In the dynamic world of startups, speed can be your golden ticket. Being the first to launch often means leading the race. Yet, developing a full-end product from scratch can be a risky endeavor.
That is where MVP development services for startups come into the game! In other words, this solution is your tool to test the waters before diving in too deep.
Are you ready to discover more? We would like to explore three MVP development approaches:
- no-code tools,
- pre-made solutions,
- or custom code.
The choice of that or another approach significantly depends on your budget, goals, and time constraints. So, let’s not put it off and find out together which approach fits your startup.
Why Should We Build Digital Products?
However, before we start discovering those approaches, we’d like you to understand why we need to build digital products in the first place. You can be surprised, but everything is easy.
It’s about meeting user needs, whether it’s a streaming app, a food delivery service, or a planning software tool. The question is how to build these products efficiently. That’s the question we want to tackle in this article. Ready, steady, go!
The Three Development Paths: No-code, Pre-made, Or Custom
And again, remember that building an MVP is a smart move. The full-cycle development is worth implementing when you have already tested the target audience, product’s usefulness, and profitability.
In simple words, it helps identify whether your product aligns with market needs. The strategies to develop an MVP and later scale it into a complete full-end product are different, as we have already mentioned: using no-code tools, benefiting from pre-made solutions, or writing custom code.
Every startup is unique. That is why there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is just impossible. However, it will be easier for you to choose the right fit for your product when you understand the details and pros and cons of each.
So, we invite you on a journey of discovering more about these three strategies and their advantages and downsides.
No-code Solutions
If you do not have any technical background and lack the time and resources to look for other options, no-code frameworks are a great choice for you. You still get a great functionality.
Moreover, such frameworks offer different tools with user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop functions. It makes it really easy to bring your business logic to life.
The most common explanation of the no-code approach is a non-technical implementation of full-fledged applications without prior coding knowledge.
Sounds promising, don’t you think? But there’s a catch. This approach can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your situation.
Let’s discover the advantages of the no-code approach:
- Quick app development with pre-built modules and a drag-and-drop interface.
- Automated testing reduces time, resources, and effort.
What about the disadvantages of no-code?
- Varying features and limitations across different no-code platforms.
- Constraints may hinder adding unique features, requiring costly alternatives.
That’s why building an MVP with no code is ideal for you when:
- You lack programming experience.
- You are pressed for time.
- You need a quick and efficient market response.
- You don’t need rich functionality.
Even though no-code is great for MVPs, it might still limit you as your product grows. With time, it will require more functionality and unique features.
Pre-made solutions and CMS
The second approach is about involving and benefiting from existing pre-made solutions. Such technologies include Content Management Systems (CMS), open-source solutions, libraries, and other tools.
An interesting thing about them is that they perfectly fit both end-users and experienced software developers.
One example of such a framework is Shopify. It is a great tool that offers ease for end-users to manage templates in order to craft their very first MVP.
However, software development expertise can bring deeper customization and integration into the product. In any case, it is another great way to launch your MVP.
The most important advantages of pre-made solutions are:
- They become suitable for typical projects in terms of time and cost efficiency.
- Fast and efficient development, which is crucial for MVPs.
Let’s look at the disadvantages of pre-made solutions:
- Unique requirements will face limited customization and complexity options.
- When you need complex functionality, it can become expensive and inconvenient.
Building an MVP with pre-made solutions is really fitting when:
- Your project is typical, and the specifications and requirements are clear.
- You will not need extensive customization later.
- Your project doesn’t involve a unique workflow.
If you are in need of fast, efficient, and budget-friendly MVP solutions, pre-made solutions are the pick.
Custom Development
This type of approach involves cooperation with a team of programmers and IT experts. This time, you won’t be able to tackle everything yourself.
Your main task is to find a reliable IT partner to help you with creating software tailored to your specific needs.
When you need interior design, what kind of specialist do you contact? And when you are in need of building a house, do you hire specialists to build a reliable and durable one for you? The same goes for MVPs for startups.
Of course, it will cost more than other options, but you will get precisely what you need.
So, what are the advantages of custom development?
- There are no limits for implementation.
- It is much easier to switch from MVP to a full product as well as scale it up.
- IT specialists can create an integrated ecosystem with various applications and systems in it.
Don’t be surprised that there are disadvantages of custom development:
- It is the longest process compared to no-code or pre-made solutions.
- Initially, it requires higher costs due to thorough planning and development from scratch.
Nevertheless, building an MVP with custom software is the right choice when:
- You need a completely unique workflow for your product.
- The project you are building requires flexibility and integration with other services.
- It is essential for you to have full ownership and control of the product.
What do you need to consider when choosing a development approach? Overall cost, time, expertise, and resource availability.
Conclusion: Wrapping things up
The approach you choose depends on your circumstances, skills, resources, and goals. Whether it’s no-code, pre-made, or custom development, the key is to launch a functional MVP.
It’s about taking the first step to validate your idea, gather feedback, and change everything to polish your final product.
Remember, building an MVP is not just about technology; it’s about understanding your audience, market trends, and changing needs.
