How to know if a problem is worth building a product around?
Ever been so annoyed by a problem you thought “someone needs to fix this”? That’s where a ton of great products start. However… how do you really know whether this frustration is worth building a product around, or if it's just a personal annoyance?
This was the first question @mwamedacen and I asked ourselves when we considered launching 1Stroke - an AI tool that generates and rephrases smart replies anywhere on the web with just a right-click.
Our pain point? We used to spend hours writing and rewriting professional emails and social media content, only for them to be read in mere seconds.
Here's the process that convinced us to give it a try, and that we can recommend to anyone at this stage:
Validate that you’re not alone
Ask friends, family, or colleagues if they face the same issue.Hunt for workarounds or existing alternatives
If people are hacking together scripts or paying for costly solutions, that’s a strong sign.Assess “Hair on Fire” vs “Nice to Have”
Is this problem a daily annoyance or just an occasional inconvenience?
If your solution saves time, money, or sanity, you’re onto something.Talk to 10 strangers
Seek out strangers and listen to how they describe the problem. If their eyes light up, you’re on the right track!
Test the interest
Create a mockup or landing page to assess if people will sign up, share, or pay for it. This helps distinguish real interest from polite applause.
Launch the solution
Share your product in engaged communities to get authentic feedback. Product Hunt is a great platform to launch and receive constructive input from a supportive audience.
Turn frustration into excitement!
Be passionate about your problem, enjoy your journey, and always seek to improve your solution.
What frustration have you solved – or want to solve?
👇 Share your own stories of turning frustration into creation! Let’s get inspired.
Replies