Before launching your business, try these tools and techniques to make sure your idea is worth pursuing.
You’ve got a business idea. Maybe even a great one. But before you invest your savings or spend months building something, you need to answer one question: Does anybody actually want this?
Market testing doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. The goal is to get quick, honest feedback and real-world signals that your product or service solves a problem worth paying for. This guide walks through simple tools and platforms that help you test your idea early, avoid costly mistakes, and build with confidence.
Talk to Humans: The Most Valuable Early Testing Tool
1. Customer Discovery Interviews
Before you build anything, talk to 5–10 people in your potential target market. Ask about their habits, frustrations, current solutions, and what they wish existed.
Tool Suggestion
Use Google Forms, Calendly for booking
What to Ask
- What’s the hardest part about [problem area]?
- Have you paid for any solutions before?
- What’s the impact if this doesn’t get solved?
Use it when
You need real-world context and patterns from your target audience.
2. Problem Validation Surveys
If you have a specific audience in mind (parents, dog owners, hairstylists), send out a quick 5-question survey. Ask what problems they face, what they’ve tried, and what would make their life easier.
Tool Suggestion
Google Forms or Typeform – Easy to share through social media, Facebook groups, or email.
Use it when
You want to validate your problem statement or narrow in on your top 2–3 opportunities.
Test the Waters Online
3. Landing Page MVPs
Create a simple landing page that explains your idea and invites people to sign up for updates, early access, or a free trial. The number of signups is your first signal of interest.
Tool Suggestion
Carrd, Wix, or Mailchimp Landing Pages – Fast, no-code tools to build a one-pager in under an hour.
What to Include
- A clear headline that speaks to the problem
- A short explanation of your product or service
- A call-to-action (subscribe, pre-order, apply)
Use it when
You want to gauge interest without launching a full product.
4. Pre-Sell or Waitlist Offers
If your product or service is almost ready, consider offering it as a pre-order or setting up a waitlist. This helps test not just interest, but purchase intent.
Tool Suggestion
Gumroad, Stripe Payment Links, or Shopify Pre-Order tools.
Use it when
You want to see if people are willing to pay, not just click.
5. Explainer Videos or Mockups
Create a 30–60 second video explaining your concept or showing a demo of how it will work. Then share it on platforms where your ideal customers hang out and ask for feedback.
Tool Suggestion
Canva for mockups and short videos, Loom for recorded demos, or InVision for clickable prototypes.
Use it when
You want early feedback on your product or service before it exists.
Use Paid Ads to Test Demand
6. Facebook or Instagram Ad Tests
Set up a small-budget campaign ($50–100) targeting your ideal customer. The ad leads to your landing page or waitlist. Track how many people click and sign up.
Tool Suggestion
Meta Ads Manager – Offers great targeting by age, location, interests, and more.
Use it when
You want early data on how well your concept grabs attention from your audience.
7. Google Search Ads
Instead of pushing your idea to people, test how many people are already searching for it. Run keyword-based ads that lead to a landing page and see how many click.
Tool Suggestion
Google Ads – Focus on a few specific search phrases that describe your business.
Use it when
Your idea solves a known problem that people are actively looking for help with.
Get Honest Feedback
8. Reddit and Facebook Groups
Find niche communities related to your idea and post your concept. Ask for feedback. Be honest that you’re testing and want advice, not making a hard sell.
Tool Suggestion
Subreddits like r/Entrepreneur, r/SideProject, or niche Facebook communities.
Use it when
You want real opinions, not just “likes” or compliments.
9. UseTesters or Maze
These platforms let you post your concept or prototype and get detailed feedback from real users. It’s more structured than Reddit and works well for digital products.
Tool Suggestion
usertesting.com or maze.co – Useful for UX feedback or app-based ideas.
Use it when
You have a prototype or early version of your product and want structured insights.
When Should You Stop or Pivot?
Market testing doesn’t always give you the answer you want. That’s okay. If people consistently say no, don’t engage, or don’t see value, don’t waste time building it.
Ask yourself:
- Are people excited or just being polite
- Did anyone take action, like signing up or paying
- Do I keep hearing, “I’d use it if…” or “Have you thought about…”
Testing should help you pivot, improve, or move on with confidence. That’s a win.
Final Thoughts
Market testing is about progress, not perfection. You’re not trying to validate your worth as an entrepreneur; you’re just trying to figure out what works.
You can start testing your idea today with a simple Google Form, a landing page, or five conversations. You don’t need a website, an Instagram account, or a business number.
If you want to talk it through or review what you’ve learned from testing, check out our Assessing an Idea Resource or book a chat with an Advisor. When you’re ready to build it out, we’ve got the next steps waiting.
