You have got an idea. Maybe it solves a clear problem or fills a gap you’ve noticed. Most startup founders jump straight into development. But building before validating can lead to wasted time, money, and effort — especially if no one ends up using it - or even worse: not paying for it. That’s why MVP design is important.

What is an MVP?

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the most basic version of your product that still delivers value and lets you test your assumptions with real users.

MVP design is the process of figuring out what that basic version should include — before you start building. It involves:

• Understanding your audience

• Defining their key problem

• Outlining the simplest solution

• Deciding what’s essential now vs. later

Design in this context is about clarity, priorities, and focus — not just the shiny pixels.

What’s the difference between design and development?

Design is about planning how a product should look, feel, and function before it's built. It focuses on user experience, structure, and clarity — through wireframes, flows, and prototypes.

Development is about building the product with code, based on that design. It turns ideas into a working app.

In short:
Design shapes the experience. Development brings it to life.

Skipping design often leads to confusion, delays, and wasted budget — because you’re building without a clear blueprint.

Why is MVP design important?

Because development isn’t cheap — even a small MVP can cost between €25k and €50k. Without clear direction, it’s easy to waste resources on features that aren’t really needed (even if you think so).

Good MVP design helps you:

• Save development costs

• Launch faster

• Stay focused on solving the core user problem

MVP design is like the blueprint for a house – you don’t start building until the design is clear.

Common MVP mistakes (based on experience)

1. Building without validation
   Assuming what users want — without critical testing those assumptions.

2. Adding features too early
   More features don’t always mean more value. Start with what’s critical.

3. Striving for perfection
   Done is better than perfect. Your MVP is a learning tool, not a finished product.

How much does an MVP cost?

It varies. A MVP might cost €15k to €50k, depending on complexity and team rates. High-end builds can go beyond €100k.

That’s why designing first is smart — it keeps things lean and focused.

How big is an MVP?

It should be as small as possible while still useful. Often that looks like:

• One core feature

• A basic flow for one user type

• A clickable prototype

The point isn’t to launch something huge — it’s to validate quickly (& move on from there)

Read here where we reduced 60% tasks in a new MVP version.

What’s the goal of an MVP?

The main goal is to learn whether there’s real demand for your solution.

You want to find out: "Do people care enough about this to use it, pay for it, or share it?"

And you don’t always need code to find that out — a landing page, demo, or prototype can be enough.

Got an idea but not sure where to start?

Let’s map out your MVP before you start building.