Launching a startup is no small feat. Founders face countless challenges on the road to success between finding a unique idea, securing funding, and building a team. One crucial step in this process is Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development.
In this guide, we'll explain what an MVP is, why MVP development is essential, and how to build an MVP in a step-by-step fashion.
What is an MVP?
An MVP is a version of your product that includes only the core features and functionality necessary to meet the needs of your preferred audience. An MVP aims to test your idea and validate its potential while minimizing your time and resource investments.
By building an MVP, you can gather crucial feedback and data from early adopters to inform further product development and help you refine your strategy.
MVP Development: The Origin Story
The concept of MVP development was first introduced in 2001 by Frank Robinson, the founder of SyncDev. He used the term MVP to describe the process of building a product with just enough features to gather feedback from early users.
According to Robinson, the goal of MVP development was to validate a product idea with minimal effort and to avoid wasting time and resources building something that nobody wants.
This idea caught on quickly and was further popularized by Eric Ries, the founder of Lean Methodology. From his point of view, building an MVP is the best way to gather essential knowledge of the target user demographics while putting in the least effort.
MVP development has since become the most popular approach to product development. Some of the world's biggest unicorns, including Figma, Dropbox, Uber, and Slack, used MVPs to test new ideas and features.
Why is MVP Development Important for Startups?
One of the biggest challenges facing startups is uncertainty. Yes, you may have a great idea, but until you put it in front of your preferred audience, it is impossible to know whether it will resonate with them.
This is where an MVP comes in.
By building a light version of your product that includes only the core features and functionality, you can test the waters and gauge interest before investing significant resources in product development.
Another important reason founders create an MVP version of their product is that it represents a faster and less expensive way to market.
Even more importantly, you can attract early adopters and achieve market product fit during the MVP development process. Perhaps the best thing about building an MVP is that the steps involved in this process are the most fundamental pillars of achieving significant product market fit.
Attaining that achievement with a lighter version of your product would be amazing. For many founders, the MVP development process is the icing on the cake while finding product market-fit is the real goal.
However, building a light version of your intended product is not an invitation to be mediocre. An ideal MVP must be strong enough to attract investors and also serve as a reliable source of feedback for further development and iteration of the product.
What do the Stats Say?
- 90% of startups fail within the first three years, while 10% never make it past the first year.
- 34% of startups fail due to failure to find proper product market fit.
- 29% of startups fail when they run out of cash.
- When startups scale properly, they experience 20 times more growth than startups that scale prematurely.
These stats may not explicitly be about MVP software development, but they could be the solution. MVP development could help startups operate leaner, thus saving money and reducing the risk of burnout.
Also, if you build an MVP version of your product, you may take time to scale instead of rushing in headlong and crashing midway into the journey.
The cost of rushing headlong into software development projects and losing everything in a couple of years is far greater than spending some time building minimum viable products.
However, those aren't the only reasons you and your development team should create a Minimum Viable Product. Consider the following points as well:
- An MVP offers a definite starting point for discussions and reference, whether with investors or your internal team.
- The months spent refining your product idea cannot be overstated in the overall scheme. When the building process eventually begins, that period can be looked back on as a launching pad for building an incredible product.
The summary of everything you've read so far is that the idea behind the MVP development process is divided into three broad goals.
- The Business and Marketing Angle: The customer behavior and other parameters of data gathered from the process can be used to streamline the company's marketing efforts. The approach, advertising channels, and content creation can be based on a goldmine of data extracted in real time and from real insights.
- Product Development and Iteration: Similar to an incubation period, the time spent developing an MVP will be of immense value to the company. Access to real-time insights and data points will provide your team with the material to consistently develop the product to near perfection.
- Save Costs, Start Lean and Scale: You can avoid the death traps many founders have fallen into if you resist the urge to build that big idea almost immediately. Creating an MVP will give you direct access to invaluable data, but it also helps you streamline your spending into building only the most important features.
Ultimately, applying the lean startup methodology and taking the time needed to scale healthily will prove invaluable to your startup in the long run.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your MVP
If you want to avoid the road taken by some founders in the past, which has proven to be a grave site for great business ideas and products, then your best bet is to create an MVP.
There is really no need to rush into coding the next big business idea, no matter how good it sounds in your head.
Flesh out your story and discover what makes the idea or version unique. What value will your product offer? What problem will it solve?
Now that we've covered the introductory part of MVP development, it's time to dive into the main question: how to build an MVP.
We've carefully put this article together to take you by the hand and guide you step-by-step from the start of your MVP software development journey until you're safely over the line.
STEP 1:
Understand the MVP Development Process
The first step in building an MVP is understanding the development process. This typically involves several stages, such as idea generation, market research, feature selection, and development.
By breaking the process down into smaller steps, you can ensure that you're progressing toward creating your MVP in a logical and organized fashion.
Without proper understanding of what MVP development entails, it may be difficult to see the process through or achieve the goals laid out at the start.
STEP 2:
Identify Your Target Audience
The success of your Minimum Viable Product largely depends on this step. How well do you understand your preferred user base? Who are they? What are their interests and needs? What are their pain points, and how can your product solve their problems?
For example, if your target demographic is populated by young people around 18-25, then you must find out everything you can about that group to know how your product can help them.
The more you understand your audience, the better you can tailor your MVP development to meet their needs. So, how do you identify them?
Start by doing some thorough market research. Look at demographics such as age, gender, location, and income. Determine what motivates them and what they value in a product. Conduct surveys, focus groups, and interviews to gather data and insights directly from your potential customers.
Also do an extensive competitor research. Your biggest competition are most likely targeting the same audience. So, one cheap trick to knowing and understanding your audience is by studying that of your competition.
Remember, identifying your target audience is critical in building a successful MVP. By taking the time to understand your customers and their market demand, you can create a product that meets their needs and sets you apart from the competition.
STEP 3:
Define MVP Features and Functionality
Now that you have a clear understanding of your audience, it's time to define the features and functionality of your MVP. This is a critical step in building a product that meets your customers' needs while being unique and innovative.
Brainstorm
Start by brainstorming all the possible features you could include in your MVP. Then, prioritize them based on what is most important to your preferred audience. Remember, your MVP should be focused and streamlined, so only include the basic features in the user interface for your customers to use and experience the value of your product.
Define
Once you have a list of prioritized features, it's time to define the functionality of your Minimum Viable Product. This involves determining how each feature will work and how it will fit into the overall user experience.
Remember that your MVP should be easy to use and intuitive for your users.
As you define the features and functionality of your MVP, always keep your preferred audience in mind. Consider how each feature will benefit them and how it aligns with their needs and preferences. This will ensure that you build a product your target audience will love and want to use.
Also, by focusing on the core value proposition of your product, you can keep your MVP lean and focused.
Step 4:
Build Your MVP
It's now time to roll up your sleeves and start building. But before you begin, it's important to consider your approach to MVP development.
There are several approaches you can take, each with its own pros and cons. For example, you could use no-code platforms to create an MVP without coding skills.
Alternatively, you could outsource development to a third-party vendor or build in-house using your own team.
To know which is best suited for your MVP development needs, you'll have to compare the pros and cons of all three options— in-house vs. third-party vs. no-code platforms.
Regardless of your chosen approach, focusing on rapid iteration and testing is important. The goal is to get your MVP into the hands of your users as quickly as possible, so you can gather user stories and make improvements.
This approach allows you to refine your MVP based on real-world user stories, which is critical for building a product that people will want to use.
Remember to focus on your defined features and functionality as you build your MVP. Don't get distracted by adding unnecessary features or functionality that don't align with your target audience's needs and preferences.
Keep it simple and streamlined to ensure your MVP delivers the most value to your customers.
Step 5:
Test and Validate Your MVP
You've built your MVP, but your work isn't done yet. The next step is to test and validate your product to ensure it meets the needs of your target audience.
This involves gathering stories and data from your users, which can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your strategy.
There are several strategies you can use to test and validate your MVP. One of the most effective methods is user interviews, where you ask your preferred user demographics to use your product and provide feedback on their experience.
This can help you understand how your product meets their needs and where improvements can be made.
Another strategy is surveys, which can help you gather quantitative data on your MVP's performance. This can be particularly useful for measuring user satisfaction, engagement, and retention metrics.
Finally, A/B testing can help you evaluate different versions of your MVP development and identify the most effective features and functionality. By testing several variations of your product, you can optimize it for the best possible user experience.
Remember, testing and validation goals are to identify areas that require improvements and refine your strategy. As you collect data via these testing strategies, continue to make iterative improvements to your MVP until you're confident that it meets the needs of your target market.
Step 6:
Launch and Iterate Your MVP
Launching your MVP software is an exciting moment, but it's important to not get carried away. Remember, the product development process is never truly finished. Keep a close eye on user feedback and metrics like engagement and retention.
Use this information to identify areas for improvement and refine your strategy. This might involve adding new features or MVP functionality, improving existing ones, or tweaking your marketing strategy to reach a wider audience.
The key is to stay agile and responsive to user feedback. Using an iterative approach, you can continue refining your MVP app and improving its chances of success.
Tips To Target The Right Market While Building An MVP
Launching a minimum viable product for the wrong market is like selling a sunscreen lotion in the Arctic. Who would do something as potentially unrewarding as that? The same applies to any business looking to build an MVP.
Even if the product or service is top-notch, it will not succeed unless the business can identify and connect with the ideal target market.
As a startup founder, you have a brilliant business idea for a new software or app, but how do you know if your idea will resonate with the market? The key to success lies in targeting the right audience. Let's say you're developing an MVP for a fitness app, and you’re confident it'll take the market by storm.
Here are some tips to help you target the right market while building your MVP:
- Firstly, generating ideas for your product and validating them through market research is crucial. This will help you identify your target demographics and their needs. Perhaps you've identified that people in colder regions are less likely to exercise outdoors, and you've decided to build an MVP for a fitness app tailored to this demographic.
- Now that you've identified your audience, it's time to analyze the competition. Look for other fitness apps targeting a similar audience. What features do they offer? How can your app differentiate itself? For example, your app may offer personalized workout recommendations based on a user's location and weather conditions.
- It is also important to segment your customer base geographically. This means breaking down your preferred audience into specific regions and tailoring your marketing strategy to each region's needs and preferences. In our example, you could target colder regions such as Alaska and Canada and highlight how your app can help users stay fit even in inclement weather.
Whether your business idea is launching a sunscreen in the Arctic or an air conditioner in Antarctica, remember that finding your target demographic is the other half of the equation. It's crucial to ensure that your MVP has a clear audience and a market ready and willing to embrace it.
With these tips in mind, you and your development team are one step closer to creating an MVP that resonates with your target audience and impacts the market.
How To Measure Success After Building Your MVP
As the saying goes, "You can't manage what you can't measure." This also applies to building an MVP. Measuring the success of your MVP development after launch is crucial to ensure that it meets its target audience's needs and drives business growth.
According to research, 42% of startups fail due to lacking market need. You can avoid this fate by tracking the right metrics and building a successful MVP that resonates with your audience. Here are some success criteria you can track after your MVP launch.
Word of Mouth
One of the most reliable ways to measure the success after MVP launch is through word of mouth. This means keeping an ear to the ground and listening to what people say about your product. Positive feedback from users can go a long way in driving growth and increasing adoption.
User Engagement
Engagement is another important metric to keep track of. By monitoring user engagement, you can determine how often people use your product and whether or not they find it valuable.
Sign-Up
Sign-up is also a key metric for measuring the success of your MVP. This metric will tell you how many people are signing up for your product and can help you identify areas where you need to improve.
User Feedback
Another essential metric to track is client appraisals based on feedback. By listening to feedback from your users, you can identify areas for improvement and refine your product to meet their needs better.
Active Users
The percentage of active users is a valuable metric that can help you gauge how many people use your product regularly. This metric can be beneficial for identifying areas where you may need to improve your product to increase adoption.
Client Acquisition Cost
Client acquisition cost (CAC) is an important metric to track when measuring the success of your MVP. This metric will tell you how much it costs to acquire new users and can help you determine whether or not your marketing strategy is effective.
Paying Users
The number of paying users is another key metric to track. This metric will tell you how many people are paying for your product and also help you determine whether or not your product is priced appropriately.
Client Lifetime Value
Client lifetime value (CLV) is a useful metric for measuring the long-term success of your MVP. This metric will tell you how much revenue you can expect to generate from a single user for their lifetime.
Churn Rate
Finally, the churn rate is an important metric to track. The churn rate refers to the number of users who stop using your product over time. By tracking the churn rate, you can identify areas where you need to improve your product to retain more users.
Conclusion
Building an MVP is a critical step in the startup development process. By focusing on your product's core features and functionality, testing and validating with your preferred audience, and iterating based on feedback, you can minimize your risk and investment while maximizing your chances of success.
Follow this article's step-by-step guide to build your MVP and take your startup to the next level. Remember to keep your MVP lean and focused. Also, iterate based on feedback from your target user base. With the right approach and mindset, you can build a successful MVP and turn your startup dreams into reality. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Include?
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) should include only the core features that are essential to the product's functionality. These features should be enough to solve the user's problem and create value for them. It should be a working product that potential customers can test and validate.
The focus should be on developing a functional, usable, and valuable product rather than adding extra features that may not be necessary.
How Do I Prepare For An MVP For My Product?
Before preparing for an MVP, you must identify your target market, its needs, and the problem your product is trying to solve. You should also research your competitors and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
Once you clearly understand your audience and the problem you are trying to solve, you can start defining the core features essential to your product's functionality. You should also set a clear goal for your MVP software development process and create a roadmap that outlines the process.
What Is The Difference Between A Prototype And A Minimum Viable Product?
A prototype is a basic mock-up or model of a product used to test and validate the product’s design and functionality. It is usually not a working product and does not have all the features of the final product.
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP), on the other hand, is a working product that is designed to solve a specific problem and create value for the user. It is a model of software development that includes only the core features essential to the product's functionality and can be tested and validated by potential customers.
How Long Should It Take To Build An MVP?
The time it takes to build an MVP depends on various factors, such as the product's complexity, the development team's size, and the resources available. However, as the name suggests, an MVP should be built quickly to test and validate the product idea.
Ideally, it should take no more than a few months to build an MVP, but the development process can be accelerated by using agile development methodologies and rapid prototyping techniques.
What is an MVP framework?
An MVP framework is a structured approach to building a Minimum Viable Product. It provides a step-by-step process for identifying the core features of a product, designing a prototype, testing the product with potential customers, and iterating based on feedback.
An MVP framework helps entrepreneurs and product managers focus on a product's essential features, prioritize development efforts and resources, and reduce the time and cost of the software development process.
Several MVP frameworks are available, such as Lean Startup, Design Thinking, and Agile Development, each with its methodologies and tools.