MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, is an approach that involves creating a basic version of a product that includes only the most essential functionalities necessary to launch it on the market. The goal of MVP is to quickly test a business idea, gather user feedback, and identify key areas for improvement or further development.

The main advantages of creating according to the MVP principle:

• Faster launch: MVP allows you to launch your product in a shorter time.
• Cost savings: By focusing on key functionalities, you avoid investing in elements that may prove unnecessary.
• Collecting user feedback: MVP gives you the opportunity to get valuable feedback from real users, allowing you to better tailor your product to their needs.
• Risk Reduction: The MVP approach minimizes the risk of launching a product that does not meet customer expectations.

How to create an e-commerce MVP?

In the context of e-commerce, MVP means building a basic version of an online store that will allow you to launch sales and validate your business model. To achieve this goal, several key elements must be considered.

Home page and product catalog

One of the most important aspects of an online store is an intuitive and attractive homepage and an easy-to-navigate product catalog. Users must be able to quickly find the products they are interested in and explore their details.

Order management system

An online store MVP should include basic order management tools, such as the ability to monitor order status, manage inventory, and generate sales documents.

Integration with payment and delivery systems

For a store to be operational, it must be integrated with payment systems such as PayU, Przelewy24, or PayPal, as well as with courier companies, which enables quick and efficient delivery to customers.

Customer data security

This is crucial to ensuring the security of customers' personal and financial data. Implementing basic security mechanisms, compliant with applicable regulations (e.g., GDPR), is an essential element of every online store.

Communication with customers

From the very beginning, we should make it easy for customers to contact our store. Basic tools include providing a phone number, email address, launching a contact form, and even the simplest chat for instant communication.

Examples of MVP applications in various industries

Mobile applications

In the case of mobile applications, MVP allows you to present the basic functions of the application, such as logging in, key usability functions, and a simple interface, which allows you to check its reception among users.

SaaS platforms

For software-as-a-service platforms, an MVP may include core modules that solve a key user problem, such as an invoicing module for financial services companies.

Start-ups

In the startup community, MVP is particularly popular as a tool for minimizing risk and increasing the chances of attracting investors. An example would be creating a landing page and a basic version of a web application to gauge audience interest and response.

Key steps in the MVP creation process

Defining the business goal

First, it's important to clearly define what you want to achieve with your MVP. This could include verifying product interest, testing functionality, or gathering customer feedback.

Identification of key functions

You should focus on the core features that are essential for the user and leave the development of additional functionality until later. This is the essence of the MVP approach: there's no point in inventing and adding various features at the outset that we'd like to see in the store, but which don't meet basic customer expectations. There will always be time for that, and—as we've repeatedly convinced our clients—we can always afford to spend the extra money. 

Prototyping and testing

Creating the simplest version of the product—in our case, an online store—then launching the store and testing it with real users. This allows us to gather valuable feedback that will aid further development, but this strategy also allows us to spread the costs of implementing such an e-commerce solution over a longer period. Furthermore, we don't run the risk of "burning money"—spending money and time on features that no one uses. On the other hand, as we repeatedly say: an online store is just a tool and currently accounts for a maximum of 10% of e-commerce success. Driving customers to our online store is far more important. 

Iterations and development

Based on the collected data, changes and improvements are made, continuing the development of the product towards the full version. 

Is it worth launching an MVP store? Summary

MVP is a prudent and common-sense approach to creating and launching an online store in the digital world, saving time and resources while minimizing business risk. By utilizing the MVP approach, entrepreneurs can enter the market faster, respond more quickly to market needs, and deliver products that meet user expectations. In the context of e-commerce, creating an MVP online store is the first step to achieving success in a dynamically changing market.