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Comment by john_flintstone | Hacker News Reader

This doesn't impress me. You get far better and more accurate results from running a Google ad campaign on a mocked up landing page than a survey would deliver.

An ad campaign gives you far more: number of impressions, click through rate, cost per click, key words and phrases potential customers actually use, etc. When it comes to surveys, people lie all the time (Would you hire someone from ethnic minority X? Answer: Of course, some of my best friends are...). People lie all the time, their Google search activity doesn't lie.

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This is exactly what I do. Knock up a landing page, and stick up an Adwords campaign.

Its a great way to find and engage some initial customers, who will be able to help you shape your product as it develops. Also gives you a great idea on how much it will cost you to acquire customers, and gets you a web presence nice and early.

Oh- and I always talk to my other half about it- she's a complete non-techy so always has a different angle on things, which can be really useful.

I've written out the details steps I use here: http://blog.crispyfriedsoftware.com/post/19774815792/6-steps...

Landing pages may capture email addresses and gauge some level of interest. However they don't properly validate your offering.

Ash Maurya (lean cannas) writes about landing pages but also the importance of doing your market research.

Http://www.ashmaurya.com/

Yes, I agree-its a good first step, but it isn't sufficient on its own. Also not applicable to some products/services.

What bothers me about it is the claim "the one thing every entrepreneur should do". That's ridiculous hyperbole. To be accurate it should say "one more addition to your massive tool belt of lean startup methodologies". I could see some instances where this type of tool could be useful, but on the other hand maybe sitting down with one potential customer for 20 mins in a coffee shop could give you more insightful information.

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