6.7 KiB
Validation Approaches Catalog
Date: January 9, 2026
Status: ✅ Reference document
Version: 1.0
Purpose: Catalog of validation approaches with pros/cons for Oleg to choose
Current State
- Paying customers: 0
- Interviews conducted: 0
- API feedback received: 0
- Product status: MVP ready, validation flows partially ready
Validation Flows (What User Tests)
| Flow | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Flow 1: Live URLs | ✅ Ready | Generate via URL params, no API key needed |
| Flow 2: Lab UI | TBD | Web interface for testing generations |
| Flow 3: API Integration | ✅ Ready | Full API with key, SDK, documentation |
| Flow 4: MCP | ❌ Not built | Claude/Cursor integration |
Validation Approaches
1. Known Developer (Personal Network)
What: Ask developers you already know to try Banatie
Reliability: ⭐ (Low)
Cost: $0
Time: 1 day
Pros:
- Fastest possible feedback
- Will actually try it (personal relationship)
- Can ask deep follow-up questions
Cons:
- Biased feedback (won't say "this is useless")
- May not be target ICP
- Small sample size
- "Friend favor" dynamic distorts honesty
Best for: Technical sanity check, UX bugs, basic flow testing
2. Telegram RU Communities
What: Post in Russian-speaking dev communities
Reliability: ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium)
Cost: $0
Time: 2-3 days
Pros:
- Native language = deeper conversations
- Some communities are active and engaged
- Can find specific niches (React, AI, etc.)
Cons:
- Russian market ≠ global market (different pain points)
- Many communities are dead or low-quality
- May attract tire-kickers, not potential customers
- Language barrier limits global applicability
Best for: Initial concept validation, Russian market exploration
3. Daily.dev Personal Post
What: Post on daily.dev as Oleg (personal brand, 5.2K rep)
Reliability: ⭐⭐ (Medium-Low)
Cost: $0
Time: 3-5 days
Pros:
- Existing audience (5.2K reputation)
- Developer-focused platform
- Can test messaging
- Admin of 1.5K member squad
Cons:
- Personal brand risk if product is bad
- One-shot (can't spam product posts)
- Engagement may be passive (likes, not signups)
- Platform algorithm may limit reach
Best for: Awareness, traffic spike, testing headlines/positioning
4. Discord AI Tools Communities
What: Join Discord servers focused on AI coding tools (Claude, Cursor, etc.)
Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)
Cost: $0
Time: 1-2 weeks
Pros:
- Exact ICP: developers using AI tools
- Real conversations, not just reactions
- Can observe pain points before pitching
- Multiple communities to test
- Global audience
Cons:
- Need to build credibility first (can't just pitch)
- Time investment in community participation
- May get banned if too promotional
- Quality varies by community
Best for: ICP validation, pain point discovery, warm outreach
Recommended approach:
- Week 1: Join, observe, help others
- Week 2: Start mentioning Banatie when relevant
- Week 3+: Direct conversations with interested devs
5. jsjobs.ru Paid Interviews
What: Pay for interviews with Russian developers
Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High)
Cost: $50-100 (5-10 interviews × $10 each)
Time: 1 week
Pros:
- Structured interviews with real developers
- Payment ensures commitment
- Can screen for specific profile
- Get deep feedback (30-60 min each)
Cons:
- Cost (budget constraint)
- Russian market focus
- May attract interview-seekers, not product users
- Requires interview script preparation
Best for: Deep ICP validation, detailed feedback on specific features
6. Henry Warmup (Content Marketing)
What: Build Henry persona presence, then soft-pitch Banatie
Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)
Cost: $0
Time: 2-3 weeks minimum
Pros:
- Builds sustainable channel
- Attracts target audience organically
- No "spam" perception
- Can repurpose content across platforms
Cons:
- Slow (need multiple posts before credibility)
- Requires consistent content production
- Indirect feedback (traffic, not conversations)
- Henry persona needs maintenance
Best for: Long-term channel building, organic discovery
7. SEO Organic Traffic
What: Wait for organic search traffic to convert
Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High)
Cost: $0
Time: 1-3 months
Pros:
- Highest quality signal (people searching for solution)
- Sustainable and scalable
- No manual outreach needed
- Validates market demand definitively
Cons:
- Slowest approach
- Requires content + SEO investment upfront
- May not get enough volume for statistical significance
- Depends on keyword rankings
Best for: End-goal validation, sustainable acquisition
8. Product Hunt Launch
What: Launch on Product Hunt
Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐ (High for awareness)
Cost: $0
Time: 1 month+ preparation
Pros:
- High visibility spike
- Developer/tech audience
- Social proof from upvotes
- Press/blogger attention possible
Cons:
- One-shot (can't re-launch easily)
- Requires preparation (assets, hunters, timing)
- Vanity metrics (upvotes ≠ customers)
- Post-launch depression (traffic drops)
Best for: Awareness milestone, social proof, traffic spike
Decision Framework
Choose based on:
| Priority | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Speed | #1 Known Developer |
| Quality feedback | #5 jsjobs Paid |
| ICP accuracy | #4 Discord AI Tools |
| Sustainability | #7 SEO Organic |
| One-time boost | #8 Product Hunt |
| Balance | #4 Discord AI Tools |
Not Included (Considered but Rejected)
- Reddit cold posts — High ban risk, low reliability without reputation
- Twitter/X outreach — Requires follower base first
- LinkedIn cold messages — Low response rate, wrong audience vibe
- Email cold outreach — Spam perception, low conversion
- Paid ads — Premature for validation stage
Recommended Sequence
If Oleg wants structured approach:
- Week 1: #1 Known Developer (sanity check)
- Week 2-3: #4 Discord AI Tools (ICP discovery)
- Week 3-4: #6 Henry Warmup (start content)
- Month 2: #7 SEO Organic (wait for traffic)
- Month 3: #8 Product Hunt (if signals are positive)
But: Oleg decides. This is catalog, not prescription.
Document owner: @men
Last updated: January 9, 2026
Related docs:
- ROADMAP.md - Current phase and priorities
- 03-icp-research-questions.md - ICP definition