You have a revolutionary idea but have no idea where to start to get it off the ground. You don’t want to be one of the 90% of startups that fail. A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) can save you from this. It is the simplest version of your product to test your assumptions while:
It’s like planning a mini product party where you’re inviting users to try out the first taste of what you're cooking.
Choosing the right development partner from the offset is crucial to ensure a smooth and effective launch. Finding yourself stuck with a partner who isn’t a good fit could result in:
So, let’s discuss your options to make your idea a reality. The right way.
Calling in the pros from a traditional software development agency to create your MVP typically takes approximately 2-6 months. They often get bogged down in lengthy planning phases, building your MVP from the ground up with heavy emphasis on customization.
They dive into many planning meetings, custom code every little detail, and take their time crafting your product. While you might end up with a shiny, well-tailored MVP, the process can be slow and expensive. The meticulous attention to detail, though admirable, can sometimes feel excessive, especially when you’re eager to get your idea off the ground quickly.
Before you embark on hiring freelance developers, it is vital to do a proper product scope. This is an intensive, structured process to look at your product vision from a business standpoint. Now you can identify the right person for the job. However, it’s not as easy as picking a name out of a hat.
Unlike traditional agencies, you can hire freelancers on an hourly or project basis, making them a more flexible and cost-effective option. They can jump in as a temporary team member, driving straight into the trenches with you to help shape your MVP.
But here’s the catch: managing freelancers is a hands-on experience. You’re not just hiring a person; you’re taking the role as part-time project manager. There’s a few vital points to consider when hiring freelancers.
If you’re a non-technical entrepreneur, how do you know if you can trust freelance developers to make the big decisions? You need someone with experience to choose the best option in regards to programming language and architecture. Keep an eye out for a developer who’s more interested in finding the right solution for you than in selling you their own skill set.
If you aren’t experienced in building and managing a team of freelance developers, it’s not easy. There are 12 developer archetypes to keep in mind to build a balanced team.
You may find the perfect team for your MVP and come to the realization they aren’t available for when you want them. Clear and concise communication is key to running a successful freelance team.
Your freelance developers must play by the rules when it comes to organizing and documenting their code. If they don’t, future developers on your team might end up scratching their heads trying to figure out what’s going on as your project grows.
Regardless of what industry-standard practices they use, they need to be consistent, use good architecture, and have maintainable code. Especially in the future when other developers are updating your product. Think of it like running a kitchen, you want every chef to follow the same recipe so that no matter who’s cooking, the dish comes out perfect every time.
Your project is going to grow up sooner or later. When you pick a developer, you’re choosing to work with one person. If you need more help later, you’ll have to start the whole hiring process from scratch.
Missed deadlines is a major issue when working with freelancers. It can be a real headache. It’s extremely difficult to make an accurate time estimate for software development.
A good technique for code quality assessment is giving the developer a simple task assignment. If all goes well, provide them with a more complex task. If they nail it, it’s time to decide if they’re a keeper. The technique is time-consuming but worth it to make sure you have the best team.
No-code platforms are tools that allow users to build applications without writing a single line of code, by using visual interfaces and pre-built components. For example, Webflow, Bubble, and Thunkable. However, even these platforms have their quirks. The most common are:
Finding your dream CTO (Chief Technical Officer) won’t be easy and could take many months and countless hours interviewing. You want someone who’s going to make your startup dreams sparkle. The whole point of building an MVP is to reduce your time-to-market so it can be tempting to commit to the first “okay” candidate you chat to. It’s important to remember, choosing your CTO is a major move for your startup, so choose wisely.
Here’s a checklist of the traits your perfect CTO should have:
At Verticode, we believe launching a startup MVP should be a breeze, not a marathon. Forget about sky-high development costs, endless timelines, and no-code platforms that compromise your intellectual property and make building your business feel overwhelming.
With our tools, we speed up MVP development, delivering projects up to 10 times faster than the industry norm. This means you get a wallet-friendly solution with complete code ownership where you’re free to tweak, twist, and evolve your product however you need, without any digital handcuffs holding you back.
In only 2 years, Verticode has launched over 50 MVPs with an average 2 week build time. This may frighten you but rest assured with our 5* Trust Pilot reviews you’re in safe hands.