One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is investing too much time and money into an idea before proving people actually want it. That’s where idea validation comes in—it’s the process of testing your business concept with real people before fully launching. And the good news? You don’t need a huge budget to do it.

Start by defining your core assumption: What is the main value you think your product or service offers? Write down what problem you’re solving, who it’s for, and why they’d care. Then challenge those assumptions with feedback, not fantasy.

A great way to start is by talking to your target audience. Interview at least 10-20 potential customers. Ask open-ended questions like:

• What are your biggest frustrations with [the problem your product solves]?
• How do you currently solve it?
• Would you pay for a better solution?

Then, build a minimum viable product (MVP). This doesn’t have to be a full product—it could be a landing page, a prototype, or even just a video explaining your idea. Tools like Carrd, Notion, or Figma can help you create mockups or pages in hours.

Use this MVP to collect data. You could:

• Run ads and see how many people click.
• Offer early access and measure sign-ups.
• Take pre-orders or offer a discount in exchange for early feedback.

Look for signals of real interest—clicks, sign-ups, purchases—not just compliments.

Finally, be ready to pivot. Validation might show that your idea needs refinement. That’s not failure—it’s progress. Every tweak brings you closer to a product people will actually pay for.

In short: Don’t guess—test. You’ll save money, time, and a lot of stress.