How to build an MVP as a non-tech founder

You don’t need to be a tech-savvy founder of a startup to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Sometimes a business idea is more than enough when it comes to a software product. Whether you are building a mobile or web product, as long as you have a clear idea of the core functionality, you are on the right track.

Although building an MVP does not require technical expertise, it does demand that some aspects of the product idea are considered. In this post we discuss some of the things that any tech founder should take into consideration to build an MVP that is strategically built for the long-term success of your business.

Minimum Viable Product Development

When it comes to creating a digital product, there is a lot to know, and even if you are a tech expert, you will probably never get your head around every little detail. Even an experienced development team eventually meets a bump in the road.

Software development can be a complex task. That is why, for startups, it is best to play it safe and build a Minimum Viable Product instead of a product that is too ambitious. By doing this, many risks can be avoided.

A Minimum Viable Product is an early version of a digital product. It can be a prototype of a website or a mobile application, for example. An MVP contains the key features that help your target users perform a specific task in order to solve a problem.

Any strong MVP should have a clear value proposition. This allows startups to test their idea while at the same time delivering a solution to a problem.

Why an MVP?

Companies that want to build complex software products way too early usually end up struggling to hit the market, deliver something that works, and even worse, they end up having a really bad time when it comes to maintaining it. Product development is both an art and a science.

An MVP helps deliver a good enough product that works and can easily improve once it is tested. To avoid the pitfalls of MVP development, there are a number of things that startups can do. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Aspects to Consider When Creating an MVP

Ideally, you should consider working with an experienced software development company to build an MVP. However, this is not always a possibility. Many companies do not have the necessary resources to do so.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to deliver a successful MVP. To develop an MVP that fits your company’s strategic goals, make sure to consider the following:

Validate Your Idea

Idea validation, sometimes known as Ideation, is a key step in the process of building your MVP. During this MVP stage, you refine your idea, make sure it is ready for development, and address its weak points. This will help you to clearly define your target users and perform a competitor analysis, among other things. By doing this, you can be sure that your idea has been fully discussed before moving to the next step.

User Acquisition

Although you first want to make sure that your digital product is up and running properly, you also want to think about how to win users. Understand your target market and what they want from your product. Most importantly, understand what you offer that competitors don’t.

Test, Test, and Test Some More

During the testing stage of the development process you will look for bugs and potential security issues. Quality Assurance is an important part of any development project, as it helps solve potential problems before your users do. A product that is deemed as being poorly built will most likely end up being discarded, damaging your brand irreversibly. Make sure to work with qualified quality assurance engineers.

User Feedback

Even the most professional MVP development process falls short if it does not take into account what end users think of your product. Even before you hit the market, make sure to have a clear idea of how you will gather feedback and how you will implement it. Having a clear feedback process in your development strategy can help your product improve through every new iteration.

Be Ready to Iterate

Most startups tend to think that their product is ready once it hits the market. The reality is that this is only where the real development stage begins. No plan can hit the ground running and avoid rethinking even some of its most basic premises. The same happens with digital products. Be prepared to iterate and don’t let this demotivate you, even if it means rethinking your target audience. Building on top of what works is the only way to deliver your users a world-class product.

Wrapping It Up

If there is one thing that startup founders need to understand for a successful MVP product development, it is the fact that there is no single correct MVP approach. Make sure to consider the suggestions mentioned above and you will be on your way to building a powerful MVP that can easily be improved.