How to Build a Successful MVP Mobile App? A Guide for Startups (2024)

Mega-apps in the market right now all started from somewhere small, bare minimum even. Fun fact, Airbnb, Dropbox, and Facebook began their journey from just MVP! 

Building an MVP mobile app is the best way to confirm there’s market demand for your app and to get it to market quickly. In this article, we’ll discuss the steps, the tips, key industry trends, and show you how to choose the best development partner. 

Let’s get started!

What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?

A minimum viable product (MVP) is a bare-bone version of a brand new app with only the essential features to show the core value and get feedback from early adopters and potential users. 

Instead of building a complete product, entrepreneurs and developers typically create an MVP to test their concept quickly and cost-effectively in real-world settings (with potential risks reduced to the minimum).

Here are three main points you need to grasp about MVP:

• Minimum = Core functionality only, aims to solve one core problem (no fancy addition)
• Viable = The essence of the solution that is functional enough to be tested by target customers
• Product = It is tangible and usable for the customers.

MVP Mobile App vs. Complete Product Launch: What's The Difference?

With an MVP, we help you test your core idea quickly and economically, allowing you to get your concept validated with real users and make informed decisions later on.

On the other hand, a full product launch is a more traditional approach where we deliver a comprehensive solution after thorough development and testing, involving higher costs and longer timelines but ensuring a complete product for the market.

In more detail, here’s the two concepts side-by-side:

When Should You Choose MVP Mobile App or Full Product launch?

As a seasoned tech development provider, we have sat back and discussed with multiple entrepreneurs about their consideration whether to build an MVP or invest straight away in a full product. 

And through these conversations, we figured out a clear pattern that helps guide their decision-making process way quicker. 

Choose MVP mobile app when:

• You need to validate a new idea with minimal investment.
• You want to gather user feedback early in the development process.
• You have a limited budget and need to launch quickly (which can span from $15,000 to $150,000).
• The market is competitive, and you need to test your concept rapidly.

Choose full product launch when:

• Your product requires a complete set of features to be functional.
• You have enough budget and time for extensive development and testing.
• You aim to make a strong market entry with a polished product.
• User experience and brand reputation are critical from the start.

How To Build an MVP Mobile App In 5 Steps?

Step 1: Identify the Core Problem 

Start by identifying the main issue your MVP mobile app will address. 

Engage with potential users through surveys, interviews, or focus groups to understand their pain points. For example, if developing a fitness app, ask users about their biggest workout challenges, such as staying motivated or tracking progress. Document these insights to guide your development process.

Tip: Use tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms to gather user feedback efficiently.

Step 2: Conduct Market Research 

Thoroughly research your target market to validate your idea. Analyze competitors to identify gaps your app can fill. 

Use tools like Google Trends, industry reports, and social media analytics to understand market demand. For instance, if developing a food delivery app, study how current apps handle user needs and identify areas for improvement.

Tip: Give time to join online communities and forums like Reddit or Quora to gather unfiltered user opinions.

Step 3: Define Core Features 

List out all possible features and prioritize them based on user needs and feasibility. Focus on the must-have features that solve the core problem identified in Step 1. Create user stories to detail each feature’s purpose and functionality. 

Let’s say in the case of a language learning app, the user story can be "As a beginner, I want to learn new vocabulary words daily so that I can gradually build my language skills" and the core features might include: basic lessons, quizzes, and progress tracking.

Tip: Use frameworks such as the MoSCoW method (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have) to prioritize features.

Step 4: Develop a Prototype 

Create wireframes and mockups to visualize the app’s design and user flow. Use tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD for this. Develop an interactive prototype to demonstrate the app’s core functionality. Test this prototype with potential users to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments before actual development.

Example: A travel app prototype might include screens for booking, itinerary management, and reviews.

Tip: Conduct usability testing sessions using services like UserTesting to gather actionable feedback.

Step 5: Launch and Gather Feedback 

Build your MVP using agile development practices and release it to a small group of early adopters or beta testers. Use analytics tools to track user behavior and gather feedback through surveys, interviews, and user reviews. Regularly update the app based on this feedback to improve its functionality and user experience.

Example: For a productivity app, track how users interact with task management features and adjust based on usage patterns.

Tip: Use tools like Mixpanel or Firebase Analytics to monitor user interactions and gather data.

What Makes a Successful MVP Mobile App?

Stick to this mantra: A successful MVP mobile app needs to successfully solve your users' core problem. 

One way to “cheat” your way through it is to see if it solves YOUR own problem. If it works for you, there's a good chance it will work for others too (basically dogfooding, we know, but it works). Consequently, there’s a high possibility that you are creating an MVP that solves users' issues effectively.

Of course, you can’t just rely solely on your opinion on the MVP that you’re building. 

You might get lost in details and distracted from the original purpose of MVPs: Getting the concept validated by the potential users. Are you 100% confident that your users will love what you have to offer and are willing to pay for it without hearing what they have to say?

Therefore, listening to user feedback is crucial for the success of an MVP mobile app. 

Give them a way to reach you (email, social media, etc.) and provide customer service from day 1 of releasing the MVP. Once the app is in the hands of real users, their feedback provides valuable insights into what works and what needs improvement.

3 Tips To Launch MVP Mobile App Successfully For Startups

1. Engage Early Adopters 

Find a small group of early users to test your app. These early adopters can provide valuable feedback and help you identify any issues. They are usually more understanding and willing to offer constructive criticism.

2. Prioritize User Feedback 

Listen to what your initial users have to say. Use surveys and in-app feedback tools to gather their opinions. Analyze this feedback to make improvements and decide which features to focus on next.

3. Implement Continuous Improvement 

Update your app regularly based on user feedback. Small, frequent updates show users you are committed to making the app better. This iterative process helps you refine the app over time.

MVP Mobile App Development Trends in The Tech Industry

Keeping up with new trends is key to developing a successful MVP mobile app, and later on, a full-fledged app. Adopting these trends can be the references that help you create innovative, user-friendly, and competitive apps that meet current user needs. 

Here are five important trends shaping mobile app development in 2024:

• AI Integration: Incorporating AI to enhance user experience with features like chatbots and personalized recommendations.
• IoT Connectivity: Developing apps that interact with smart devices, enabling control and monitoring of home automation, health metrics, and logistics.
• Blockchain Security: Utilizing blockchain for secure transactions and data integrity, especially in finance, healthcare, and supply chains.
• Cloud Computing: Leveraging cloud technology for scalable storage and computing power, facilitating efficient data management and accessibility.
• AR and VR Experiences: Creating immersive applications in gaming, education, and retail to boost user engagement through augmented and virtual reality.

Bottom Line

Creating an MVP mobile app is crucial for market success, but startups must first showcase their idea's value to secure resources. 

Convincing investors can be tough without solid proof, which is why a strong and well-structured Proof of Concept (POC) is key. Book an appointment with Golden Owl Solutions for a full-suite POC service tailored to your business, from budget & timeline estimation to your vision on UX/UI sketch. Act now!

FAQs

Q1. What is an MVP mobile app? 

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) mobile app is a basic version of an app with essential features to solve a core problem and gather user feedback.

Q2. Why build an MVP? 

An MVP helps validate your idea, collect user feedback, and refine the app before a full launch, saving time and money.

Q3.How long to develop an MVP? 

Typically, 1 to 6 months, depending on complexity.

Q4. What are the costs? 

Costs vary based on scope and team. Offshore teams like Golden Owl offer cost-effective solutions.

Q5. How to choose a development partner? 

Look for experience, expertise, cost, and communication. Golden Owl combines quality, efficiency, and affordability.