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User research · checked 11 November 2026

Interview people about the problem before you build, then watch five users try one real task each, fix what you saw and test five more.

Nielsen Norman Group found the first five participants uncover 85% of usability problems, so small rounds beat one big study. Recruit from your customer list, WhatsApp groups or LinkedIn, ask each person to think aloud on a video call, and stay quiet while they work. Keep talking to a customer or two every week even while you build.

The steps 12 answers

  1. How do I run a quick usability test on my app when I don't have a budget or a research team? Starting Up
  2. Which tool should I use to analyse qualitative data like interview notes? Starting Up
  3. How do I know if my product is confusing to users? Starting Up
  4. How do I turn vague feedback like "the app feels clunky" into specific design changes I can actually make? Starting Up
  5. How do I keep talking to users while I'm heads-down building? Starting Up
  6. How do I test my AI prototype with real users, and can AI simulate user feedback? How Founders Use AI
  7. How can AI help me understand my customers: interview analysis, synthesis, and user research? How Founders Use AI
  8. How do I show a prototype to users without biasing their reaction? Starting Up
  9. I've done 20 interviews and every person described a slightly different problem. How do I know if there's a real pattern or just noise? Starting Up
  10. How do I do user research when I'm building something nobody has seen before and can't describe what they want? Starting Up
  11. As a solo technical founder who hates sales calls, how do I do user research without it draining me every week? Starting Up
  12. How do I keep learning from customers after launch instead of only doing research once at the start? Starting Up

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The terms

Product DiscoveryUser PersonaPrototype

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