You want the feeder where you can see it from a comfortable location such as outside a kitchen window, at the edge of a deck or, or wherever you want to view the birds. Once you decide on a location, there are more things to look at. The more you have to maintain and clean up the feeder area, the less you might enjoy it. Try to find a location that will require as little maintenance as possible. Another consideration when selecting a location is the amount of cover nearby.
Birds like to feel safe when feeding.
If the feeder is placed too close to thick cover where a neighborhood cat may hide and ambush the birds, the birds may be reluctant to feed. Birds do, however, prefer some type of escape cover to retreat into when startled. A nearby tree will suffice. Feeders placed in thick cover or too far out in the open will not be as attractive to birds as a well placed feeder. There are numerous types of feeders on the market, each one having a different purpose.