How do I know if my app idea is good?
Quick Answer
Good ideas solve real problems that people already spend money or significant time addressing. The best test is whether you can get someone to pay for it before it's built.
Full Explanation
Most app ideas that seem good turn out not to be, and that's okay-the goal is to find out quickly. Here are the signs that an idea might actually work:
Positive signals:
- People are already solving this problem in hacky ways (spreadsheets, manual processes)
- There are competitors, but users complain about them (competition validates demand)
- You've personally experienced the problem repeatedly
- People offer to pay before you've built anything
- The problem is urgent, not just 'nice to solve someday'
Warning signs:
- You can't easily explain who it's for and what problem it solves
- When you describe it, people say 'cool' but don't ask follow-up questions
- The idea requires changing user behaviour dramatically
- You haven't talked to anyone who has the problem
- The market is dominated by well-funded competitors with network effects
How to test cheaply:
- . Describe your idea to 20 people who might use it. Note their reactions.
- . Create a landing page and see if strangers sign up
- . Offer to solve the problem manually for a few people (concierge MVP)
- . Pre-sell: 'I'm building X. Would you pay $Y/month when it's ready?'
The best validation is someone paying you money. The second best is someone giving you their time repeatedly. Everything else is speculation.
Related Questions
How do I validate my app idea before building?
Talk to potential users, build a landing page to gauge interest, and create the simplest possible version to test the core value proposition before investing heavily.
What's an MVP and why does it matter?
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your app that lets you test your core idea with real users. It matters because building the wrong thing is the biggest startup risk.
How do I get my first users?
Start with your immediate network, post in relevant online communities, and build in public. Your first 10-100 users should come from personal outreach, not marketing.
Get Hands-On Answers at Buildday Melbourne
Stop reading about building apps and start actually building. Join our one-day workshop and get your questions answered while creating something real.
Related Questions
How do I validate my app idea before building?
Talk to potential users, build a landing page to gauge interest, and create the simplest possible version to test the...
How do I get my first users?
Start with your immediate network, post in relevant online communities, and build in public. Your first 10-100 users...
What's an MVP and why does it matter?
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your app that lets you test your core idea with real users. It...
Do VCs fund non-technical founders?
Yes, but it's harder. VCs care most about traction, market insight, and your ability to execute. Having a technical...
What's the real cost to build an app with AI?
A basic MVP can cost $0-500 using AI tools. Production apps with users typically run $50-500/month for hosting, plus...
Do I need a technical co-founder?
Not necessarily, especially early on. AI tools let you build and validate without one. But as you scale, having...