Ship It: The MVP Launch Checklist

The goal of an MVP isn't a product. It's evidence — the cheapest thing you can build that produces a real yes or no. This is the checklist we use to get there without disappearing for six months.

Before you write a line of code

• Name the one problem you're solving, in a single sentence a stranger understands.
• Find 5 real people who have this problem. Talk to them before building.
• Define "done" for v1 — the smallest thing that delivers the core value. Cut everything else.
• Write the landing page first. If you can't describe it, you're not ready to build it.
• Pick how you'll measure success — one number that proves people want it.

Build

• Choose boring, proven tools. Novelty is a tax you pay later. Ship on what you know.
• Timebox the build to 2–4 weeks. A deadline forces scope discipline.
• Fake the hard parts. Manual back-end, no-code glue, "concierge" onboarding — automate only what hurts.
• Instrument from day one. Analytics and error tracking go in before launch, not after.

Reality check: If your MVP doesn't slightly embarrass you, you shipped too late. Done and learning beats polished and theoretical.

The legal & trust layer (don't skip)

• Legal pages live — legal notice, privacy policy, and terms; GDPR-aware if you have EU users.
• A real contact route — email or form people can actually reach.
• HTTPS + a domain you own, not a free subdomain. Credibility is cheap here.
• Know where data lives. Your host and your CDN/DNS are different things — say which is which in your privacy policy.

Launch

• Soft-launch to your 5 people and fix the obvious before going wide.
• Write the launch post: what it is, who it's for, one clear call to action.
• Pick 2 channels, not 10. Go deep where your audience already is.
• Have feedback capture ready — a form, a DM line, anything — to catch reactions while they're hot.

The day after

• Read every reply. The first 20 users tell you what to build next.
• Ship one improvement fast. Momentum is a feature.
• Decide: persevere or pivot — based on the number you chose, not your feelings.

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