No budget? No lab? No problem. Here are 3 powerful UX research methods that solo founders and small teams can use today.

The Myth of Big UX Research

Many small teams believe UX research is out of reach.

They think they need a lab, a full-time researcher, or fancy tools. But I’ve worked with solo founders and part-time designers who got deep, actionable insights using nothing more than Zoom and sticky notes.

Here’s how:

Hack #1: Record Everything

Record your usability sessions (with permission, of course). Watching replays reveals patterns and moments you’ll miss live — especially if you’re taking notes.

Tools: Loom, Zoom, or even your phone screen recorder.

Hack #2: Ask Users to “Think Out Loud”

When someone clicks around silently, you get a limited view. But when you prompt them to narrate their thoughts — “What are you expecting here?” or “Why did you hesitate?” — you access gold.

This simple technique consistently uncovers hidden friction points.

Hack #3: Use Free or Cheap Tools

You don’t need a $3,000 usability suite. Here are tools I’ve seen small teams use effectively:

Maze – for unmoderated tests
Lookback – for moderated sessions
Google Forms – for fast user feedback

The tools don’t matter as much as the mindset: listen, observe, adapt.

Final Thought

You don’t need big budgets to do big research.
You just need the curiosity to ask, the discipline to watch, and the openness to learn from your users.

Want to run scrappy, smart UX research? Let’s talk.