Build a solution demo

A solution demo is the smallest viable solution for testing, representing the core component of your offering. It's a Lean Startup technique designed to validate your solution with customers before full development, preventing investment in an unwanted product.

Avoid overly simplistic mock-ups like wireframes or sketches. For example, if building a website, create a website mock-up instead of just a Photoshop image to give customers a real sense of the solution.

While flashy demos can be effective for sales, they can complicate implementation. Ensure your mock-up is realistic and can be recreated in the final product. Avoid fancy transitions if they can't be reproduced.

Develop demos quickly using your own resources to facilitate rapid iterations based on feedback. Relying on external resources for complex mock-ups can slow down the feedback and development cycle.

If your solution addresses multiple problems, create separate mock-ups for each. For instance, a website allowing photo uploads and purchases requires two distinct mock-ups.

Instead of dummy text like 'lorem ipsum', use real-looking data. This helps in laying out the screen effectively and supports the solution's narrative, making the demo more tangible and understandable.