Check Your Product Market Fit
Test your initial validation signals against hard metrics using the Startup Idea Validator to ensure you aren't chasing a ghost.
Lean startup validation
The core thesis of Eric Ries's "Lean Startup Methodology" is the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. It fundamentally rejects the traditional 1990s model of spending a year operating in "stealth mode" to perfect a business plan. Instead, you launch a crude test on day one, measure the miserable reaction from the market, learn why they hated it, tweak the offering, and iterate. You pivot away from failure faster than you burn capital.
Customer interviews
When executing discovery calls, do not pitch. Listen. You must drill deep into their workflow. Ask: "How frequently does this problem occur?", "How much money or time does it cost you?", and most importantly, "What software or tools have you already tried to fix this?" If they have not spent money trying to fix it, it is a mild inconvenience, not a business opportunity.
Landing page testing
A " Painted Door Test" involves creating a landing page that describes the perfect solution the customer needs, but when they click the pricing or 'Checkout' button, they are met with a "We are taking early access signups" form. The conversion rate (Total Visitors / Signups) dictates the market velocity. A sub-1% conversion means terrible positioning or weak demand. A 10%+ conversion rate means you need to stop socializing and start writing code immediately.
Prototype validation
Platforms like Figma allow founders to build high-fidelity interactive prototypes in an afternoon without writing a single line of frontend code. Put this clickable prototype in the hands of the target demographic via a Zoom screen-share. Watch where they click. Watch where they get confused. If they aren't willing to pay you $50 after the Zoom call to get early access to the actual built product, the prototype failed validation.
Data signals founders should track
Differentiate between "Vanity Metrics" and "Traction Metrics".
- Vanity Metrics: 10,000 views on a viral Founder tweet, 400 upvotes on Product Hunt, 50 friends saying "great idea". These mean nothing and predict zero revenue.
- Traction Metrics: 5 paid invoice deposits, 20 scheduled sales calls with qualified B2B buyers, 1 signed LOI (Letter of Intent). Proceed based solely on traction metrics validated via the Startup Validator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mom Test?
A book and strategy by Rob Fitzpatrick that explains how to ask questions during validation interviews. The core premise is: never ask anyone if your idea is good (because they will lie like your mom would). Only ask about their past behavior regarding the problem.
Does a landing page count as an MVP?
Yes. A landing page testing 'willingness to pay' or collecting intent is often a better MVP than a buggy alpha version of software.
Should I build an audience or validate an idea first?
Building an audience first makes validation infinitely easier because you have immediate, free distribution to test hypotheses. However, validating a pressing B2B problem and immediately selling to 5 direct companies is faster if you lack an audience.