM) software, managing sales teams, and understanding sales psychology. If you need to get better at convincing people to buy what you’re offering (and what business owner doesn’t?), this is a valuable community to learn from. (Subscribers: ~350k)
r/freelance: Many businesses start as a one-person show, often in the form of freelancing. This subreddit is tailored specifically for independent contractors – writers, designers, developers, consultants, etc. If you’re starting out by selling your skills directly, you’ll find essential advice here on finding clients, setting your rates, managing contracts and invoices, dealing with difficult clients, marketing your services, and handling the unique financial aspects of being self-employed, like taxes and budgeting. (Subscribers: ~320k)
r/sidehustle: Not everyone jumps into full-time entrepreneurship right away. Many people start a business on the side while keeping their day job. This subreddit is dedicated to exploring and growing those side projects. You’ll find ideas for part-time businesses, tips on managing your time effectively when juggling multiple commitments, stories of successful (and not-so-successful) side hustles, and discussions about transitioning from a side project to a full-time venture. It’s great for inspiration and practical tips if you’re starting small. (Subscribers: ~1.3 million)
r/ecommerce: If your business involves selling products online, whether through your own website, platforms like Shopify, or marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy, this subreddit is crucial. Discussions cover everything specific to running an online store: choosing e-commerce platforms, sourcing products, managing inventory, optimizing product listings, online advertising for products, shipping and fulfillment logistics, payment processing, and dealing with online customer service. It’s a goldmine for anyone in the online retail space. (Subscribers: ~420k)
r/SaaS: For those building Software as a Service (SaaS) businesses, this niche subreddit is highly relevant. It focuses on the unique challenges and strategies involved in building, marketing, and scaling subscription-based software products. Topics include pricing models (monthly vs. annual, tiered pricing), customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), churn rates, product development for SaaS, content marketing for software, and building recurring revenue streams. It’s a more technical and specific community than the general startup subs. (Subscribers: ~170k)
r/growmybusiness: Once you’ve launched and have some initial traction, the next challenge is growth. This subreddit focuses specifically on strategies and tactics for scaling your business. You’ll find discussions about expanding your customer base, improving operational efficiency, hiring and managing a team, exploring new markets, optimizing conversion rates, and developing long-term growth plans. It’s helpful when you’re past the initial startup phase and looking to take things to the next level. (Subscribers: ~210k)
r/EntrepreneurRideAlong: This subreddit offers a unique and often very transparent look into the world of starting and running a business. Users here “ride along” with entrepreneurs who share their journey in real-time – the ups, the downs, the pivots, the nitty-gritty details of revenue, expenses, strategies tried, and lessons learned. It’s less about general advice and more about following specific case studies as they unfold. If you want to see what the entrepreneurial process really looks like day-to-day for others, warts and all, this is a fascinating place to learn from direct, ongoing experiences. (Subscribers: ~165k)
r/sweatystartup: Coined by entrepreneur Nick Huber, this subreddit champions businesses that often get less glamour but can be incredibly successful – think service-based businesses like cleaning, landscaping, plumbing, moving, painting, etc. It focuses on building profitable companies through hard work (“sweat equity”) rather than relying on venture capital or complex tech. Discussions revolve around operations, hiring reliable staff, local marketing, pricing services, managing logistics, and scaling these kinds of hands-on businesses. If you’re interested in starting a practical, service-oriented company, this community offers incredibly relevant insights. (Subscribers: ~175k)
r/copywriting: How you describe your business and product matters immensely. This subreddit is dedicated to the skill of writing persuasive text (copy) that drives action – whether it’s getting someone to visit your website, sign up for a newsletter, or buy your product. You’ll find discussions on writing effective headlines, website copy, email marketing campaigns, sales pages, ad copy, and more. People share examples for critique, ask for advice on specific writing challenges, and discuss the psychology behind effective communication. Improving your copywriting is a high-leverage activity for almost any business, making this sub very valuable. (Subscribers: ~260k)
r/passive_income: While true “passive” income often requires significant upfront work, this subreddit explores strategies for building income streams that require less ongoing, active effort compared to a traditional job or service business. Discussions often revolve around affiliate marketing, creating digital products (like courses or e-books), investing in dividend stocks or real estate, building niche websites that generate ad revenue, or setting up automated systems. Many entrepreneurial ventures aim for some level of passive income, and this community is full of ideas and discussions about different models and techniques. (Subscribers: ~1.7 million)
r/SEO: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is all about getting your website found by people searching on Google and other search engines. For many businesses, especially online ones, this is a critical marketing channel. This subreddit dives deep into the technical and strategic aspects of SEO. Topics include keyword research, link building, on-page optimization, technical SEO audits, content strategy for search engines, analyzing traffic data, and keeping up with Google’s algorithm updates. If organic search traffic is important for your business, learning from the experts and discussions here is essential. (Subscribers: ~230k)
r/legaladvice (Use with caution!): While not a substitute for hiring an actual lawyer, r/legaladvice can sometimes be a starting point for understanding potential legal issues related to starting a business. People ask general questions about business structures (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation), basic contract clauses, intellectual property basics (trademarks, copyrights), or compliance issues. You might get pointers on what kind of lawyer to talk to or what general concepts to be aware of. Crucially, remember this is anonymous advice from the internet, not professional legal counsel. Always consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. (Subscribers: ~2.4 million)
Turning Reddit Insights into Real-World Business Success
Navigating the world of startups and small business can feel like trying to assemble complex furniture with vague instructions – confusing and sometimes frustrating! But you don’t have to figure everything out in isolation. The beauty of these Reddit communities lies in the shared experience. Reading through posts, you’ll quickly realize that the challenges you’re facing are common. The questions you have are ones others have asked and answered. You can learn from mistakes others have made, get inspired by their successes, and find practical tips that you can apply to your own venture almost immediately.
Whether you need feedback on your landing page, advice on pricing your service, tips for finding your first clients, or just a place to vent when things get tough, these subreddits offer a powerful resource. Engage with the communities – ask thoughtful questions, share your own experiences (when you’re comfortable), and offer helpful feedback to others. Remember to be respectful and mindful of each subreddit’s specific rules and culture. And, critically, always use your own judgment. Reddit provides peer-to-peer advice and collective wisdom, which is incredibly valuable, but it’s not infallible professional consulting. Combine the insights you gain from these communities with your own research, critical thinking, and, when necessary, advice from qualified professionals like lawyers, accountants, or mentors. Used wisely, these subreddits can be an invaluable part of your entrepreneurial journey, helping you learn faster, avoid common pitfalls, and feel connected to a vast network of fellow builders and dreamers. Have a great sales and happy building!
