Before testing, record the target customer, problem, current alternative, purchase trigger, willingness to pay, sales channel, price, variable costs and expected repeat purchase as testable assumptions. For each assumption, define a metric and a threshold for continuing, adapting or stopping in advance. Test participants should come from the actual target segment, not just from your personal network; document the region, language, recruitment method and usage context. Past behavior and previous spending are more informative than general opinions about a proposed idea. For consumers, the process can move from problem interviews to concept and price tests, then to an offer page, a manually delivered test service and finally a paid purchase. An MVP, or minimum viable version of the offering, should test only the key assumptions about value and willingness to pay. Pre-orders or refundable deposits require transparent terms and a realistic ability to deliver. For business customers, assess users, purchasing decision-makers, budget holders, approval timelines, and integration and regulatory requirements separately; a demonstration can be followed by a pilot, a paid pilot and then a contract. A letter of intent remains a weak signal if it does not specify the price, scope, timing or responsible decision-maker. For public-sector customers, past awards in the Unified Electronic Procurement System can be analyzed by procurement subject, contracting authority, region, estimated value, bid, winner, contract value and frequency; past tenders do not guarantee a future contract. Since September 15, 2025, the Market Research Module of Georgia’s procurement platform has provided additional indications of sought-after suppliers and service characteristics. Demand test metrics include qualified reach, contact rate, purchase rate, customer acquisition cost, contribution margin per customer, usage, repeat purchases, cancellations, refunds and complaints. For business customers, also track the sales cycle, probability of closing, implementation costs, as well as customer churn and expansion of existing contracts. Where possible, test the message, channel and price separately; seasonality, tourism, holidays, exchange rates and region can affect the results. A small sample is useful as a learning signal, but not as a reliable estimate of the total market share.
Demand testing for a business idea and starting a business in Georgia
A demand test in Georgia uses real target customers to determine whether a specific problem, an offering and a price actually lead to use or purchase. Paid tests and binding pilot orders provide stronger evidence than positive comments, sign-ups or non-binding expressions of interest.
Tip
A demand test is meaningful only when the target segment, assumptions, metrics and decision thresholds are defined in advance. Actual payments and binding pilot orders carry more weight than praise, sign-ups or incomplete letters of intent. Small samples provide learning signals, but not a reliable estimate of total market share.

