4 proven tests to validate product-market fit (PMF)
In the early stages of building a startup, one of the most critical milestones is achieving product-market fit (PMF)—ensuring your product meets the needs of a specific market segment.
Many founders believe PMF is a mystical process.
In reality, it can be tested, measured, and validated.
Here are the 4 proven tests founders should try to validate product-market fit (PMF):
1. The smoke test 🔥
Create a simple landing page and drive traffic to it.
Got sign-ups? Congrats, people are interested.
No sign-ups? Time to tweak or rethink.
2. The mom test 👩👧
Pitch your product to your mom (or anyone who loves you).
If they give polite feedback, it’s a no.
If they ask tough questions? You're onto something.
3. The pre-sale test 💸
Can you get people to pay before your product is ready?
If yes, it’s a winner.
If no, keep iterating until they can’t wait.
4. The engagement test 📊
Launch a basic version and track user behavior.
Do they come back? Do they tell friends?
If yes, you're hitting the sweet spot.
Finding product-market fit isn’t a one-time process
It’s a series of test, learn, adjust—and repeat.
I've broken down of these 4 tests into a cheat sheet—with actionable steps, application frameworks, and recommendations for the types of businesses that should use each test.
Get it here for FREE 👉 CHEAT SHEET
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- Gracie from What A Startup