Before a good app idea grows into a large and well-known platform, there are a lot of software development hurdles it has to go over, such as MVP app development.
Of particular importance is how the development team manages the first stages of their app’s growth while they are using market research data to improve their service delivery.
If the software development stage is not managed properly and the app company over-extends itself too early, it could have serious consequences for any future iterations being planned.
This is where MVP app development comes into play. If you are planning on launching an app idea in 2023, this article is for you. Read on to find out more about the best way to launch successful apps!
What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) App?
A minimum viable product (MVP) app is the beta version of a newly launched app that contains only the essential features necessary to collect feedback from the target audience.
By foregoing all the cosmetic functionalities that are common in fully functional software platforms, app developers can focus on the feasibility of the product based on specified success criteria, such as user reviews.
Similar to a Proof of Concept, MVP product development uses client appraisals based on user satisfaction from early adopters of the app to adjust where necessary.
Focusing on the core features only allows a web and mobile app MVP to:
- Implement validated learning in the app development
- Identify serious issues with the web app
- Suggest the best direction to improve on the early version of the app
- Deliver a final product that meets expectations beyond simply providing core functionality
Benefits of MVP Mobile App Development
Many successful apps have gone through this MVP development stage and have enjoyed the following benefits:
MVP Development is Cost Effective
Putting all available resources towards the must-have features of the app is the most cost-effective way to make sure the app development is kept within budget without compromising on important aspects.
Including all the features of the app early on, brings the added burden of extra investment, longer app development time, and more complex coding. If any of these features later on prove to be not feasible, this would be a huge waste of company resources.
An Efficient MVP Development Process
When there is negative feedback from early adopters of the initial version of the app, the number and complexity of iterations will be greatly reduced if the app developing team only has to focus on the minimum viable products rather that the entire app.
The turn-around time for fixing bugs and returning the product to the public for market validation will be much less regardless of how many users have reported issues with the software.
Reduce Risk
Developing a complete app that is market-ready and has all the essential and cosmetic features carries a high level of risk that most companies would not be able to tolerate.
In case the app fails to perform well on its first run and the company had chosen not to prioritize only the essential features, the losses will be huge.
Target Users Specifically
As the App grows, the number of users that will be attracted to it will also increase.
However, at the early stages of development, the developers need to focus on targeting specific users who have the potential to become investors.
Usually, these are the kind of people who are more concerned with things like user flow and viability of the app idea rather than how beautiful the app looks.
Start Small
It is always good business logic to start small when venturing into unknown territory in case mistakes are made. The same applies to launching an app when you do not know how well your potential customers will receive it.
Focusing on core functionalities and key features of the app is a lot simpler to manage and allows the early users to give you better feedback on any specific problem they come across.
Test, Get User Feedback, and Fix Bugs
When you build an MVP, you only need to focus on three things after you launch, i.e. testing the app, getting feedback from active users, and fixing any bugs that creep up.
This means the basic model is easier to manage and the path to full product development is much clearer.
Some of the Biggest Mobile Apps Started as MVPs!
Building an MVP is a popular method that was used by many huge platforms in their early days to gather feedback from potential users and spend money on only the basic features necessary to launch the app.
Some great MVP examples that have gone on to become huge software platforms include:
- Airbnb
- Uber
- Dropbox
- Spotify
- Etsy
Final Word
If you have a business idea that you think is ready for a web and mobile app, you should first consider focusing on the minimum viable product (MVP) development process before going all out with a full app launch!
Hire a reliable MVP development company and avoid the same app development issues that many startups fail to navigate through.
