If you’re a first-time founder, or just dreaming of starting a digital product, chances are you’ve come across the term MVP (Minimum Viable Product). But now there’s another term floating around – MLP (Minimum Lovable Product). What’s the difference? And more importantly, which one should you focus on first when building your startup?
Let’s break it down, founder-to-founder style. No tech jargon, just straight talk.
What is an MVP? (Minimum Viable Product)
An MVP is the simplest version of your product that works. It’s about taking your idea, identifying a problem, and building a potential solution to test that idea. Think of it as your starting point to discover and validate whether your product solves a real problem.
Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, put it best: “If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product – you launched too late.”
For example, Netflix’s MVP wasn’t the streaming giant we know today. It started with DVDs shipped through the mail. Airbnb began with renting out spare beds. Deliveroo’s early days involved users placing orders on a website, followed by operators calling restaurants to make those orders.
What to focus on during the MVP phase:
➡️ Bare minimum functionality: Keep it simple. No bells and whistles, just the essentials to test your core idea.
➡️ Fast to build: Aim for a release within 8-12 weeks. If your core functionality doesn’t fit this timeline, rethink and simplify.
➡️ Testing the idea: Your goal is to validate assumptions. It’s okay if it’s not perfect or viral. The point is to test and learn.
What is an MLP? (Minimum Lovable Product)
An MLP takes your validated MVP and transforms it into something people love. It’s about building on the foundation of your MVP to create a product that delights users, making them loyal fans and ambassadors.
Using the bike-sharing app example: Once you’ve tested the core functionality, the MLP stage might include features like personalized preferences, scenic route recommendations, and an intuitive, sleek design. It’s not just about solving a problem anymore—it’s about making the experience delightful.
What to focus on during the MLP phase:
➡️ Emotional connection with users: Make people excited about your product.
➡️ Polished design and experience: Once the problem is solved, customers notice the details.
➡️ Building loyalty: Turn your users into advocates by creating a product they love to recommend.
Key Differences (Side-by-Side)
| Feature | MVP – Minimum Viable Product | MLP – Minimum Lovable Product |
| Purpose | Test if the idea works | Make users fall in love |
| Development Speed | Fast (8-12 weeks) | Takes longer |
| Design | Basic, functional | Sleek, intuitive |
| User Emotion | Neutral – solves a problem | Positive – creates excitement |
| Cost | Lower | Higher upfront investment |
| Goal | Validate concept | Build customer loyalty |
Which One Should You Build First?
Answer: Start with an MVP. Always.
It’s tempting to aim for a polished product right away, but MVPs help you:
- Validate Assumptions: Think of Henry Ford’s famous quote: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” An MVP helps you understand what customers need through real-world feedback.
- Reduce Risk: If no one wants what you’re offering, you’ve saved time and money by not overinvesting.
- Iterate Faster: An MVP gives you the foundation to learn, adapt, and grow into an MLP.
In highly saturated markets, there are cases where companies go straight to MLP. For example, Tesla’s electric cars couldn’t afford to be basic because they entered a competitive market dominated by polished products. However, for most startups, starting with an MVP is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out, don’t get caught up in making everything perfect from day one. Launching fast with an MVP lets you learn, adjust, and grow. Once you know your product solves a real problem, you can shift gears and make it lovable.
At Wecraft Media, we’ve helped dozens of founders take their MVPs to market quickly, and then scale to MLPs that users rave about. If you’re ready to turn your idea into reality, let’s talk.
Remember: First, make it work. Then, make them love it.
