3.9 Early Traction Signals

As you iterate, watch for traction signals – signs that the market really wants your product. Early traction might be repeat usage (users coming back), referrals (users bringing in friends), or steadily rising active users. Andreessen notes that when PMF hits, “customers are buying the product just as fast as you can make it”. In other words, demand outpaces your supply.

Other positive signs include short sales cycles (customers decide quickly), unsolicited media attention, or rapid growth in key metrics. For example, Dropbox’s waiting list jumped from 5,000 to 75,000 simply from one video, showing huge demand. In a B2B context, landing a few high-profile clients early or getting rapid renewals can indicate product-market fit. Keep track of retention (how many users stay or renew) and engagement (how often they use it). A low churn rate and high Net Promoter Score (customers recommending you to others) are classic PMF indicators. These traction signals guide you on whether to scale up (raise funding, hire) or still refine your product.