Founder's Checklist: What to Look for in an MVP Development Service

In 2025, non-technical startup founders can launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) without writing a single line of code, thanks to the maturing ecosystem of no-code platforms. With such powerful tools at your fingertips, having a structured MVP development checklist is more important than ever. It keeps your product lean, reduces time to market, minimises risk, and ensures that what you’re building truly solves a real problem.

This 6-step guide is crafted for founders without a technical background. It walks you through everything from defining your product’s core problem to launching a user-ready MVP that’s functional, testable, and market-aware.

Why MVPs Are Critical for Non-Tech Startup Founders

An MVP is your launchpad not a stripped-down version of your dream product, but a focused solution that tests assumptions, validates demand, and attracts early users without wasting resources.

Many successful startups began with lean MVPs to validate their ideas before scaling. With no-code tools reducing development barriers, you can now move from idea to testable product faster than ever.

But moving fast doesn’t mean rushing blindly. A strategic MVP development checklist ensures you’re solving the right problem with the right features, avoiding overbuilds and costly missteps. A well-built MVP saves time, attracts early feedback, builds trust through usability, and lays the groundwork for scale.

Ready to break it down?

The 6-Step MVP Development Checklist for Founders

Step 1: Define Your MVP’s Core Problem and Audience

The first step in MVP development is identifying what problem you're solving and who you're solving it for.

Start by using surveys or direct interviews to gather insight. Ask potential users questions like:

• What’s your biggest challenge in [your niche]?
• What solutions are you currently using?
• What do you wish those solutions did better?

For example, if a founder discovers through feedback that remote teams struggle with asynchronous updates, that insight becomes the foundation for an MVP focused on seamless team status tracking.

Next, validate your findings through competitor analysis. Explore similar solutions on platforms like Product Hunt or G2. Look for gaps in features, UX issues, or customer complaints. This analysis sharpens your MVP scope and helps you differentiate from day one.

Step 2: Prioritise Must-Have Features with a Matrix

When building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), it’s easy to get tempted by all the shiny features available. However, adding too many features from the start can slow down your launch, confuse users, and stretch your resources. 

Instead of focusing on everything you could add, focus on what will make the most immediate impact. Your MVP should solve a specific problem clearly and efficiently.

If your primary goal is to increase conversions, start with features that directly support that outcome. For example, product customisation tools allow users to personalise their purchases, which tends to increase both engagement and average order value. 

At the same time, it’s best to avoid complex features such as AI-driven product recommendations in the early stages. These typically require more time and resources and provide less value unless your store already has significant traffic.

To keep your MVP lean and impactful:

• Identify your core problem. Is it a low average order value (AOV), poor retention, or friction during the checkout process?
• Choose one or two features that directly solve that problem. For example, if checkout abandonment is an issue, implement a one-page checkout using Shopify Pay or PayPal.
• Launch quickly and test. Gather feedback, refine the features, and expand only after confirming what works.

Let’s break down some common features and how to think about them:

Product customisation tools are high-impact and low-effort. They let customers personalise items like jewellery or apparel, boosting average order value (AOV) and creating a more engaging shopping experience. Tools like Customily or Zakeke make it easy to add personalization options with minimal technical setup.

Optimised checkout flows help reduce cart abandonment. A simplified checkout experience, especially with guest checkout and fast payment options, makes it easier for users to complete purchases. This setup can typically be implemented in a day or two using lightweight plugins or no-code tools.

Abandoned cart emails are a proven way to recover lost revenue. Platforms like Klaviyo or Mailchimp allow you to send automated reminders to users who left items in their carts. While setup may take slightly longer, the return on investment is consistently strong.

Social media integrations, like linking Instagram or TikTok to your product pages, can boost visibility and drive traffic. However, they don’t always lead to immediate conversions and should be considered secondary to core MVP features.

Loyalty programs, powered by apps like Smile.io, are great for long-term retention but often require more planning and a larger user base to be effective, making them better suited for post-MVP scaling.

AI-powered product recommendations may sound impressive, but they usually require large datasets and traffic volumes to be effective. Tools like LimeSpot or Wiser are powerful but are best introduced after your MVP has validated core user needs.

In Summary:

• Start with product customisation and optimised checkout. These are your quick wins that boost conversions with minimal effort.
• Introduce abandoned cart emails once you have traffic—they consistently deliver high returns.
• Hold off on social media integrations, loyalty programs, and AI tools until your core offer is validated and you're ready to scale.

When building your MVP, avoid bulky features that slow down performance or require weeks to implement, especially if they don't directly support your initial value proposition. The goal is to launch fast, gather real feedback, and improve iteratively.

Build lean. Launch smart. Improve based on what matters.

Suggested Reads: MVP Development Roadmap

Step 3: Build a Prototype with No-Code Tools

Prototyping your MVP is like sketching a coffee shop layout before construction; it gives you a clear sense of how your product will function without requiring a major investment upfront. Instead of jumping straight into development, you can use visual tools to map out product pages, user flows, and customization options.

Tools like Figma and Balsamiq allow you to create interactive mockups and clickable wireframes. For instance, you might design a drag-and-drop product customizer to test if users find it intuitive before committing to full development with tools like Customily.

This approach reduces risk, saves time and money, and keeps your launch focused on what matters most: user experience and feedback.

No-code platforms such as Bubble and Webflow make prototyping even faster. Bubble’s drag-and-drop interface helps you design fully functional web apps without writing a single line of code. Webflow enables responsive website creation with powerful visual control.

For example, a skincare startup used Bubble to build a prototype of its customizable product kit in just two days. They tested core pages and flows with users, collected feedback, and refined the design, saving weeks of unnecessary development.

To illustrate further, imagine a pet supply brand aiming to offer custom-designed collars. They used Figma to prototype a simple personalisation flow and had early testers interact with it. This allowed them to spot confusing elements and usability issues before building the actual product.

Prototyping ensures your MVP is lean, focused, and user-driven. It’s a low-cost way to validate your idea and confirm you’re building something your audience wants, not just what you assume they need.

Step 4: Develop Your MVP with F22Labs 

Once your prototype is validated, the next step is to bring your MVP to life. This phase is where design meets execution and where speed, clarity, and the right team can make all the difference.

Whether you're launching a marketplace, SaaS tool, or custom solution, building out your MVP quickly and efficiently is essential. And that's where MVP Development Services becomes invaluable. These services help non-technical founders turn prototypes into real, user-ready products without unnecessary complexity or delays.

F22 Labs specialises in startup-focused MVP Development Services that prioritise speed, alignment, and clarity. Their team uses agile frameworks to ship fast while ensuring every feature aligns with your core problem-solution fit. You stay involved through real-time updates via Slack and shared tracking tools like Notion, eliminating the communication gaps that derail many outsourced builds.

For example, a founder who prototyped a personalised product experience in Figma can rely on F22 Labs to translate that into a working MVP with responsive layouts, clean interfaces, and solid backend structure, all optimised for early-stage testing and iteration.

To fine-tune performance and speed post-launch, tools like Google Tag Manager can be used to streamline analytics scripts, ensuring your product stays fast and responsive without technical debt.

Choosing the right partner for development can mean the difference between endless delays and a smooth, data-driven launch. With F22 Labs, you get a team that understands the startup mindset and builds accordingly.

Step 5: Test and Collect User Feedback

Testing your MVP is like sampling a new coffee blend before putting it on the menu. You want to know what customers think before investing further. Invite a small group of early users, ideally between five and ten, to interact with your store.

This testing phase helps validate market fit and uncover usability issues. For instance, if users struggle to complete the checkout process or can’t find a customisation feature, now is the time to catch it. Use tools like Hotjar to view heatmaps and understand where users are clicking or getting stuck. 

For direct feedback, create a simple form using Google Forms or Typeform. One of the best questions you can ask is, “What nearly made you leave the site?” Honest answers here can spark meaningful improvements.

Once you launch to a wider group, say 50 to 100 beta users, use platforms like Product Hunt or your social media channels to distribute access. Monitor key metrics using Shopify Analytics or Google Analytics. Pay attention to bounce rate, time on site, and cart abandonment. 

Also, be sure to test page speed regularly to ensure your site loads in under 2.5 seconds. This speed threshold is critical for keeping users engaged and reducing drop-offs.

Step 6: Iterate and Plan for Scale

After your MVP is live and feedback is coming in, the next step is refinement. Focus on resolving the most common user complaints first. These often include confusing menus, slow page loads, or missing features. Fixing these early ensures that you retain users and gain their trust.

To prepare for scaling, evaluate your tech stack. Set long cache lifetimes for static files like images and scripts to improve load speed. Monitor site performance weekly using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. Once your sales approach $500,000 annually, it may be time to upgrade to Shopify Plus. This version of Shopify offers advanced tools that support higher traffic and transaction volumes.

Founders like those behind Allbirds and Gymshark started with very basic Shopify MVPs. They kept the experience simple, listened to feedback, and grew based on what customers wanted. Allbirds launched with just one sneaker style. Gymshark began with a minimal fitness product offering. Both scaled their businesses by continuously improving their MVPs based on real user data.

Essential Tools for Non-Tech Founders

There are a variety of no-code platforms and lightweight tools that non-technical founders can use to build and scale their MVPs. Bubble and Webflow allow you to visually create websites and web apps. Figma and Balsamiq are perfect for designing wireframes and mockups. Shopify is your foundation for launching a functioning store. Once live, use Google Analytics and Shopify’s performance dashboard to monitor usage.

To keep your store fast, tools like TinyIMG compress images without sacrificing quality. Google Tag Manager helps manage tracking codes efficiently. And for collecting feedback, Google Forms and Typeform provide simple, effective solutions. Use Google PageSpeed Insights weekly to monitor and improve your site’s load performance.

With these tools, even non-tech founders can launch a polished MVP that performs well, collects meaningful feedback, and lays the foundation for future growth.

FAQs

Launch Your MVP in 2025

Don’t let a lack of tech skills hold you back; your startup’s MVP is within reach in 2025! Follow this 6-step checklist to build a lean, Shopify-friendly MVP that validates your idea and delights early users. Ready to turn your idea into a testable MVP? Start lean, test early, and scale fast with the right development partner. Contact Us!