Building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is all about speed— the good kind of speed.
In our experience working with clients from numerous industries, 16 weeks is enough to roll out a prototype.
It’s never perfect, but if it looks and performs well enough to get crucial user feedback, it’s good enough.
Here are five tips for startups to get their MVPs into users hands as fast as possible.
1. Start with a Landing Page MVP
A landing page MVP is the quickest way to validate your app idea before investing too much time and resources.
Create a simple landing page using no-code tools like:
What should you include on your landing page?
- A clear description of your product or service
- A value proposition that speaks directly to your audience’s needs
- Pricing options (if applicable)
- A waitlist form for potential customers
You should aim for a 2-5% conversion rate—for every 100 visitors, at least two should sign up.
If your landing page isn’t converting, revise it with the help of communities like the SaaS subreddit to get constructive feedback on your landing page.
And if it’s till not working?
Time to bin your idea—you just dodged a bullet!
If your landing page gets traction and a decent mailing list, time to move to the next tip and build a prototype!
2. Embrace No-Code App Building Tools
As a startup, no-code MVP development can save a significant amount of time.
Popular no-code platforms like FlutterFlow, Plasmic, and Zapier allow you to build powerful apps without writing a single line of code.
In fact, you can even integrate AI agents as part of your app offering with no code tools.
A lot of tech people are resistant to no-code, mostly because they think it’s too limited.
However, the truth is that no-code platforms can handle most MVP development needs, and they’re only getting more powerful.
3. Hire No-Code MVP Developers
If you’re not keen on learning no-code tools yourself, the next best option is to hire a no-code MVP developer.
These professionals can:
- Advise you on which no-code platform to use based on your app’s needs.
- Save you the time and effort of learning how to use a no code app builder.
However, when working with any developer, your main challenge is avoiding a crappy hire!
If you’re unfamiliar with hiring developers, certain no code app builders like Bubble have certified developer programs.
If you value security over being platform agnostic, hire through one of these programs to ensure you don’t hire scammers.
4. Focus on ONE Core Feature
It’s tempting to try and launch an MVP with all the bells and whistles.
But here’s the truth: MVPs don’t need to be perfect and overbuilding is one of the worst things for an app!
Your goal is to solve a specific problem for your target audience, and that should be your focus.
Choose one core feature that addresses the primary pain point of your audience.
Forget about the additional features for now.
If you have the time, you can always add them later.
5. Don’t Over-Automate
While automation is essential for scaling, your MVP doesn’t need to be fully automated.
In fact, manual processes can save you both time and money in the early stages.
For example, instead of automating order fulfillment or customer support, you can manually handle these tasks until your product is more refined.
Case in point: Zappos!
Zappos is now a multi-billion-dollar business.
20 years ago, the founder started by manually taking photos of shoes, posting them online, and personally fulfilling orders.
It’s proof that a manual process can be an effective way to test your MVP.
Recap: How to Build Your MVP Fast
If you want to launch your MVP as quickly as possible, follow these tips:
- Start with a landing page MVP and aim for 2-5% conversions.
- Learn to use no-code app builders or hire a no-code developer.
- Focus on one core feature for the initial launch.
- Don’t automate too much—keep it manual for now.
By following these steps, you can build your MVP quickly and efficiently, ensuring that you’re testing your app in the real market as soon as possible.
Bonus Tip
If your app idea has firmly established potential and demand, consider engaging a custom app agency. Developers can build an MVP just as well, but we can take it far beyond the limits of no code SaaS.
Either way, happy building!
If you’re looking to build a mobile application, check out our portfolio of past projects and contact us if you like what you see. Also, consider joining our mailing list for a one-stop resource on everything from micro-SaaS validation all the way to execution and promotion. Get a nifty list of questions to ask app developers when you sign up!
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