Introduction

For most founders, the first version of their product isn’t an MVP – it’s a hypothesis. It’s a collection of assumptions disguised as a roadmap. You assume users will understand the value. You assume they’ll know what to do next. You assume your product flow makes sense.

Validation breaks those assumptions before they break your budget.
It’s not about proving your idea is great – it’s about finding the fastest path to truth.

In early-stage SaaS, clarity beats speed. Moving fast in the wrong direction doesn’t make you a visionary, it makes you exhausted.

This guide walks you through an efficient, repeatable validation process that gives you proof instead of opinions using lightweight tools, measurable feedback, and strategic product thinking.

STEP 1

Define the Core Action You’re Validating

Start with this rule

if you can’t define success in one sentence, you can’t test it.

Validation begins with the core user action the one task that proves your product delivers value. Think of it as the heartbeat of your MVP.

If users can’t complete that action intuitively, nothing else matters – not your visuals, not your copy, not your pitch deck.

Example	Action
Booking Saas	“User books a service and receives confirmation.”
Team tool	“User invites a teammate and collaborates on one shared task.”
Budgeting app	“User logs an expense and sees their total update”

You’re not testing your vision – you’re testing your user’s comprehension.

A validated MVP isn’t one that looks impressive. It’s one users can complete without explanation.

STEP 2

Prototype for Logic, Not Aesthetics

A prototype’s job isn’t to look finished – it’s to make logic visible.

Use Figma to build a clickable flow that simulates the core user action from start to finish. Focus on clarity and functionality rather than beauty.

Early prototypes aren’t about design preference. They test whether your mental model matches the user’s:

Do they understand what the product does?

Can they predict what happens next?

Do they find the “aha” moment naturally?

Keep it lean, 3-7 connected screens showing entry, action, and success. Every button should lead somewhere, no dead ends. Include light micro-feedback like confirmation messages or transitions.

If users can complete the flow smoothly without noticing design imperfections, your logic is solid.

STEP 3

Test with Real Users, Not Friendly Opinions

3-5 user tests will reveal 80% of your product’s usability issues, but only if you test with the right people.

Friends, peers, and investors already understand your idea. They’ll fill in gaps subconsciously, giving you false positives. You need people who resemble your target cognition, not just your target demographic.

Recruit testers who experience the same problem your product solves. That’s where truth lives.

How to find user testers?

Find them in Startup groups, Slack communities, Reddit or niche Discord channels.
Offer a small reward → a €20–30 voucher works fine.
Screen them quickly with two questions:
- Have you faced [problem your product solves] recently?
- Would you use something like this if it solved it well?

STEP 4

Observe Without Interfering

When it’s time to test, remember: your job is to see the truth, not steer it.

Set up a call using Maze, Lookback, or Loom + Zoom. Ask one simple question:

“Imagine you just signed up for this product. Try to [main task]. Think out loud as you go.”

Then go quiet.

Silence is your best diagnostic tool. Every pause, frown, or backtrack reveals friction. If you feel the urge to explain, resist, that instinct proves your design failed to communicate.

Capture everything
Record the screen
Note hesitation moments
and time task completion (you can check that back from recording)

Afterward, tag key timestamps where users got stuck or lost confidence.
Every confusion is a design problem waiting for a fix.