How to validate my startup ideas before building: a practical guide

If you’ve ever had a great idea for a startup, you know how exciting it can be. You start envisioning the product, imagining how it’s going to change the world—or at least a small corner of it. But here’s the thing I’ve learned from building several startups: it’s incredibly easy to get carried away and jump straight into building without first confirming whether your idea will actually solve a real problem for real people.

That’s where validation comes in. I’ve made this mistake before—jumping the gun without validating—and it almost always leads to wasted time, money, and effort. Over time, I’ve developed a simple but effective process to make sure my idea has legs before I commit to building it. Here’s how I do it.

1. Talk to Potential Customers (And Actually Listen)

This might sound obvious, but the first step I take is talking to potential customers. You’d be surprised how easy it is to skip this part or assume you already know what your customers want. In the past, I’d get so excited about my idea that I’d bypass these early conversations. Big mistake.

Now, I make sure to speak with people who would actually use my product before I even think about building. And the key here is listening, not selling. These conversations are not about convincing people that your idea is great—it’s about understanding their pain points and seeing if your solution is a good fit.

I usually start with friends or acquaintances in my target audience, asking open-ended questions like:

“What’s the most frustrating part of [the problem area] for you?”
“How do you currently solve this issue?”
“If there was a tool that did X, would you use it?”

This process has saved me countless times. I remember once thinking I had a foolproof idea for a time management tool. After a few conversations with potential users, I realised my product wasn’t addressing their actual frustrations. They didn’t need another tool; they needed something simpler that integrated into tools they already used. Those early chats helped me pivot and come up with a version of the product that actually resonated with my audience.

2. Research the Market (Because You’re Probably Not the First)

It’s tempting to think your idea is one-of-a-kind, but more often than not, someone out there has already had a similar thought. Instead of letting that discourage me, I’ve learned to embrace it. If there are already similar products on the market, that’s a sign that there’s demand. What I focus on is finding my unique angle.

I start by searching for competitors. I use tools like Google Trends to see what’s popular and browse Product Hunt to discover products that are in the same space. This helps me figure out what the market looks like—who the key players are, what they’re doing well, and what gaps exist that my idea can fill.

I once had an idea for a niche social networking platform. After a bit of research, I discovered not only a few direct competitors but also several bigger players who had tried and failed in the space. Rather than being discouraged, I dug into the reasons they failed, and it helped me refine my concept to avoid making the same mistakes.

Even if the market seems crowded, there’s almost always room for improvement. Maybe your product can offer a better user experience, or perhaps you can cater to a niche that’s been overlooked. This research helps me zero in on what’s going to set my idea apart.

3. Build a Landing Page (Without Building the Product)

One of the best ways I’ve found to gauge interest in an idea is by creating a simple landing page. It’s a low-effort, high-reward tactic. I don’t need to build a full product—just a single page that clearly explains the value of the idea. If I can get people interested enough to sign up for early access or share their email address, I know I’m onto something.

Here’s how I do it: I create a basic landing page with a clear value proposition, a few visuals (mockups if I have them), and a strong call to action. The goal here isn’t to sell a product; it’s to see if people are intrigued enough to take the next step. Usually, I’ll include an email signup form for updates or early access.

Once the page is live, I’ll drive some traffic to it using social media, Reddit, or low-cost ads. I set a small budget—just enough to get a few hundred clicks—and see how many people convert. If I’m getting solid interest, it’s a green light to move forward.

I’ve done this with several projects, and each time it helps me get a feel for how my message is resonating. I remember one time when I thought I had nailed the concept for a new app, but after running the landing page, the signup rate was abysmal. I quickly realised that the way I was framing the problem didn’t connect with users, so I reworked the messaging and tried again. Huge difference.

4. Start with an MVP (Not the Full Product)

In the early days, I used to fall into the trap of trying to build a full-fledged product right out of the gate. Over time, I learned that it’s much better to start with a minimum viable product (MVP)—the simplest version of your product that still solves the core problem.

The MVP approach has been a game-changer for me. Rather than spending months perfecting something, I now aim to get a rough version of the product out there quickly. This way, I can collect feedback from real users and iterate based on their needs.

For example, I once built an MVP for a project management tool with only a few core features—task tracking and basic collaboration. It wasn’t fancy, but it allowed me to test my assumptions. And guess what? Users didn’t care about half the features I thought were essential. They wanted better integration with existing tools and a cleaner UI, which shifted my focus when building the next version.

When building an MVP, I focus on solving the primary pain point as simply as possible. Whether it’s using no-code tools, wireframes, or basic prototypes, the goal is to test, learn, and iterate.

5. Crowdfunding or Pre-sales (The Ultimate Test)

One of the most effective ways I’ve found to validate an idea is by asking people to pay for it before it exists. Sounds scary, right? But it’s an incredible way to measure real demand.

Platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo have been instrumental for me when validating product ideas. By launching a crowdfunding campaign, I can present the concept to a broader audience and see if they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.

I’ve also tested pre-sales on my own site by offering early-bird pricing for a product that’s still in development. This approach not only gives me validation but also helps fund the project before I’ve even built it.

I once launched a pre-sale for an app idea that I wasn’t entirely sure would take off. Within a few weeks, I had enough pre-orders to cover the initial development costs, which gave me both the financial backing and the confidence to move forward. Pre-sales or crowdfunding can be an incredible motivator because they show that people are truly invested in your solution.

Whenever I’m testing a new idea, I turn to online communities for feedback. Whether it’s Reddit, Indie Hackers, or specialised forums related to the industry, sharing my concept with others always helps me refine it. It’s a great way to get social proof and see how people respond to the idea.

I usually frame my posts in a way that invites constructive feedback: “I’m working on this idea for a [product/solution], and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.” The responses are often honest and unfiltered, which is exactly what I need to improve the concept.

What’s cool about sharing in these spaces is that you also start to build an early community around your idea. I’ve had people who were part of these discussions become some of my first users once the product was live. And the best part? These communities are usually filled with other startup founders, so they get what you’re going through and want to help.

Conclusion: Validate First, Build Smarter

Validating your startup idea before building doesn’t have to be a complex, time-consuming process. It’s about being intentional with how you approach your idea—by talking to potential customers, researching the market, creating a simple landing page, and testing with an MVP or pre-sales. These steps have saved me from building products that no one wanted and helped me focus on ideas that actually resonate with people.

Trust me, the validation process will get you even more excited about your idea. You’ll have real feedback, real interest, and perhaps even real customers before you’ve written a single line of code. So, take the time to validate—it’s worth every second. And once you’ve got that validation, you’ll feel confident diving into the next phase of your startup journey. Happy building!