Months of building, a big launch… and silence. It's the most common story in startups and side projects. The fix isn't building faster — it's finding out if anyone wants it before you build.
Why most ideas fail
Post-mortems of failed startups keep naming the same top reason: no market need. Not bad code, not the wrong logo. People simply didn't care enough to change their habits or open their wallets.
Score your idea
Be brutally honest. The shape matters more than the total: one zero can sink everything.
How badly does it hurt? (nice-to-have → hair on fire)
How often do people face it? (yearly → daily)
Do they already spend money/time on it?
Can you reach these people cheaply? (communities, SEO, network)
Are current solutions clearly bad or overpriced?
Do you have unfair skills, access or insight?
Danger zone · 15/30
Without real pain and proof people pay, it's a hobby. Talk to 10 potential customers before writing code.
Talk to customers (the right way)
Everyone is polite about your idea. So don't ask about your idea — ask about their life.
- ❌ “Would you use an app that…?” → everyone says yes.
- ✅ “Tell me about the last time this problem happened. What did you do? What did it cost you?”
- ✅ “What have you already tried? Are you paying for anything now?”
Quick check
Which answer is the strongest signal of real demand?
Compliments are noise. Past behaviour and money are signal.
A 7-day validation plan
- Day 1–2: write down your riskiest assumption and find 10 target people (communities, LinkedIn, friends of friends).
- Day 3–4: interview them using past-behaviour questions. Note exact words they use.
- Day 5: build a one-page site using their words, a real price and a “Pre-order” or “Join the waitlist” button.
- Day 6: send it to interviewees and post it where your audience hangs out.
- Day 7: count commitments: emails, pre-orders, booked calls. Decide: build, change, or drop.
Do it manually first
Offer the service by hand (“concierge MVP”) before automating. If people pay for the manual version, the software version will sell.