Embarking on a business venture is thrilling until you encounter the daunting question: “Will anyone actually pay for this?”
Take, for example, that you want to start a business that deals with healthy meal-prep delivery service in the UK.
On paper, it sounds great because people are busy, they want to eat well, and they would love to pay for their convenience, but before you start spending money on branding, apps, or delivery vans, you need to know:
* Who exactly is your customer?
* What are they most concerned about?
* How are your competitors already serving (or failing) these customers?
Doing all this research is called market research, and I am guessing you may be thinking market research is all about putting up images of thick reports and is extremely boring, but ChatGPT has made it simple, affordable, and even fun.
Here’s how you can use this AI tool to take your business idea from a wild guess to a winning business.
Also, you need to check out this article titled ‘How to use AI tools for Startups without breaking the Bank’.
Step 1: Define Your Audience
When asking ChatGPT questions, don’t just ask unclear questions like “busy people in London” when it can help you paint a sharper picture.
If your prompts are short and unclear, then its response will be short and not detailed too.
Instead, provide a more specific prompt, such as:
Prompt
Who are the top three customer groups most likely to buy ? Give me demographics, behaviours,
It’ll tell you about their lifestyle, pain points (no time to cook, tired of unhealthy takeaways), and even what social media platforms they hang out on. Now you know exactly who you’re serving and have more details about your customers.
Step 2: Spot the Gaps
The market already has options like HelloFresh, Mindful Chef, and Gousto, and so another research you should carry out is why your brand should be chosen out of all these brands.
The outstanding part is that ChatGPT can help you figure out what’s missing by using this prompt.
Prompt
List 5 untapped opportunities or gaps in the [industry] market that a new business could solve in 2025.”
For example, if you ask ChatGPT, “What unmet needs exist in the UK meal-prep industry?”
It may highlight affordable plans for students, plant-based or cultural menu options, and flexible deliveries for shift workers.
This is where your unique angle comes from because, as an entrepreneur, you should be trying to solve problems that other entrepreneurs have ignored.
Step 3: Learn from Competitors
Getting reviews that customers have said about your competitor’s brand is a goldmine. This is because people tell you exactly what they love and hate.
The moment you notice patterns, such as excessive packaging, incorrect portion proportions, or poor customer service, That’s your chance to build a business that avoids these pitfalls.
In fact, you can use a prompt like this
Prompt
What are the biggest frustrations people currently have with [industry/product type]?”
Step 4: Test Your Messaging
Before you spend £1,000 on advertisements, see what kind of message resonates with your customers. Show them to a few potential customers and study their responses.
Which one of the prompts made them laugh, nod, ignore, or even say, “I’d try that”? That is your winning voice and a way to know what your customers like and what they don’t like.
Prompt
Summarise the strengths and weaknesses of [competitor name] based on customer reviews and online feedback.”
For example, for my healthy meal-prep business, I can instruct ChatGPT to “Write three Instagram captions for a healthy meal-prep service for busy professionals in Manchester. One of them should be funny, one inspirational, and one practical.”
Step 5: Build Better Surveys
Eventually, you’ll need real-world information, and ChatGPT can help create smarter surveys to get it. Take, for example, I use this prompt for ChatGPT
Prompt
Write 10 survey or interview questions that would reveal why someone in (location) would (or wouldn’t) buy .”
The research ChatGPT would have carried out won’t just ask, “Would you buy this?” but instead it will uncover real motivations like time, health goals, and price sensitivity that will influence your strategy.
Why Do I Need ChatGPT to Carry Out Market Research?
Market research used to feel expensive, slow, and reserved for big corporations, but with ChatGPT, you can walk in with curiosity and walk out with insights that would’ve cost thousands a decade ago.
It doesn’t mean you skip talking to real people, but it gives you clarity, confidence, and direction for your business.
Also read: Top 5 AI Tools for Digital Marketing in 2025
