What's an MVP and why does it matter?
Quick Answer
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your app that lets you test your core idea with real users. It matters because building the wrong thing is the biggest startup risk.
Full Explanation
MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product, and understanding this concept can save you months of wasted effort.
What an MVP actually is:
- The smallest possible version that delivers your core value proposition
- Enough to test whether your idea solves a real problem
- Often embarrassingly simple compared to your vision
- A learning tool, not a final product
What an MVP is not:
- A finished product with missing features
- A prototype or mockup (MVPs should actually work)
- A demo version of your full vision
- Something you should spend months building
Why it matters: The biggest risk in building products is building something nobody wants. Every feature you add before validating the core idea is potential waste. An MVP lets you learn with minimal investment.
Vibe coding makes MVPs especially powerful:
- You can build an MVP in days instead of months
- Iterating based on feedback is fast and cheap
- You can test multiple ideas quickly
- The cost of being wrong is much lower
Practical example: Your vision: 'AI-powered task manager with team collaboration, integrations, and analytics' Your MVP: 'Simple task list where you can add and complete tasks'
If people won't use the simple version, they won't use the complex one. Start minimal, validate, then expand.
Related Questions
How do I validate my app idea before building?
Talk to potential users, build a landing page to gauge interest, and create the simplest possible version to test the core value proposition before investing heavily.
How do I know if my app idea is good?
Good ideas solve real problems that people already spend money or significant time addressing. The best test is whether you can get someone to pay for it before it's built.
What's the biggest mistake beginners make?
Building too much before validating. People spend months on features nobody asked for, when they should launch an ugly MVP in weeks and iterate based on feedback.
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