5 Lessons We Learned from Shipping 3 MVPs in 3 Months

Shipping an MVP is often touted as the holy grail for indie hackers and solo founders. But after our recent experience of launching three MVPs in just three months, we realized that the process is far from simple. Here are five hard-earned lessons that we picked up along the way.

1. Start with a Problem, Not a Solution

When we kicked off our first MVP, we were excited about a cool feature we thought everyone would love. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. We quickly learned that starting with a solution instead of a problem is a recipe for failure.

What We Did

For our second and third MVPs, we focused on validating the problem first. We spent time interviewing potential users, understanding their pain points, and refining our ideas based on real feedback.

Actionable Tip

Before you start building, spend at least a week conducting user interviews. Use tools like Typeform for surveys ($0-35/mo) or Calendly for scheduling ($0-15/mo) to gather insights.

2. Keep It Simple (Stupid)

Our first MVP was bloated with features we thought were essential. The result? A long development timeline and a confused user base.

What We Did

For our subsequent MVPs, we adopted a "less is more" approach. We identified the core functionality that would solve the problem and focused solely on that.

Actionable Tip

Use a prioritization framework like the MoSCoW method (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have) to trim down features. Tools like AirTable ($0-10/mo) can help you organize this.

3. Build, Measure, Learn – Repeat

In our first attempt, we launched the MVP and waited for feedback. This led to a frustratingly long cycle of guessing what users wanted.

What We Did

We adopted an iterative approach. After each launch, we gathered user feedback and made incremental improvements.

Actionable Tip

Implement a feedback loop using tools like Hotjar ($0-89/mo) for heatmaps and user behavior analytics, which helped us understand how users interacted with our product.

4. Don't Skip the Marketing

We assumed that once we built it, users would come flocking. They didn’t.

What We Did

For our later MVPs, we allocated time and budget for marketing from day one. We used social media, content marketing, and even cold outreach to build an initial user base.

Actionable Tip

Set aside at least 20% of your time for marketing activities. Tools like Buffer ($0-15/mo) can help you manage social media posts efficiently.

5. Expect to Pivot

Our first MVP was a complete flop, and we realized that the market had shifted since we started.

What We Did

Instead of holding onto our original idea, we pivoted quickly based on the feedback and data we collected.

Actionable Tip

Have a clear pivot strategy in place. Use a framework like the Lean Startup methodology to guide your decisions.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re just starting out, focus on identifying a real problem, keep your MVP simple, and invest time in marketing. The goal isn’t to create the perfect product but to learn quickly and iterate based on user feedback.

What We Actually Use

• Typeform for surveys
• AirTable for feature prioritization
• Hotjar for user feedback
• Buffer for social media management

By following these lessons, you can avoid many of the pitfalls we encountered. Remember, shipping is just the beginning—learning is the key to success.