MVP development: test your idea fast and affordably

What exactly is an MVP, and what isn't it?

An MVP isn't a half version of your end product. It's a complete solution to one small problem. Say you want software for cleaning companies. The end vision includes scheduling, hours, invoicing and a customer portal. An MVP can be just the scheduling, but that part must work well.

A few terms often get mixed up:

• Prototype: a clickable design without real functionality. Good for showing an idea and getting quick reactions.
• MVP: working software with real users and real data, but with as few features as possible.
• First version or version 1.0: the product you launch widely, built on what you learned from the MVP.

Not sure whether your idea is ready to build? Then a prototype can be an affordable step in between.

Why start with MVP development?

Most new software doesn't fail because the technology is bad, but because people turn out not to need it. An MVP limits that risk.

• You spend less before you know whether the idea takes off.
• You go live sooner, often in weeks rather than months.
• You learn from real behaviour rather than opinions.
• You have something tangible to discuss with customers, partners or investors.
• Afterwards you only build what users actually ask for.

How to scope your MVP

The hardest part of an MVP is cutting. Every feature feels important. These steps help you choose.

• Write down in one sentence which problem you solve and for whom. If you can't, the idea is still too broad.
• Describe the main route a user takes, from start to result. Anything not on that route can wait.
• List all features and put them in three columns: needed, nice to have, later. Only build the first column.
• Choose what you can do by hand. You can send invoices yourself for the first few months. Reports can be made with an export.
• Decide in advance what success looks like. For example: ten companies use it weekly, or three customers pay after the trial period.

An example. You want a platform where gardeners find jobs. The end vision has profiles, reviews, payments, chat and an app. The MVP can be much smaller: customers fill in a request, you forward it by hand to three gardeners, and they reply by email. If that works, you know there's demand. Only then do you build the automatic distribution and the rest.

A handy tip: write your wishes down in a short list before you talk to a developer. In how software development works you'll read how such a list fits into the whole process.

What does and doesn't belong in MVP software?

Some parts you can't leave out, not even in an MVP. Others you can.

Needed:

• The core feature, working well and easy to understand.
• Login and basic security. Real data deserves protection.
• A way to measure what users do, so you can learn.
• An easy way to give feedback, such as a button or an email address.

Can usually wait:

• Extensive settings and customisation per customer.
• Integrations with lots of other systems.
• A native app in the App Store. A web app that works on any phone is often enough.
• Advanced reports and charts.
• Multiple languages.

MVP cost and timeline

What an MVP costs depends on the core feature, the number of user roles and whether integrations are needed. An MVP with one clear feature, login and simple admin is easy to estimate. Every extra role or integration makes it bigger.

The timeline also depends mainly on the size. A tightly scoped MVP can often go live in a few weeks. What slows things down most are wishes added during the build. So agree in advance that new ideas go on a list for later, unless they're truly needed for the core feature.

Allow for costs after launch. You'll make changes based on feedback, and that's exactly the point. So set aside budget for a second round. Read more about what determines the price of software in how much does a web application cost.

Common MVP mistakes

• Too many features. Then it's no longer an MVP, just a regular project with a different label.
• Too little quality. Minimal is about scope, not sloppiness. A broken MVP teaches you nothing.
• No users lined up. Find people who want to test it while you're still building.
• Not measuring. Without data, you still won't know after three months whether it works.
• Throwaway code. Have the MVP built so you can keep building on it if the idea takes off.

That last point matters. An MVP can be small, but the foundation must be solid enough to build on. Otherwise you start from scratch after a successful test.

Having your MVP built by Violexa

At Violexa we build custom web applications and software, including the first small version of a new idea. Violexa is a small studio run by founder Hisham, based in Amsterdam, working for business owners across the Netherlands. Above all, we help you cut: what needs to go in now, and what can wait.

A custom web application starts from €1,799 excl. VAT (€2,177 incl. VAT) per project, including design and development. That fits a small MVP with one clear feature well. If it's bigger, you get a fixed price in writing up front. Want to grow it into a subscription product afterwards? Also read building a SaaS platform.

Got an idea and want to know the smallest smart first step? Request a free quickscan. It's a 30-minute conversation, online or on site. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions