An application – as any product – should be subjected to strictly defined tests. Constant fine-tuning it “in secret,” so without contact with potential customers or users, its creators make severe mistakes. And that’s why everyone who creates and shares his software should start with its MVP version.
What is an MVP application?
As many terms from the industry, MVP is just another acronym, which is much more understandable “Minimum Viable Product.” In the case of an application, it is the first, still underdeveloped, but relatively stable version, which – as a part of tests – can be made available to potential users. The essence of MVP is the main feature of the future, ready-to-use program. What’s more, all sorts of details, details, and, of course, updates are omitted here (yet). This way, you can easily check if there is a demand for this kind of content on the market. If there would be little interest in it, you could save yourself a lot of unnecessary costs already at this stage. It may also turn out that the tool’s design needs some rework and improvements, which – as part of MVP testing – you will be able to introduce faster.
Why start with MVP?
It should be emphasized right away that MVP is a beta version of the final product rather than its demo version. If tests at this stage are to bring specific results, the released tool must be fully stable and reliable. Constant improvement of the untested project carries a lot of risks. It has to be remembered that independent tests won’t bring the same results as, for example, trials conducted through a potential community, which – perhaps already at this stage – will form around the chosen application. Besides, trying to monetize a project too fast carries the risk of releasing a product with errors, discouraging users from using the tested tool.
The sooner the test is conducted, the smaller will be the costs of (often unnecessary!) its improvement. On the other hand, thanks to tests, you can find out in which direction a given application should go. Thanks to that, the resources spent later will be much better targeted. You should also remember that the first impression can be made only once.
How to create a good MVP of an application?
Creating a good app MPV depends on many factors. The most important one is to validate a particular idea. One method is to release a fairly polished version of the project and then collect – in the form of comments and ratings – opinions on the chosen tool. This will make the final adaptation of the tool to the needs of end-users much easier. You can also bet on two MVP versions of a mobile application and make a simple A/B test. During the test, the users themselves will determine which of the variants is more beneficial for them.
MVP and predictions for the selected project
By creating an MVP application, it is possible to thoroughly test your idea and analyze whether it is a good direction. The next and equally important stage is to estimate the predictable profit from making the application available. This analysis can be done already on the basis of the first reviews, as well as – which is equally important – the number of integrations with the product. This data will be used to assess what functionalities to introduce to the project to make it even more profitable. Finally, you cannot forget about finding the first partners, i.e., the people who, in a way, will be responsible for its financing. Attracting the attention of future investors is the key to success, because thanks to them, there is a possibility of virtually unlimited development of the final application. Naturally, this process will take place through subsequent rounds of funding from investors.
To sum up, the MVP of a mobile application is one of the most important factors that can decide the profitability of a given project. If this version surprises potential users, this interest will also translate into later investors.
