How the Channel Finder works
We rate every channel from 1 to 10 on the criteria below. All criteria start with equal weight, and each answer you give shifts weight toward what matters in your situation. Channels are then ranked by their weighted average, the fit score. Channels that need something you don't have yet, like paying customers for a referral program or ad budget for paid search, are kept out of your top picks and listed with what would unlock them.
| Criterion | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Targeting | How precisely can we reach the right targeted accounts? |
| Trust | How much credibility does the channel build before the sales conversation? |
| Intent | How likely are leads actively considering a purchase? |
| Activation | How likely are users from this channel to reach meaningful product value? |
| Value | How valuable are acquired customers likely to become? |
| Impact | How significantly does the channel affect revenue growth? |
| Effort | How easy is the channel to launch and manage? |
| Cost | How affordable is the channel to execute successfully? |
| Speed | How quickly can the channel produce pipeline or revenue? |
| Feasibility | How realistic is this channel for a newer company? |
| Scalability | How easily can the channel grow without losing efficiency? |
| Priority | How urgently should the company test or build this channel? |
Activation only applies to product-led channels. A high Cost rating means a channel is affordable, and a high Effort rating means it is easy to run.
How your answers change the ranking
| If you choose | Channels that rank higher |
|---|---|
| Pre-launch | Channels that need no customers; reviews, case studies and product loops wait until later |
| First customers | Reviews and partner channels open up; referral programs wait until you have a customer base |
| Bootstrapped | Investor intro and portfolio channels wait until later |
| No email list or audience | List-based channels wait until later |
| No budget | Free channels only; paid ads and sponsorships wait until later |
| Pre-launch or first customers | Channels that work without an established brand |
| Lean budget | Affordable channels |
| Results in 30–60 days | Channels that pay off quickly |
| Founder or one marketer | Channels that are easy to run |
| Scaling or building for next year | Channels that scale and move revenue |
| High-intent leads | Buyer intent and precise targeting |
| More sign-ups and users | Impact, scale and product activation |
| Bigger customers | Customer value and trust |
| Brand and credibility | Channels that build trust |
From ranking to results
- Read up on your top picks. Our guide to 150 customer acquisition channels explains how each type of channel works and the mistakes to avoid.
- Track your tests. The channel scorecard template has every channel and rating, plus a Result column for your own numbers.
- Know what you can afford. Use the unit economics calculator to set a target CAC, and the SaaS growth calculator to see how much pipeline your channels need to deliver.
- Get help running them. Compare the best Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, SEO and outbound agencies, or see how our GTM strategy team builds a channel plan.
