5 Signals to Know if Your Startup Will Be Successful

Mar 12

Written By David Sinkinson

Welcome to the Dave vs. Startups.

After 4 failed products, I finally built one that worked.

The difference wasn't the idea or the market.

It was learning to spot real traction vs false hope.

Here are the 5 signals that showed my startup was actually working:

I built a B2B SaaS company from the ground up and sold it.

But before that happened, I chased multiple ideas that went nowhere.

The breakthrough came when I learned to spot real traction.

Let me share the signs.

Signal #1: People actually pay you.

Not "they're interested."

Not "great feedback."

Not "they'll buy soon."

But real money in the bank.

Signal #2: Customers became advocates.

They weren’t just using my product, they were helping me grow.

That’s also when I knew I was onto a winner.

Signal #3: Customers weren’t just interested, they NEEDED the problem solved.

When customers come to you and have a need to solve their problem, that’s when you’re onto something.

Signal #4: Service becomes a revenue driver.

Here's what usually happened:

Customers would call with an issue.

Our team would solve it fast and well.

Then they'd ask "What else do you sell?"

Signal #5: Customers use you as the benchmark.

When customers started referring others and saying 'I heard about you from [existing customer],'

I knew I had real traction.

But watch out for false signals like:

Lots of meetings (but no sales)
Great feedback (but no commitments)
People saying they'll buy (but never do)
Interest from investors (but no customers)

These feel good but don't pay bills.

90% of startups fail because founders confuse politeness for traction.

"That's interesting" ≠ "Here's my credit card"

"Let's meet again" ≠ "I'm ready to buy"

These will happen if you have real traction:

Sales feel easier
Customers sell for you
Growth becomes organic
Service drives revenue

Until then, keep testing and iterating.

Real traction isn't complicated.

Are people paying you?

Are they coming back?

Are they telling others?

Everything else is just startup theatre.

Thanks for reading!
Dave

David Sinkinson