Build an MVP That People Can Actually Use

Here's what we're hearing from founders trying to build their first version

No-code tools are too limited for your concept. Bubble and Airtable are great for simple CRUD apps. But your idea has complex workflows, specific user interactions, or features that no-code platforms just can't handle. You need real code, but hiring developers is $150K+/year.

AI code generators ship fast but produce unusable products. You tried v0, Loveable, and Bolt. They generate features quickly, but the UX is terrible. Forms don't guide users. Error states confuse people. Workflows that make sense to you are incomprehensible to actual users. You can't validate demand if users can't figure out how to use it.

You're stuck between "too slow" and "too broken". Custom agencies quote $50-100K and 3-6 months. AI generators ship in days but produce garbage UX. No-code works but limits your concept. You need something in between: fast enough to validate, good enough that people can actually use it.

You know UX matters for validation but you're not a designer. You're technical enough to understand architecture. Or business-minded enough to understand market fit. But you can't design interfaces that feel intuitive. Every founder says "just ship it" until they watch real users struggle with their MVP.

Here's how we solve it

We build MVPs with one goal: help you validate demand as quickly as possible with UX good enough that users can actually test your concept.

Not feature-complete products. We're building just enough to test your core assumptions. The interface works well. The flows make sense. Users can complete tasks without confusion. That's the bar for validation.

Not AI-generated chaos. We design the user experience intentionally. Every workflow is thought through. Error states guide users. Onboarding teaches the product. This takes time, but it's the difference between validating and wasting months on a confusing product.

UX-first approach to MVP development

Most developers build features and add UX later. We start with user flows and build features that fit them. The result: products users can figure out without documentation. That's critical for validation.

Built for learning, not scaling

We're not building for 100K users. We're building for 50-500 early adopters who will tell you what's working. The architecture is good enough to prove demand, then you rebuild properly (or hire us for that too).

Opinionated about what to include

You probably have 20 features in your head. We help you identify the 5-7 that actually test your core hypothesis. Fewer features, better UX, faster validation. More features come after you prove demand.

Designed to evolve based on feedback

MVPs change. We build with that assumption. Clean code, clear structure, easy to modify. When users tell you what they actually need (vs. what you thought), pivoting is fast.

Real-world example

MVP Development

4 weeks

Real Estate Technology

Building Nekst Directory: A Two-Sided Marketplace MVP for Real Estate Professionals

Nekst.com

A real estate transaction platform needed a professional directory to connect agents with qualified transaction coordinators, admins, and service providers while maintaining quality through vetted profiles.

Time to Market

4 weeks from concept to launch

Rapid MVP development to test market demand

Quality Control

Admin approval workflow

Built-in vetting process to maintain high professional standards

Foundation for Growth

Scalable architecture

Designed for expansion based on early user feedback

What's included

Discovery & Validation Planning:

• Core hypothesis identification (what are we actually testing?)
• User flow mapping (how should people accomplish goals?)
• Feature prioritization (what's essential vs. nice-to-have)
• Competitive research (what UX patterns work in your space)
• Technical feasibility review

UX Design & User Flows:

• Wireframes for core flows (registration, main actions, key features)
• Interface design (intentional, not AI-generated randomness)
• Onboarding experience (users learn your product as they use it)
• Error states and edge cases (users know what went wrong and how to fix it)
• Mobile responsiveness (most early users will try on mobile)

Development & Implementation:

• Full-stack development (frontend + backend + database)
• Authentication and user management
• Core feature implementation (5-7 features max)
• Basic analytics integration (track what users actually do)
• Deployment and hosting setup

Validation Support:

• Beta testing strategy (how to recruit and structure feedback)
• Key metrics to track (what tells you if this is working)
• Iteration plan (how to evolve based on what you learn)
• Code handoff (clean, documented, ready to extend)

Timeline:

• Week 1: Discovery and UX design
• Weeks 2-4: Core development
• Weeks 5-6: Testing, refinement, and launch

How it works

Step 1: Define What We're Testing (Week 1) — We start with your hypothesis, not your feature list. What assumption needs to be true for this to work? Then we map the user journey that tests that assumption. This becomes the scope. Everything else is noise.

Step 2: Design the Core Experience (Week 1-2) — We design the critical flows first. Registration and onboarding (users' first impression). The main action (the value you're providing). The moment of delight (what makes this better than alternatives). Get these right, everything else follows.

Step 3: Build the Essentials (Weeks 2-5) — We build only what's needed to test your hypothesis. Clean architecture, intentional UX, proper error handling. You'll see progress weekly. We prioritize features that validate assumptions over features that "would be cool to have."

Step 4: Launch and Learn (Week 6) — We help you recruit beta users and structure feedback collection. You're not launching to the world. You're launching to 50-100 people who want to help shape the product. Their feedback tells you what to build next.

Pricing

$15,000 - $25,000 for most validation-stage MVPs

What affects pricing

Lower end ($15-18K):

• Single-sided product (one user type)
• 5-7 core features
• Standard authentication
• No complex integrations
• Straightforward data model
• Example: SaaS tool, content platform, simple marketplace

Mid-range ($18-22K):

• Two-sided product (buyers and sellers, etc.)
• 7-10 core features
• Payment integration (Stripe)
• 1-2 third-party integrations
• More complex user permissions
• Example: Marketplace, booking platform, collaboration tool

Higher end ($22-25K):

• Multi-sided platform
• 10-12 core features
• Real-time functionality (chat, notifications)
• Complex workflow logic
• Multiple integrations
• Example: Team coordination tools, workflow automation, complex marketplaces

Compare to other options

No-code platforms:

• Cost: $0-500/month
• Speed: 1-2 weeks
• Limitation: Can't handle complex concepts
• Best for: Simple CRUD validation

AI code generators (v0, Loveable):

• Cost: $20-100/month
• Speed: 1-3 days
• Limitation: Poor UX, inconsistent, hard to modify
• Best for: Quick prototypes, not real validation

Custom development agency:

• Cost: $50-100K
• Speed: 3-6 months
• Limitation: Too expensive and slow for validation
• Best for: Post-validation builds

Our approach:

• Cost: $15-25K
• Speed: 4-6 weeks
• Strength: Fast enough to validate, good enough UX to actually test
• Best for: Complex concepts that need proper UX

Monthly subscription alternative

Rather build gradually while you're still refining the concept? Our monthly subscription ($5-8K/month) works for MVPs built over 2-3 months with ongoing iteration.

Questions for founders

Think through these before we talk. They help us understand if you're ready to build and what to prioritize:

Have you validated the problem exists? We're building a solution. You should have evidence people have the problem. Talked to 20+ potential users? Seen them struggle with current options? If you're still testing problem fit, you might not be ready yet.

Why can't no-code tools handle this? Specifically, what limitations are you hitting? Complex workflows? Real-time features? Specific integrations? This helps us understand the technical requirements.

What's the one thing users must be able to do? Not three things. One. If users can do this one thing well, is that enough to validate demand? That becomes the MVP scope. Everything else is iteration.

How will you recruit beta users? Do you have an audience? A network in the space? A way to reach 50-100 early adopters? MVPs need users to test with. We can help with strategy, but you need some access to potential users.

What's your timeline and budget? Most MVPs are $15-25K and take 4-6 weeks. If that doesn't work, let's discuss phasing the work or adjusting scope. Better to build less well than more poorly.

Frequently asked questionsFAQ

How is this different from the MVP Rebuild use case?

Why not just use v0 or Loveable for initial validation?

Can't I just hire a freelance developer cheaper?

What if we need to pivot after launch?

Do you help with the business model and pricing?

What happens if we can't get traction?