Concept testing is an essential step in product branding and development. It aids in getting opinions and reactions from users before launching the final product. However, some companies ignore this aspect, leading to significant issues.

Apart from that, others embrace concept testing but make mistakes that ruin the brand’s reputation. This article will walk through the idea of concept testing and the mistakes that can cause adverse effects on your brand.

What is Concept Testing?

Concept testing is an effective method brands use to check on a brand’s impact on consumers. Here, they gather consumer insights by designing a concept testing survey; then, consumers answer the questions.

Also, the company tracks appeal, differentiation, usability, brand fit, and purchase intent. At a later stage, it can lead to costly rework or even the abandonment of a helpful concept.

With that in mind, it’s clear that you now understand what concept testing is all about. Therefore, it is wise to understand the common concept testing mistakes that can pose a risk to your brand.

Avoiding Defining a Clear Objective

Topping the list of common concept testing mistakes is not defining clear objectives. Typically, establishing clear goals and the criteria for evaluation is key before testing the concept.

This can lead to incorrect results and reiterate the brand’s goals. Also, unclear objectives may yield concepts that don’t match your target audience or align with your brand identity.

Testing Many Variations

Testing many variations is the root cause of concept testing failure. Trying many ideas at once might be tempting, but they might need to be clarified for the users and cause an invalid test. You can test two options, thus getting the correct feedback.

Testing a Small Audience

Another common concept testing mistake is testing with too small an audience. Testing concepts with less audience will yield accurate feedback and insights.

Also, a small audience will move the design in a direction other than the targeted market. Therefore, an extensive list of responses is essential to enhance the comparison.

Testing Too Late

Another mistake that companies make is testing too late. This comes down to testing concepts too late in the development process. Furthermore, doing it later is costly and can make you leave out or drop a helpful idea.

In a real sense, concept testing is applicable early in the product development stage to get the right insights and make informed decisions, saving time and resources.

Asking General Questions

Before conducting a concept test, it’s clear that you already have questions. These questions will help you get the proper insight. For this reason, they need to be precise. But what if a company decides to ask general questions?

Well, this is against the rules. The questions should be straightforward, but they should have specificity. Similarly, participants should give answers to specific questions.

Still, on this, you need to avoid asking leading questions. So, ensure that the person who creates them is not biased towards the product. Lastly, ensure that you ask enough questions.

Over-Reliance on Qualitative Data

Quantitative data provides valuable insights, but it has disadvantages. Here, concepts often involve numbers.

For better results, you can embrace qualitative data, such as open-ended responses and feedback from potential customers, which will help respondents express themselves fully.

Targeting the Wrong Audience 

The majority of new products are primarily for a targeted audience. Testing concepts with the wrong audience has adverse effects.

For quality feedback, a business has to use a representative sample of its target audience. This comes down to various aspects, such as demographics. Demographics aid in screening the respondent to get the best fit.

Testing with the wrong demographic or failing to consider specific segments can lead to skewed results. Therefore, look for participants who match your target customer profile to get the correct insights.

Ignoring Negative Feedback or Criticisms

Concept testing aids in getting the correct feedback so you cannot make mistakes on the final product. At the same time, you may significantly dismiss negative feedback or criticisms of your concept if you’ve hugely invested in its development.

However, it might block the path to improvement. Typically, negative feedback provides valuable insights, and addressing it will increase the chances of success.

The Final Word

Concept testing is a critical step in the product development process. It is also a perfect tool for designers and marketers. However, avoiding common mistakes will give you excellent customer feedback before it hits the market.

You can build a strong brand identity by defining clear objectives, targeting the right audience, balancing quantitative and qualitative data, and embracing negative feedback.