January 15, 2025
Blog
A Complete Guide to Understand a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Dilan had an idea for an app that could help roommates keep track of who paid for what without anyone arguing or forgetting. But instead of building the full app right away, he opened Google Sheets and made a simple table. It asked for each person’s name, what they paid for, and how much others owed them. He shared it with a few of his friends who were living together.
In the next few weeks, those friends started using it regularly. Some of them even made their own versions for trips and office snack expenses. Dilan started noticing patterns in how people used the sheet. He observed what confused them, what they changed, and what features they kept asking for, like payment reminders and group notes.
That spreadsheet was his minimum viable product—a simple version of his idea that helped him test if people needed it, and how they would use it. By the time he started building the app, he already knew what mattered and what didn’t. The MVP saved him time, money, and helped him build something people were ready to use. So what exactly is a minimum viable product? In this blog, we go beyond the textbook definition and explore insights most blogs skip over.
What is a minimum viable product?
A prototype is often mistaken for a minimum viable product. Let’s pause here and understand the difference between a prototype and an MVP before we go further. A prototype is usually a quick visual or interactive draft used to demonstrate how a product might look or function. It’s not meant for real-world use but to help teams test ideas internally or show early concepts to stakeholders.
A minimum viable product, on the other hand, is built for real users. It's functional enough to solve a core problem, even if it lacks polish. While a prototype asks, “Does this make sense?”, an MVP asks, “Will people actually use this?” The goal of a minimum viable product is to learn from real behavior.
So, what is the meaning of minimum viable product? It is a strategic tool, and when done right, it becomes a data-generating asset that guides the product roadmap. Here is a comparison to help you understand the difference between a prototype and an MVP.
Prototype | MVP | |
Purpose | Validate design | Validate market and functionality |
Functionality | Usually static | Minimal but real |
Audience | Internal or stakeholders | Real users |
The biggest mistakes to avoid when starting with an MVP
Let’s first focus on the mistakes you should avoid, which will help you determine if you really need a minimum viable product. Once we have a clear understanding, we can move on to exploring what metrics to capture using a minimum viable product.
MVPs should focus on what they need
One of the most common reasons minimum viable products fail is that they focus too much on "what can we build?" rather than asking, "What should we validate?" A minimum viable product should be built backward from assumptions and not forward from features. Instead of rushing to develop the product, it’s more important to first define what you want to learn from your users. This way, you can make sure your MVP tests the core assumptions that are essential for your product's success.
MVPs aren’t about speed
Most startups rush minimum viable products to market, assuming speed gives them a head start. But speed without a structured learning framework is just noise. For example, a fitness app could release a minimum viable product with only one feature named “personalized workout plans”. This lets them test if users actually want this feature before investing time in building the rest of the app.
MVPs aren’t just for startups
MVP development is often associated with new ventures, but larger companies like Amazon, Google, and Spotify also use minimum viable products to test new ideas or expand into new markets. These companies often roll out silent MVPs to segmented user groups, using them to test product extensions or market fit before committing to a full launch. This approach shows that minimum viable products aren’t just for startups but also valuable for companies of all sizes to experiment, learn, and grow efficiently.
By now, you should have a clear idea of whether you need an MVP. If you do, let’s go ahead and understand how to get started with building one.
Essential steps for building an MVP
Now that you know what a minimum viable product is, you should also know that building a minimum viable product doesn’t mean creating a product with just the bare minimum. It’s about focusing on core features that solve a problem and validating your idea with real users. A well-structured MVP development helps you clarify what you need to build and ensures you're collecting the right feedback to move forward.
Here are a few steps to follow when building a minimum viable product:
1. Start with the real problem
What problem does your product solve? Be specific and clear about the issue your product addresses. This is your starting point.
Example: You're building a tool that helps freelancers get clients. So the problem you will first focus on will be,
Problem: Most freelancers don’t have a simple, professional-looking portfolio and lose potential clients because of it.
2. Pick only the must-have features
What is the simplest version of your product? List the key features that are essential for solving the problem. Think about the minimum functionality needed to deliver value to your users.
Example:
For the freelance portfolio tool:
Add basic profile info
Upload resume
Showcase projects
Shareable link
Remember not to test too many features so no analytics, no themes, no client messaging yet.
3. Know exactly who you’re building for
Who are your ideal users? Narrow down your audience to focus on early adopters who will give you valuable feedback.
Example:
You're not targeting all freelancers. You're starting with graphic designers who are just starting out and want something quick to show clients.
4. Decide what you want to learn first
What assumptions are you testing? Clearly define what you want to learn from users. For example, are you testing if they’ll pay for the product, or if a specific feature will get engagement?
Example:
“If we give designers an easy way to showcase work, they’ll start using it in client pitches.”
So, you’re testing: Will they sign up and use the portfolio link to pitch?
5. Build fast, launch small
How will you build and test your MVP? Use rapid prototyping tools or low-code platforms to quickly build your MVP. MVP development services like Greyfeatherstudio can help you build and launch your minimum viable product in just a few days. Once built, launch it to a small group of users and gather data.
6. Track what users actually do
What metrics will you track? Focus on metrics that show user engagement and feedback, such as usage rates, drop-off points, or customer satisfaction scores.
Metrics to Capture in an MVP:
Activation time (first action after signup)
Feature engagement (which feature is used the most)
Abandonment points (where do users quit?)
User intent (through in-app surveys or Net Promoter Score)
7. Use feedback to make it better
What changes will you make based on feedback? Use the data to refine your product. This is where the real learning happens, helping you pivot or add features based on user needs.
Example:
Users said, “I want to add my Behance or Instagram link.”
So your next iteration will be to “add a section for social links” and test again.
Looking for MVP development services?
Low-code tools are great for getting started quickly with an MVP for startups, especially when you're testing basic ideas or UI flows. But they often don’t work well when you need custom features, complex integrations, or a product that can grow after testing.
If you're looking for a reliable partner to build your minimum viable product on time, Greyfeathers Studio can help you without compromising on quality or flexibility. We provide a thorough approach that goes beyond rapid MVP development service if you're thinking about creating an MVP.
Looking for intricate integrations or unique logic for developing an MVP for startups? Let Greyfeathers Studio fill this gap for you!