For non-startup type products (small niche softwares, affiliate websites, or to ensure easy SEO traffic), I do the following: - I list the frustrations I had i

For non-startup type products (small niche softwares, affiliate websites, or to ensure easy SEO traffic), I do the following: - I list the frustrations I had in the last two months - I list the list I like to do With that list, I head over to google keyword tool, and search for keywords related to what I found in step 1 that have more than 3000 searches per month and less than 30000 exact keyword pages in google (the 30 day challenge method: http://thirtydaychallenge.com http://thirtydaychallenge.com) I keep brainstorming until I find a list of keywords that are in demand but have low competition (When you are a one man show, you'd rather focus on a non-too-competitive niche). Then I use Market Samourai to check the competition on the first 10 pages of Google to ensure I will be able to rank my website high in Google on my keywords. Next, I put up a website a la Tim Ferriss to test the market a little bit more. This method only adds value if the test tells you you have a profitable product. If you can't prove it during the test, it doesn't mean you should stop. In parallel, I "talk" (surveys, interviews, forums) to as many potential customers as I can. If I feel I am to something, I start coding :) I wrote about this very topic on my blog. I published my frustrations there: http://aymeric.gaurat.net/index.php/2010/my-frustrations/ http://aymeric.gaurat.net/index.php/2010/my-frustrations/ How to test the viability of your idea: http://aymeric.gaurat.net/index.php/2010/how-to-test-the-viability-of-your-online-business-idea/ http://aymeric.gaurat.net/index.php/2010/how-to-test-the-via...