Start here
The six questions
every founder asks.
Every founder considering a product asks the same questions. This guide answers all of them — and links to deeper resources where you need more detail.
What is an MVP?
A minimum viable product is the simplest working version of your product — real code, real users, real validation. Not a prototype, not a landing page. Read our full definition guide.
How much does it cost?
At Wall & Fifth, from £16,000. Industry-wide, £5,000 to £200,000+ depending on complexity, platform, and who builds it. Our cost guide breaks it down in detail.
How long does it take?
8 weeks at Wall & Fifth. Scoping in weeks 1–2, development in weeks 3–6, testing and launch in weeks 7–8. Our timeline guide covers the variables.
What should I build first?
One user type, one core workflow, one value proposition. The critical path from signup to value — nothing more. Our features guide helps you decide where to draw the line.
What tech should I use?
Next.js, React, TypeScript, PostgreSQL for web apps. React Native with Expo for mobile. Production-grade from day one. Our tech stack guide explains every choice.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Building too much, choosing the wrong tech, no success metrics, ignoring the commercial model. Our mistakes guide covers the full list.
The reading list
Go deep on what
matters to you.
This guide gives you the overview. The pages below go deep on each topic. Read them in order or jump to what matters most.
01
Understanding MVPs
What is a minimum viable product? → MVP vs prototype → MVP examples → MVP product — what makes a good one
02
Planning your MVP
Idea to MVP → Features to include → MVP product design → MVP project plan → MVP methodology
03
Building your MVP
Build an MVP → How to build a minimum viable product → MVP process → Tech stack → Agile development → Timeline
04
Commercial decisions
MVP cost guide → MVP pricing → MVP for startups → MVP for business → Non-technical founders → MVP entrepreneurship
05
After launch
Launch your MVP → MVP to full product → Common mistakes to avoid
Understanding
Understanding MVPs — the essential reading.
Before you build anything, make sure you understand what an MVP actually is — and what it is not. These four pages cover the fundamentals:
- What is a minimum viable product? — the definitive guide to MVPs, covering definition, principles, types, and scoping
- MVP vs prototype — the critical difference between working software and a clickable design
- MVP examples — real products that started as MVPs: Airbnb, Dropbox, Buffer, Stripe, Uber, Spotify
- MVP product — what separates a good MVP product from a bad one, and how to make the right decisions
Planning
Planning your MVP — scope, features, design.
The planning phase determines everything. Get the scope right and the build is straightforward. Get it wrong and you waste months building features that did not need to exist yet.
- Idea to MVP — the complete journey from concept to build, including validation techniques
- Features to include — how to decide what goes in your MVP and what to leave out
- MVP product design — designing the user experience for validation, not decoration
- MVP project plan — structuring the build for maximum efficiency and minimum waste
- MVP methodology — the frameworks and approaches behind effective MVP development
Building
Building your MVP — process, tech, timeline.
Once the scope is defined, the build follows a structured process. These guides cover every aspect of the development phase:
- Build an MVP — from idea to working product in 8 weeks with Wall & Fifth
- How to build a minimum viable product — step-by-step guide with HowTo schema
- Our MVP process — the week-by-week breakdown of how we build
- Tech stack — why we use Next.js, React, TypeScript, and PostgreSQL
- Agile development — iterative MVP development with structured sprints
- Timeline — how long an MVP takes and what affects the timeline
Commercial
Commercial decisions — cost, pricing, audience.
The business side of MVP development — who it is for, what it costs, and how to make the investment decision:
- MVP cost guide — a detailed breakdown of what MVPs cost across different approaches and team types
- MVP pricing — Wall & Fifth's transparent, fixed-fee pricing: £16,000 and £30,000
- MVP for startups — startup-specific guidance for every stage from pre-seed to growth
- MVP for business — how established businesses use MVPs to test new digital products
- Non-technical founders — building an MVP without a technical background
- MVP entrepreneurship — why the MVP is the most important tool in entrepreneurship
FAQ
Questions people usually have before the next step feels obvious.
What is an MVP?
The simplest working version of a product that validates whether people want what you are building. Real code, real users, real data.
How much does it cost?
At Wall & Fifth, from £16,000 for 8 weeks. Industry-wide, £5,000–£200,000+ depending on complexity.
How long does it take?
8 weeks at Wall & Fifth. 6–12 weeks industry-wide for a well-scoped MVP.
What should an MVP include?
One user type, one workflow, one value proposition. Authentication, core functionality, minimal interface. Everything else after validation.
MVP vs prototype?
Prototype: clickable design, no real functionality. MVP: working software with real code, real data, real users.
Related pages
Ready
Stop reading.
Start building.
You have the knowledge. Now you need the product. Tell us what you are building and we will scope it, price it, and deliver it in 8 weeks.