The Key to MVP Success: Validate, Then Build
Before you build, test. Here’s how validating your idea before development could save time, money, and heartbreak
As an early-stage founder, you’re constantly being told to “build, build, build!” But before you dive headfirst into creating your Minimum Viable Product (MVP), there’s one crucial step you mustn’t skip: the Minimum Viable Test (MVT). This concept isn't just about proving your idea’s potential; it’s about making sure you’re solving a real problem, in the right way, for the right audience. In this newsletter, we’ll walk you through why the MVT is essential and how it can set you on the path to success. Let’s make sure your MVP is built on solid ground before you raise that funding!
What is a Minimum Viable Test?
Before you even think about building an MVP, you need to test your core assumptions about your idea. This is where the Minimum Viable Test (MVT) comes in. The MVT process allows you to validate the viability of your product concept using as few resources as possible. It helps you determine if there's real demand for your idea and if it actually solves a problem for your target audience before you spend time and money building an MVP.
Think of it as a preliminary step, like market research with a direct, hands-on approach.
Why is MVT So Important?
Here’s the thing: the cost of failure for early-stage startups is high. According to various startup reports, the number one reason startups fail is because they build a product that the market doesn’t want. If you don’t test the core assumptions of your idea, you're essentially guessing whether it will succeed.
The MVT provides clear insights into:
User Demand: Are people actually interested in your product concept?
Pain Point Validation: Does your idea truly address the problem you think it does?
Market Fit: Will the product resonate with your target audience or do you need to pivot?
By conducting an MVT, you’re minimizing the risk of building an MVP that ultimately doesn’t meet market demand.
The MVT Process: How to Do It Right
Step 1: Define Your Hypothesis
Before you even test your idea, you need to clarify your assumptions. What problem are you solving? Who is your target audience? What’s your value proposition? A clear hypothesis might look like:"Young professionals in urban areas are willing to pay for a monthly subscription service for eco-friendly meal kits."
This hypothesis gives you a clear goal: testing if there’s a demand for such a service and whether your target market is ready to pay for it.
Step 2: Create a Prototype or Mock-up
In this stage, you’re not building a fully functional product. Instead, you’re putting together a simple version (a "prototype") that illustrates your idea. This could be a landing page, a clickable mock-up, or a video that explains your product concept. The goal is to give potential customers something tangible to react to.For Example: If you're creating an app, you could use a tool like Figma or InVision to build a clickable prototype that simulates the app’s core functionality without any real code.
For a service: A simple webpage with a form to gauge interest or gather early sign-ups works as a prototype.
Step 3: Test with Real Users
Now comes the critical phase: getting real feedback from potential users. This can be done through:Surveys and Interviews: Reach out to your target audience and ask open-ended questions to understand if your solution resonates with them.
Focus Groups: Assemble a small group of people who match your target demographic and walk them through your prototype, asking for their feedback.
Landing Pages: Create a simple landing page and use digital ads (Facebook, Google, etc.) to drive traffic. Track how many people sign up for more information or a future product launch.
The goal: Validate your assumptions — Are people willing to sign up or show interest in your product?
Step 4: Analyze and Iterate
The insights you gather here will inform your next steps. Do people like the concept? Did they sign up? Did they express interest? If so, you’re on the right track. If not, it’s time to evaluate why the idea didn’t take off. This might mean adjusting the product, targeting a different audience, or even pivoting your entire concept.For Example: If you were testing a meal kit subscription service and received feedback that people weren’t interested in meal kits but were interested in eco-friendly food delivery, you could adjust your service model accordingly.
Action Steps for Iteration:
Take feedback and refine the product prototype.
Make changes based on what users liked or disliked.
Re-test with a new set of users or a more refined approach.
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Examples:
Dropbox
Dropbox is often cited as a perfect example of validating a product idea before developing it. Founder Drew Houston wanted to test whether people were actually interested in online file storage. So, he created a simple video demonstrating how Dropbox would work, without building the product itself.
He uploaded this video to tech forums and shared it on social media. When it went viral and people signed up in droves, he knew he had something worth building. The MVT here was as simple as a video that explained the core value proposition and tested demand.
Takeaway: Testing a product idea doesn’t require building it. It can be as simple as showing people the concept and seeing if they’re interested.
Zappos
Nick Swinmurn, founder of Zappos, didn’t start by building an e-commerce site with thousands of shoes. Instead, he tested the concept by taking pictures of shoes from local stores and posting them online to see if people would buy them. When customers made purchases, he would go to the store, buy the shoes, and ship them out himself.
Takeaway: Zappos used a super simple method to validate an e-commerce business idea before investing in a full platform. The key was testing customer demand with minimal effort.
Airbnb
In its early days, Airbnb founders wanted to validate the concept of renting out rooms to travelers, but they didn’t immediately build a booking platform. Instead, they rented out their own apartment during a design conference and listed air mattresses for rent. They took pictures of their space, created a listing, and tested the idea by offering people the chance to stay for a low price.
Takeaway: Airbnb didn’t wait to build a full product. They used a simple real-world test to see if the demand for short-term rentals was strong enough to build a business around.
Lesson for a Founder:
The MVP is not the starting point. It’s the outcome of having validated your idea through an MVT. As a founder, your job is to make the smartest use of your resources. Instead of guessing whether your product will work, test your assumptions. Validate your hypothesis early and get real-world feedback. This doesn’t just save you time; it increases your chances of success in the long run.
By testing your idea first, you’re reducing your risks, setting a clearer course for product development, and ultimately increasing your chances of attracting investors and scaling successfully.
Resources to Read More:
YouTube Videos:
Blogs/Articles:
Books:
These resources will provide you with deeper insights into the MVT process and how to integrate it into your startup strategy.
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