Consider the following scenario.
You have an idea for an app. You get the funds to put it into action. You put all your money into developing the app and release it to the public. Only to discover that users don’t really need your product.
Sounds heart-breaking, right?
But how can you avoid this situation? Well, that’s where an MVP comes to the rescue! It is the most fail-safe method to test your app idea without sacrificing all your time and money.
I’m sure you have a clue by now as to what an MVP is. Short for Minimum Viable Product, an MVP is a piece of software that has only the bare minimum functionalities that are needed to assess a product’s market demand.
Sounds like a good first step, right?
So, MVP Programming is an approach in software development where you can pitch the most basic version of your app idea to a small number of users and learn from their feedback.
Needless to say, it has a number of advantages:
- MVP programming gives you the perfect opportunity to test your product idea with minimum risk.
- It will help you launch your product faster.
- MVP development services are relatively cost-efficient, so it won’t break your bank.
- MVP programming leaves a lot of wiggle room for further evolution of your product.
- MVP development will save you a lot of time in terms of engineering hours.
In short, MVP programming in software development will help you get critical user feedback with minimal investment on your part. Now, doesn’t that sound fantastic?
In case you’re still not convinced, let me seal the deal with an example. On July 5th, 1994, American entrepreneur Jeff Bezos had a vision — to create an internet-based “everything store”. However, he had no idea how viable his idea was, and he needed a platform to test it out. Thus began Amazon — a small online bookstore. In the beginning, Amazon was simply a marketplace where one could place an order for books and have them delivered to the doorstep. In the first two months, Amazon clocked orders from over 45 countries. Sensing the huge demand and in response to customer feedback, Amazon began including more and more products in its catalogue. And the rest, as we know, is history.
Types of MVP programming:
Now that we have established how useful an MVP can be, let’s get a bit more technical. MVP development services offer various product options. I’m adding a brief description of each here so that you can choose the MVP best suited for your app idea:
- Low-fidelity MVPs and High-fidelity MVPs:
Broadly speaking, there are two categories of MVP programming — Low Fidelity MVPs and High-Fidelity MVPs
- Low-Fidelity MVPs are generally used in the early stages and are aimed at gaining a better understanding of the customers’ needs.
- High-Fidelity MVPs, on the other hand, come into play at a later stage and help to secure a proper marketing strategy for the product.
- Landing Page MVP:
This is essentially a one-page pitch for your product. It lists the unique features of your product and allows customers or investors to take action by providing links to further information about the product.
- Concierge MVP and Wizard of Oz MVP:
Here, human beings mimic a fully functional MVP. It is very cost-effective and the customer feedback thus collected can be used to validate your product, or gain investors.
How is an MVP different from a Prototype?
In case you are wondering whether an MVP and a prototype are the same thing, the answer is no! A prototype is a concept for a product that is turned into a tangible end result. It could be something as straightforward as a sketch, or it could be more dynamic and functional, such as digital models or mockups. The main purpose of a prototype is to convey your idea to the design and manufacturing teams.
Prototypes are usually used to explore ideas, and generally act as a foundation for developing the MVP. An MVP, on the other hand, is an enhanced, more fleshed-out version of an approved prototype.
Summing It All Up
In a nutshell, we can say that an MVP is a cost-effective, non-committal way to test out your product idea before you decide to take the jump and launch the final product into the market. It will give direction to your business by gathering as much information as possible from early adopters with the least amount of work.
As I’m sure you know by now, the road from product idea to product launch is difficult and fraught with perils. But worry not, because there are many MVP development services to smooth the way. So take the leap of faith and transform your idea into reality with the help of this incredible learning tool.
