Picture yourself spending months (or years) working on something, only to find out nobody cares. That is why it is so crucial to validate your product idea before you start. You must know that actual people have an actual problem and that your product is the solution they will pay for.

So, before you leave your job, borrow money or spend sleepless nights working on a concept, let’s ensure that it’s worth it. Here’s how to test your idea smartly and not become part of that 42%.

Why is Validating a Product Idea Important? 7 Steps to Follow

Before you invest time, money, and sleepless nights into your product, ask yourself:

• Does my product solve a real problem? Or is it just something cool that no one actually needs?
• Are people willing to pay for it? Because likes and shares don’t pay the bills.
• Is there a demand for it? Or are you trying to sell ice to penguins?

But read the scary part: 

As per research by CB Insights, 35% of startups fail because there’s no market need for their product. It entails one in three founders wasting time, capital and resources on a product nobody wants.

Don’t let that statistic be you. Let’s make sure your idea is actually worth pursuing before you go all in. 

Follow these proven steps to test, tweak and triumph.

Step 1: Define the Problem Clearly

All successful products tackle an actual problem. If you can’t define the problem in one sentence, you might need to work on your idea some more.

• Put into writing the precise problem your product fixes.
• Ask yourself; Is this a problem that I alone have or do other people have it as well?
• Look online on sites such as Reddit, Quora and professional forums to know if people are talking about this problem.

If you cannot see actual complaints or discussions about this problem on the web, it could be because the issue is not big enough to work on. 

Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience

Not every product is for everyone. The more specific your target audience is, the better. You need to understand exactly who will buy your product and why.

Create a basic customer persona by answering:

• What is their age, location, and job?
• What specific problem do they struggle with?
• How much would they be willing to pay for a solution?

Use Google Trends to see if interest in this kind of product is increasing over time.

If you can describe your audience in detail, you are on the right track. If not, your idea might be too broad or unclear.

Step 3: Conduct Surveys and Interviews

Many entrepreneurs assume they know what customers want. But assumptions can be dangerous. You need to ask real people to get real insights.

Create a short survey using tools like Google Forms, Typeform, or SurveyMonkey.

Ask potential customers questions like:

• Would you buy this product if it existed?

• What features would be most important to you?

• How much would you be willing to pay?

Conduct one-on-one interviews to dig deeper into their needs and pain points.

If you are launching an app for students to manage their studies, ask students:

• What is the biggest challenge you face when trying to stay organized?
• What apps or methods do you currently use and what do you dislike about them?

You can adjust your idea before investing too much into development.

Step 4: Analyze Your Competitors

If similar products already exist, that’s actually a good thing. It means there is demand for your idea. Your goal is to find out what they are doing right and where they are failing.

• Visit competitor websites, social media pages, and review sites.
• Read customer reviews on Amazon, Trustpilot or the Google Play Store.
• Identify common complaints. These are gaps you can address with your product.

90% of Fortune 500 companies practice competitive intelligence. If you find no competition at all, this might be a red flag. It could mean there isn’t enough demand for your idea.

Step 5: Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Instead of creating a fully developed product right away, build a basic version that includes only the core features. This is called a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and it helps you test whether people are truly interested before committing to a full launch.

• If it’s a software product, create a prototype using tools like Figma or Adobe XD.
• If it’s a physical product, develop a simple handmade version or a 3D model.
• Offer your MVP to a small group of users and collect feedback.

If people aren’t excited about the simplest version of your product, they won’t be excited about a fully developed version either.

Step 6: Test Your Idea with Real Customers

To validate demand, you need real potential buyers; not just people who say they like your idea.

Create a simple landing page with product details and a sign-up for a waitlist.

Run small-budget ads on Facebook or Google to measure how many people are interested. Use Kickstarter or Indiegogo to raise funds and gauge demand.

If people are signing up and pre-ordering, you have strong validation. If not; your product might not be solving a big enough problem.

Step 7: Pre-Sell Your Product

The strongest validation is getting people to pay for your product before you even launch it. If people are willing to buy it upfront, that’s proof of demand.

• Offer pre-orders on your website with an early-bird discount.
• List your product on platforms like Etsy, Amazon or Shopify as “coming soon.”
• Work with influencers or bloggers to promote your pre-launch.

Tesla takes pre-orders for its cars years before production begins. This strategy not only proves demand but also helps fund development.

If no one is willing to pre-order, it might mean you need to adjust your product or marketing strategy.

Final Thoughts

Validating your product idea is a must! Skipping validation can cost you time, money and effort on something nobody wants. If you are serious about launching a successful product, start small and test often and listen to real customer feedback. 

Book a free consultation with Doerz Tech and we will help you turn your idea into a profitable business.

People Also Ask

1. How long does it take to validate a product idea?

It varies by product, but a thorough validation usually takes 2-6 months to gather real insights and test demand. The more real feedback you collect, the better your chances of success.

2. Can I validate a product idea without spending money?

Yes! Use free tools like Google Forms, Reddit, and social media polls to collect feedback and gauge interest. Talking to potential customers directly can also give valuable insights.

3. What is the biggest mistake in product validation?

Relying on friends and family for feedback instead of real customers can lead to biased opinions and inaccurate validation. Always test with people who would actually buy your product.