Will anyone want this? How to test demand before you build

Learning goal

Too many startups in the Philippines launch without knowing if people actually care.

They build first, ask later, and burn months or money on something the market never asked for.

Testing demand doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small experiments can give you powerful answers and save you from building in the dark.

Why it matters

1. Start with a clear problem and a specific user
   You can’t test demand if your idea is vague.
   Make sure you’ve defined:

• Who you're helping (be specific)

• What pain you're solving

• What your solution looks like (at a basic level)
  Give people something real to react to.

2. Talk to 5 to 10 potential customers
   The simplest, most powerful method. Ask:

• “What’s the most frustrating part of this problem?”

• “Have you tried to solve it before?”

• “Would this kind of solution help?”
  If they start asking when it’s available, you’re on to something.

3. Run a smoke test
   A smoke test checks if people are really interested before you build. Try:

• A landing page with a “sign up for early access”

• A pre-order or waitlist form

• A fake “buy now” or “request demo” button that leads to “coming soon”
  Track clicks, signups, or messages—not likes.

4. Use social media as a testing ground
   Try posting about the problem and a possible solution. Then:

• Watch who comments or DMs you

• Run a quick poll on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn

• Ask: “Is this a problem you face?” or “Would you pay for this?”
  Real interest equals questions, not likes.

5. Ask for commitment, not just compliments
   “Nice idea” feels good, but it’s not validation.
   Real demand looks like:

• Giving their email

• Joining a waitlist

• Booking a call

• Offering to pay or pre-order
  Compliments don’t build businesses. Commitments do.

Quick checklist

• Problem and customer are clearly defined

• Spoken to real users and logged their feedback

• Tested online interest through a basic landing page or post

• Focused on actions, not opinions

• At least one clear next step based on what you learned

What to do next / StellarPH tip

If 10 strangers say “that’s interesting,” that’s not enough.
If 3 say “Where can I get this?”, that’s your green light.