MVP Launch Checklist
The complete checklist for planning, building, and launching your minimum viable product. Used by 100+ founders.
Your Progress
0 of 29 completed
Check off items as you complete them.
Idea Validation
Validate your idea before building
Define the problem you're solving
Clearly articulate the pain point your product addresses
- • Interview 10+ potential users
- • Write a one-sentence problem statement
- • Quantify the impact of the problem
Identify your target audience
Know exactly who will use and pay for your product
- • Create detailed user personas
- • Define demographics and behaviors
- • Identify where they spend time online
Research competitors
Understand the competitive landscape
- • List direct and indirect competitors
- • Identify gaps in their solutions
- • Define your unique value proposition
Validate willingness to pay
Confirm people will actually pay for your solution
- • Pre-sell to early adopters
- • Get letters of intent
- • Test pricing with surveys
Planning & Scope
Define what to build for your MVP
List all potential features
Brainstorm everything your product could do
- • Don't filter yet - list everything
- • Include nice-to-haves
- • Get input from potential users
Prioritize to core features only
Cut down to the minimum needed to deliver value
- • Use MoSCoW method
- • Ask: "Can we launch without this?"
- • Aim for 3-5 core features max
Define success metrics
Know how you'll measure if the MVP works
- • Set specific, measurable goals
- • Define what "validated" means
- • Plan how to collect feedback
Set budget and timeline
Be realistic about resources
- • Add 20% buffer for unknowns
- • Consider build vs buy decisions
- • Factor in marketing costs
Design & UX
Create the user experience
Map user flows
Document how users will navigate your product
- • Start with the happy path
- • Include signup/onboarding
- • Map error states too
Create wireframes
Sketch out the basic layout of key screens
- • Keep it simple - boxes and text
- • Focus on functionality
- • Test with users before designing
Design key screens
Create the visual design for your product
- • Use a design system
- • Prioritize mobile or desktop first
- • Keep branding minimal for MVP
Plan onboarding flow
Make it easy for new users to get started
- • Minimize signup friction
- • Show value quickly
- • Include progress indicators
Development
Build your MVP
Choose technology stack
Select the right tools for your needs
- • Consider developer availability
- • Choose proven technologies
- • Think about scalability later
Set up development environment
Configure your development infrastructure
- • Use version control (Git)
- • Set up staging environment
- • Configure CI/CD pipeline
Build core features
Develop the prioritized feature set
- • Start with the riskiest feature
- • Ship incrementally
- • Get feedback throughout
Implement authentication
Set up user accounts securely
- • Use established auth providers
- • Implement password reset
- • Consider social login
Set up analytics
Track user behavior from day one
- • Add event tracking
- • Track key user actions
- • Set up conversion funnels
Testing & QA
Ensure quality before launch
Test all user flows
Verify the complete user experience works
- • Test happy paths and edge cases
- • Test on multiple devices
- • Check error handling
Conduct user testing
Get real users to try your product
- • Recruit 5-10 testers
- • Watch them use it live
- • Note confusion points
Fix critical bugs
Address issues that block core functionality
- • Prioritize by impact
- • Document known issues
- • Plan fixes for post-launch
Test payment flow
If applicable, verify payments work correctly
- • Test with real cards in test mode
- • Verify receipts and confirmations
- • Test refund process
Launch Preparation
Get ready to go live
Set up production environment
Configure your live hosting
- • Choose reliable hosting
- • Set up SSL certificate
- • Configure backups
Set up monitoring
Know when something breaks
- • Set up error tracking
- • Configure uptime monitoring
- • Set up alerts
Create launch content
Prepare marketing materials
- • Write launch announcement
- • Prepare social posts
- • Draft email to list
Set up support channels
Be ready to help users
- • Set up support email
- • Create FAQ page
- • Plan response times
Deploy to production
Push your code live!
- • Deploy during low-traffic hours
- • Have rollback plan ready
- • Monitor closely after deploy
Post-Launch
After you launch
Announce your launch
Tell the world about your product
- • Post on social media
- • Email your list
- • Share in relevant communities
Collect user feedback
Learn what works and what doesn't
- • Send surveys to users
- • Monitor support requests
- • Watch analytics data
Plan next iteration
Use learnings to improve
- • Prioritize based on feedback
- • Plan quick wins first
- • Schedule next release
Need Help Building Your MVP?
Let's turn your checklist into a launched product. Book a free consultation to discuss your idea.