Which type of MVP best suits your startup?

Oct 11, 2024 5 min read 297
Vasyl Kuchma Managing Partner
Which type of MVP best suits your startup?

Having a new business is exciting, but also has challenges. One way to minimize these is by using a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). An MVP is the first version of your product that customers can use. This lets them test the core features and give feedback. It proves your assumptions before full-scale development. Choosing the right MVP type is crucial. It depends on your product idea, target market, and resources. This article explores different MVPs - from low-fidelity to high-fidelity models. It will show which one is best for your startup.

What Is an MVP?

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of a product that can still be used. It has the core features that customers need. MVP helps you get feedback quickly and improve your product. This way, you don't waste time creating features no one wants. Instead, you start with the basics and add more features as you learn what customers like. An MVP lets you test your idea with real users. This helps you decide what to build next. The goal is to launch quickly, get feedback, and keep improving your product over time.

Is it fair to say you don't fully understand what an MVP is and why it's important for your startup? Let's start with a discussion on MVP and its role for startups. The idea behind MVP is to create a product with the basic features needed to solve a problem for your target market. With an MVP, you launch quickly. You may fail fast or succeed. If you get it right, listen to users and decide what to adjust, correct or enhance.

There are two main types of MVPs. They are low-fidelity and high-fidelity MVPs.

Low-fidelity MVPs are early versions of a product. They have basic features. These versions help test ideas quickly. They show if the product will work before making the final version. Companies can get feedback and make changes. This saves time and money. Low-fidelity MVPs let you see if the product is a good idea.

Low-fidelity MVPs

These products are basic and inexpensive to make. They can be created quickly. These MVPs are not fully developed. They just show the main features of the product. This is done through simple methods or light technology. Low-fidelity MVPs are for young startups just starting out. Their goal is to see if people like the product idea. This lets startups avoid spending too much on development.

  • Why use it? It helps you see if people might be interested in your service or product. This can be useful if you're not sure if there is a demand for what you offer.
  • How long does it take to build? The landing page can guide users with no-code or low code tools. The total creation time is limited to 2-6 days.
  • Do you need a team of developers? No, you don't have to use professional developers to make your landing page. Platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Webflow allow you to create a landing page for your business.

Low-cost MVPs are good for startups in early stages. If you want to test if people want your product or service quickly and cheaply, a low-cost MVP is perfect. No-code or low-code tools that don't need coding can make these MVPs. With a low-cost MVP, you can get input early on and decide if you should keep developing the product.

High-Fidelity MVPs

Building a high-fidelity MVP is a good idea. This means creating a prototype that closely matches the final product. This shows customers the full features. It lets you get real feedback. You can use this feedback to improve the product. This helps you build the right thing from the start.

High-Fidelity MVPs are more advanced and costly than basic single-level MVPs. These MVPs aim to deliver a polished product that can be used by more people. High-fidelity MVPs cost more and take more time to develop, but they give users a more complete experience. This makes them ideal for startups that are closer to finding the right product for the market.

A single-feature MVP focuses on just one key feature. This makes the initial product very simple. You can then get feedback and improve it over time. A Single-Feature MVP focuses on just one main function. This highlights the product's unique value. By focusing on one feature, you can ensure its quality. This makes it attractive to early adopters. Too many features may scare them off.

  • Why use a High-fidelity MVP? This type of MVP helps you show users your unique selling point. It attracts them to your product without building the full product. This lets you test your idea before creating the entire product.
  • How long does it take to build? The time needed depends on the feature's complexity. It could take 2 to 4 months to develop a basic version with just one key feature.
  • Do you need a group to build your product? Yes, a professional team is often required to develop an MVP. This will showcase the main features of your product in the best way.

Choosing the Right MVP for Your Startup

A minimum viable product (MVP) is the first version of your product. It has basic features to solve a problem. An MVP helps you learn what customers want. It lets you improve the product based on customer feedback. Choosing the right MVP is important. It can make or break your startup. Here are some tips:

  1. Focus on core features

Identify the main problem your product solves. Include only essential features in the MVP.

  1. Keep it simple

Avoid complex designs or features. The MVP should be easy to use and understand.

  1. Get customer feedback

Launch the MVP and collect feedback. Use it to make the product better.

  1. Be flexible

Don't get attached to the initial MVP. Be open to changing it based on customer needs.

  1. Start small

The first MVP doesn't need to have all the bells and whistles. Just focus on solving the core problem. Choosing the right MVP is crucial for a successful startup. It helps you validate your idea and improve the product quickly.

Test your MVP in parts

A Piecemeal MVP means making "mini-MVP" pieces. Each piece represents a different part of the product. They are all connected. You don't launch everything at once. Instead, you launch each feature separately. This lets you test and approve it with users before moving to the next. This approach allows for gradual development. It also gives you a way to change the product based on customer feedback.

If you have a product with many features, a piecemeal MVP can help test it. You don't need to include all the features. Just test one part at a time. This makes it easier to edit and grow the product. 

If you want to reduce business risk and increase success, creating an MVP may be the best. The question is not low or high-fidelity MVPs. The idea is to launch early, get feedback, and improve based on user input. The type of MVP that suits your startup will help confirm your idea, attract initial users, and achieve product-market fit.

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Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Startup Development MVP Types

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