How to Make a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Step by Step

Why This Guide is a Must-Read for Founders and Product Managers

Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) carries significant risks. This can lead to quick approval, funding, and early growth. On the other hand, this can waste resources and kill an idea before it even takes off. Instead of giving generic advice like most other books do, this one takes a unique but useful approach to MVP development.

You’ll find battle-tested ideas, real-life case studies, and plans that can help startups avoid costly mistakes and get to the point where their product and market fit more quickly here. This guide is unique because it gives you a clear path to follow whether you want to be an entrepreneur, a product manager, or a tech creator.

Step 1: Redefine the Problem—Think Like a Detective

Before fully analyzing the root cause of the problem they’re trying to solve, many leaders jump into product development. MVPs that work well are built with accuracy, not guesswork.

Interrogate the Problem Like a Detective

Ask yourself:

• What specific pain point is frustrating users the most?
• Is this problem a symptom of a bigger challenge?
• Are there existing solutions that users tolerate but don’t love?

Don’t just base your ideas on surveys; watch users in their normal surroundings. Watch them struggle, listen to their problems without filtering them, and identify their solutions. When you build something, this detective work helps you make sure it’s something people really need.

Craft a Magnetic Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

Don’t use broad UVPs like “We help businesses grow.” Instead, use very clear, intriguing wording that gets people’s attention right away.

Say “We automate freelancer finances so tax season takes 80% less time” instead of “We streamline finance tracking.”

Tip: Take a look at how dbbsoftware creates unique value propositions that focus on real results over general claims.

Step 2: Use the “Minimal Loveable Product” Approach

Ditch the Traditional MVP for an MLP

A lot of people get the MVP idea wrong. When users don’t engage, many startups launch basic versions of their product. Your product shouldn’t just be “viable”; it should be so great that people get excited about it.

To create a Minimal Lovable Product (MLP):

• Find the unique feature of your answer that will make it stand out.
• Make the experience of using even the most basic form better.
• Create an “aha!” moment that early users will remember.

Apply the 80/20 Rule to Features

Too many features lose focus. Instead, apply the Pareto Principle.

• 80% of the value for users should come from 20% of the features.
• Take out anything that isn’t directly related to the main experience.

Think about Airbnb’s MVP: it was just a website where people could rent out air beds at first. But it did the one thing that mattered: it connected tourists and guests with an easy-to-use booking system.

Step 3: Pick Your Development Path—Code or No-Code?

Break Free from “One-Size-Fits-All” Development

A lot of MVP guides tell startups to use coding or no-code solutions, but the right tech for you should depend on your long-term goals

Ask Yourself:

1. Do you need full control over the product roadmap? → Go with custom development.
2. To test demand, do you need a quick prototype? Try tools like Bubble that don’t require you to code.
3. Do you intend to rapidly scale? Think about using both pre-built APIs and custom features in a mixed way.

Zapier was one of the first million-dollar startups that used a no-code MVP. Avoid creating unnecessary complexity. When possible, use pre-built solutions.

Leverage Pre-Built Solutions Where Possible

Some things don’t need to be built from scratch. Use:

• Cloud platforms (AWS, Firebase) for infrastructure
• Third-party APIs for payments, authentication, analytics
• Open-source frameworks to speed up development

Step 4: Launch Fast, Fail Smart, and Iterate Relentlessly

Think Like a Scientist, Not a Perfectionist

Your MVP is just a test, not a finished product. Try to focus on swift feedback loops instead of trying to be perfect.

💡 Adopt the “Test, Measure, Learn” Loop:

1. Test: Launch a small-scale version to a niche group.
2. Measure: Track behavior, engagement, and satisfaction.
3. Learn: Use insights to refine and iterate.

Skip the “Big Launch”—Go Stealth Mode

Instead of making a big deal out of a full-scale launch, start slowly with beta testers. Private events allow for the anonymous sharing of opinions.

They’re going public; some of the best startups, like Superhuman, used invite-only early access to make their products even better.

Step 5: The Metrics That Actually Matter

Avoid Vanity Metrics—Focus on These Instead:

🚫 Downloads 🚫 Social Media Followers 🚫 Number of Press Mentions

“Activation Rate”: “How many users press the first key?” Number of Return Users (Do users keep coming back?) ✠ Rate of Engagement (Are they using your main feature over and over?)

Build a User-Driven Feedback Loop

Do not only depend on data; talk to users as well. Tracking tools like Hotjar, Mixpanel, and Google Analytics can help, but talks are the best way to get real information.

Ask users:

• What’s confusing or frustrating about the product?
• What’s stopping them from using it daily?
• What’s the one feature they desperately want?

Step 6: Scale Smarter—Don’t Chase Growth Too Soon

Decide Whether to Pivot, Persevere, or Scale

After getting people to use your MVP, you can choose what to do next:

• Pivot if users aren’t adopting it as expected.
• Persevere if feedback suggests minor refinements.
• Scale if demand is growing and retention is strong.

Growth Should Be a Byproduct of a Great Product

Make sure your core product is rock strong before you worry about growth hacks. People will easily spread the word about your MVP if it’s really useful.

Key Takeaways: Your MVP Success Checklist

✔️ Validate the problem before writing a single line of code. ✔️ Focus on an MLP (Minimal Lovable Product), not just an MVP. ✔️ Choose your tech stack based on scalability and speed. ✔️ Launch in stealth mode and iterate based on real-world feedback. ✔️ Measure success with activation, retention, and engagement metrics. ✔️ Decide whether to pivot, persevere, or scale—don’t just blindly grow.

You’ll build an MVP, but you’ll also create a product that users love, investors notice, and rivals envy if you follow these game-changing tactics.