This is basically the first tip I give anyone who wants to talk to me about their next million-dollar idea. Test if you actually get a sale!
Whether it’s by building a simple storefront with your “soon to launch” products. Or pitch your ideas to friends and see if they actually draw their wallets. Test demand first!
There is a famous quote: If people tell you that your idea is good, drop it. If they ask you where they can buy it: move forward.
It’s not just about having a great idea. It’s about confirming that a market for it exists, people will pay for it, and it can grow into a profitable venture.
So, before you call your supplier and order 10,000 Padel skirts, make some designs. See if people are actually interested.
Before we dive into the free tools let’s look at 5 reasons why you should test first:
1. Market Demand:
Validation helps you see if there’s a real demand for your product or service. This step involves talking to your target market. You do this to gather feedback and gauge interest. Engaging with potential customers can reveal if your idea solves a problem they’ll pay for.
2. Feasibility and Viability:
By validating your idea, you assess if it can become a successful business. This includes understanding the market’s size. Also, the customers’ willingness to pay and the potential revenue. For example, by analyzing community sites, trends, and keyword interest, you can see if there is market demand. This can help determine if your business could make real money.
You can read more about spotting trends right here:
Elevate Your Side Gig: 11 Trend-Spotting Secrets for Success
3. Risk Mitigation:
Starting a business involves risk, but validation can significantly reduce this risk. It prevents you from investing time, energy, and resources into a venture that might not take off. Validating helps you pursue ideas with a higher chance of success. It also helps you avoid potential disasters.
4. Refinement and Improvement:
The feedback and data you gather are invaluable. You get them during the validation process. They help you refine your idea. It lets you tweak your offering to better meet your target market’s needs. This increases the chance of success.
5. Building Relationships:
Validation often involves talking to potential customers. It can help build relationships before your business launches. They can become your most loyal customers and advocates. They help to spread the word about your side hustle.
Validation is a crucial first step for a successful side hustle. It helps you make smart choices and take measured risks. This ensures you focus your efforts on an idea with great potential to succeed.
To validate your side hustle idea with minimal investment, use free tools. They can help you make a simple landing page.
Here are 4 free tools to build your landing page:
1. Canva:
Known for its wide range of design tools, Canva also offers a landing page builder. It provides customizable layouts. It has a rich media library for graphics. And, it can be published straight from Canva. You can use your own domain or Canvas free domain for up to five live websites.
2. Wix:
Wix offers many customizable landing page templates. They are designed to help you achieve your marketing goals. Wix’s landing page creator is built for conversions. It works with top marketing and analytics tools. It also provides free hosting and the option to connect a custom domain.
3. HubSpot:
This platform allows you to build landing pages. You can personalize them for individual visitors. It provides dynamic forms, A/B testing, and analytics. This helps optimize landing page performance. HubSpot’s landing page tool is part of Marketing Hub, and you can get started for free.
4. Carrd:
Carrd is a simple, free platform for building responsive, one-page sites. It’s particularly useful for creating landing pages quickly and without much hassle. Carrd’s ease of use and zero cost for basic features make it popular. Side hustlers and entrepreneurs often choose it.
These tools can help you set up a landing page. You can share it on social media or with friends to gauge interest in your side hustle. Pay close attention to the questions and feedback you get. They are invaluable for refining your concept before fully committing.
Wrapping it up.
Validating your side hustle with free tools like Canva, Wix, HubSpot, and Carrd can save you time and resources. These platforms offer intuitive design and analytics features to test market demand effectively. Before committing to your idea, use these tools to create a landing page and gauge customer interest. If you have any questions or need guidance on using these tools effectively for your side hustle, don’t hesitate to reach out directly for personalized advice.