How do I validate a product idea before building it?
By Faina Shpund, product leader and advisor to early-stage founders. Updated 2026-10-20.
The short answer
Validate the problem first, then the offer. Talk to people who have the problem about the last time it happened, then show them a clear offer with a price and ask for a commitment, like a pre-order, deposit, or pilot. If nobody commits to a well-explained offer, building it won't change that.
Step 1: Validate the problem
Ask about past behavior. It tells you more than future intentions. 'Tell me about the last time this happened' beats 'Would you use a tool that…'. Listen for cost, frustration, and workarounds.
Step 2: Validate the offer
Write one page: who it's for, the outcome, and the price. Show it to the people you interviewed. Their reaction to a concrete price tells you more than any survey.
Step 3: Ask for a commitment
A pre-order, a paid pilot, or a deposit. If you can, deliver the first version by hand. Doing it manually shows what people actually value before you automate the wrong thing.
Common questions
- Can I validate an idea without building anything?
- Yes. Problem interviews, a one-page offer with a price, and a request for a pre-order or pilot can all happen before any code.
- Are surveys a good way to validate an idea?
- They're weak on their own because people predict their own behavior poorly. Use them to find people to talk to.
- What counts as validation?
- Someone giving up something for it: money, a deposit, meaningful time, or putting their reputation behind an introduction.
About the author
Faina Shpund has spent 20 years building products. She helps solo and early-stage founders decide what to build next, test whether an idea has demand, and figure out why a launch isn't finding users.
Want her to look at your specific situation? The Practice is a 3 month, 1:1 program with biweekly calls and Slack access between calls. You'll find a problem people already spend time or money coping with, validate it, and define the MVP.
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