The 5 MVP Types Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

In my last blog post, I wrote about how to take a product from Idea to a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). In this post, we explore the different types of MVPs a first-time founder could consider and how to choose the right one for your business.

What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?

An MVP is a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and gather valuable feedback for future improvements. This concept allows startups to test their ideas, learn from their users, and iterate on their products quickly and efficiently.

Here are 5 Types of MVPs

1. Concierge MVP

With a Concierge MVP, you manually perform the tasks that your product would eventually automate. This hands-on approach provides valuable insights into your customers’ needs and pain points, enabling you to refine your product idea.

Advantages for First-Time Founders:

• Low development costs: You don’t need to invest in building a complete product, which can save you time and money.
• Direct customer feedback: You’ll gain firsthand knowledge of your customers’ needs, allowing you to make informed decisions about your product’s direction.

Drawbacks:

• Time-consuming; not scalable.

2. Wizard of Oz MVP

This type of MVP creates the illusion of a fully-functioning product, while you actually perform the tasks behind the scenes. This allows you to validate your idea without investing in the development of a complete product.

Advantages for First-Time Founders:

• Faster time to market: You can quickly test your product idea and gather feedback without spending time and resources on development.
• Flexibility: You can easily modify your product offering based on customer feedback, allowing you to pivot if necessary.

Drawbacks:

• Limited scalability; potential customer disappointment if the illusion is broken.

3. Piecemeal MVP

A Piecemeal MVP leverages existing tools and services to create a simplified version of your product. By combining existing components, you can quickly launch a low-cost prototype to gather feedback.

Advantages for First-Time Founders:

• Low development costs: You don’t need to create a custom solution from scratch, which can save you time and money.
• Faster time to market: You can quickly test your product idea and gather feedback, allowing you to iterate and improve more rapidly.

Drawbacks:

• Limited customization; potential integration issues.

4. Single-feature MVP

This MVP focuses on a single core feature of your product, allowing you to test its viability before investing in additional features. This approach helps you ensure that your product’s main value proposition resonates with your target audience.

Advantages for First-Time Founders:

• Clear focus: By concentrating on a single feature, you can ensure that your product’s main value proposition is strong and compelling.
• Easier to market and communicate value: A single-feature MVP is simpler to explain and promote, which can help you attract early adopters and generate buzz.

Drawbacks:

• May not fully represent your final product vision; potential competition from more feature-rich alternatives.

5. Landing Page MVP

This type of MVP is a simple website or landing page that describes your product and its benefits. It allows you to gauge interest and collect contact information from potential customers before developing the actual product.

Advantages for First-Time Founders:

• Minimal development costs: You only need to create a landing page, which is more affordable than building a complete product.
• Ability to test messaging and value proposition: You can experiment with different messaging and value propositions to see what resonates with your target audience.

Drawbacks:

• Limited feedback on actual product functionality; may not generate enough interest.

How to Choose the Right MVP for Your Startup

To determine the best MVP approach for your startup, consider the following factors:

1. Budget: If you have limited resources, a Concierge, Piecemeal, or Landing Page MVP may be the most cost-effective option.
2. Time to market: If you need to validate your idea quickly, a Wizard of Oz or Piecemeal MVP can help you get to market faster.
3. Customer interaction: If direct customer feedback is crucial, a Concierge MVP may be the best choice.
4. Complexity: If your product has a single core feature that you want to test, a Single-feature MVP may be the most appropriate.

Ultimately, the right MVP for your startup will depend on your unique circumstances, goals, and resources. By carefully considering these factors, you can select the MVP that will help you validate your product idea, gather valuable feedback, minimize risk, maximize learning, and set your business on the path to success.

P.S. If you are a first-time founder and looking to turn your idea into a product customers love, or know someone who could benefit from this feel free to reach out to connect on LinkedIn or book a FREE consultation with me.