When do most customers start looking for a product or service as part of the first step in the consumer decision-making process?

Most customers start looking for a product or service as part of the first step in the consumer decision-making process when they recognize a need or a problem. This initial step is called problem recognition, and it occurs when individuals realize that there is a discrepancy between their current state and their desired state. Consequently, they feel the need to find a solution and begin actively searching for products or services that can fulfill that need or solve their problem.