You think your idea is gold, but will strangers actually pay for it before it exists? Find out what really separates wishful thinking from real demand—before you waste months building.
Starting a tech company can feel like throwing darts in the dark. You have this amazing idea, but how do you know if people actually want it before you spend months (and tons of money) building it?
Here's the thing: asking people "Would you use this?" isn't enough. People are nice. They'll tell you what they think you want to hear. But there are two simple ways to find out if your idea is actually worth pursuing.
This is the gold standard of customer validation, and it's exactly what it sounds like. If people are willing to give you real money for something that doesn't exist yet, you've struck gold.
Here's how this works in the real world:
Pre-orders and deposits: Create a simple landing page that explains your product and asks for a small deposit or full pre-order. If people are willing to put down $50, $100, or more for your app or service before it exists, you know they really want it.
Paid beta programs: Offer early access to your MVP for a reduced price. People who pay for beta access are your most valuable customers because they're investing in your vision.
Service-first approach: Before building the full tech stack, offer your solution as a manual service. If people pay for the manual version, they'll definitely pay for the automated one.
The beauty of this method? You're not just validating your idea—you're also getting funding to build it. Plus, these early customers become your biggest advocates and provide the best feedback during development.
If getting people to pay upfront feels too aggressive, this is your next best bet. But here's the key: they need to sign up based on ads alone, not because you asked your friends and family.
Here's the simple process:
Create a compelling landing page: Build one page that clearly explains what problem you're solving and how your solution will work. No need for fancy wireframes or complicated designs.
Run targeted ads: Use Facebook, Google, or LinkedIn ads to drive traffic to your landing page. Start with a small budget—even $100 can tell you a lot.
Track the right metrics: Don't just count sign-ups. Look at the cost per sign-up and the quality of the email addresses. If it costs you $50 to get one email address, that might be a red flag.
Follow up quickly: Send a welcome email immediately, then follow up within a week asking about their biggest challenges related to your product area.
The magic number? If you can get 100+ quality email sign-ups from strangers who found you through ads, you're onto something real.
Once you've got paying customers or a solid email list, here's where the real magic happens. Reach out to these people and show them a high-fidelity prototype of what you're building.
This step alone can save you five figures (or more) on that initial round of iterative feedback. Instead of building features nobody wants, you'll know exactly what to focus on before you write a single line of code.
And here's a bonus: that same prototype becomes a powerful asset in your ads. People can see and interact with what you're building, making them way more likely to sign up or pre-order.
Both of these approaches require people to take action, not just answer questions. When someone signs up for your newsletter or puts money down, they're making a small commitment. That commitment tells you way more than any survey ever could.
Think about it: how many times have you told someone their restaurant idea sounds great, but you've never actually eaten there? Actions speak louder than words, especially when those actions involve time or money.
When your product does launch, you'll have a ready-and-waiting audience to sign up. But here's the crucial part: don't keep them wondering what's happening.
Stay consistent with updates and follow through on your promises so you stay top-of-mind while you build. Send monthly updates showing your progress, share behind-the-scenes stories, and ask for their input on key decisions.
The people who signed up or paid early are your biggest fans. Treat them like VIPs and they'll become your best marketing team when you finally launch.
Family and friends don't count: Your mom will sign up for anything you create. Make sure your validation comes from strangers who have the problem you're trying to solve.
Free doesn't count: Anyone will sign up for something free. The willingness to pay (even a little) is what separates real customers from tire-kickers.
One-time responses aren't enough: If people sign up but never engage with your follow-up emails, they might not be as interested as you think.
Pick one of these methods and try it this week. Seriously. Don't spend months building something nobody wants.
If you're going for pre-orders, create a simple landing page explaining your product and set up a payment system. If you're testing with newsletters, write clear ad copy and set up a basic email capture form.
The best part? Both of these methods cost way less than building a full product. You can validate your idea for under $1000 instead of spending $50,000+ on development.
Remember, the goal isn't to get hundreds of responses right away. Even 10-20 people willing to pay or sign up from ads tells you there's real demand for what you're building.
Validation isn't just a nice-to-have step—it's the difference between building something people actually want and building something that looks great but nobody uses.
Ready to test your idea the right way? Get in touch with us for help with customer validation, prototype development, and building the right product from day one.
