Rethinking MVPs
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My view on MVPs has shifted. The first feature shouldn’t be sign-up or dashboards it should be payment. If people are willing to pay, you have a business. If not, you don’t. Sometimes an MVP is just a landing page with a clear offer, good storytelling, and a payment link.
https://youtube.com/shorts/NbPJohGSAZc
Outline
- Why payment should be the first feature
- Money as the strongest validation
- Pre-orders and trust signals
- When a landing page is enough
- Cutting down time from idea to iteration
Why Payment Should Be the First Feature
An MVP doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles. The most important test is: will someone pay for it? Accepting payments, even before building the full product, validates that there’s real demand. Without money, you don’t have a business.
Money as the Strongest Validation
Money is the best signal that you’re providing value. If people pre-order, it means they trust you either because of your reputation, your storytelling, or the way you’ve presented the solution. That’s stronger than any survey or “interest check.”
Pre-Orders and Trust Signals
A good MVP can simply collect pre-orders. Customers may not even need the full product yet. What matters is whether they believe enough in what you’re offering to commit financially. That trust is what buys you time to iterate and deliver.
When a Landing Page Is Enough
Sometimes the MVP is just a simple landing page. It explains what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. Add a payment link or lead capture form, and you’re live. That drastically cuts down the time between idea and iteration.
Cutting Down Time from Idea to Iteration
Too often, early efforts go into naming, logos, or branding. None of that matters if no one pays. Instead, buy a domain, spin up a landing page, enable payments, and start capturing leads. That’s how you learn fast and avoid wasted time.
