Tiny MVPs That Convert
TL;DR: The best MVPs solve one tiny problem for a specific audience. Small scope, big impact, real revenue.
Platform dreams kill more startups than bad markets.
Why Tiny Wins
The platform trap: "We'll build the Uber for X" The reality: Users want solutions, not platforms
Tiny MVPs work because:
- Faster to build (weeks, not months)
- Easier to explain ("It does X")
- Clearer value proposition
- Lower competition
- Real people will pay real money
A tiny MVP that makes $1K/month beats a massive platform that makes $0.
The Tiny MVP Formula
One audience + One problem + One solution = Revenue
Examples:
❌ BAD: "Social platform for professionals" ✅ GOOD: "Daily standup updates that actually happen"
❌ BAD: "AI-powered productivity suite"
✅ GOOD: "Turn Slack messages into Notion tasks"
❌ BAD: "Marketplace for services" ✅ GOOD: "Find available babysitters in your neighborhood"
12 Tiny MVPs That Convert
1. Process Automation
Problem: Manual task that happens daily Example: Auto-post Instagram stories to LinkedIn Revenue model: $29/month subscription Build time: 2 weeks
2. Data Bridge
Problem: Information trapped in one system Example: Export Figma comments to Notion Revenue model: $5 per export Build time: 1 week
3. Alert System
Problem: Missing important changes Example: Get SMS when competitor changes pricing Revenue model: $19/month per alert Build time: 3 days
4. Quick Calculator
Problem: Complex math done repeatedly Example: Freelance project pricing calculator Revenue model: $49 one-time purchase Build time: 1 week
5. Template Generator
Problem: Starting from scratch every time Example: Legal contract generator for designers Revenue model: $99 per template Build time: 2 weeks
6. Status Dashboard
Problem: Checking multiple places for updates Example: All your social media metrics in one place Revenue model: $39/month Build time: 1 week
7. Simple Directory
Problem: Hard to find specific type of service Example: Shopify developers in your timezone Revenue model: $199 annual listing fee Build time: 3 days
8. Workflow Trigger
Problem: Forgetting to do important follow-ups Example: Remind to follow up 3 days after sales call Revenue model: $15/month Build time: 1 week
9. Format Converter
Problem: Files in wrong format Example: Convert Figma designs to React components Revenue model: $29 per conversion Build time: 2 weeks
10. Quick Booking
Problem: Too much back-and-forth scheduling Example: "Book my barber instantly" Revenue model: $3 per booking Build time: 1 week
11. Simple CRM
Problem: Losing track of leads Example: Follow up tracker for real estate agents Revenue model: $59/month Build time: 2 weeks
12. Micro-Marketplace
Problem: Can't find specific niche service Example: Logo designers who work over weekends Revenue model: 10% transaction fee Build time: 1 week
Case Study: The $500 Weekend MVP
The Problem: Shopify store owners couldn't quickly see which products weren't selling
The Solution: Simple dashboard showing "dead inventory" with actionable recommendations
The Build:
- Day 1: Shopify API integration
- Day 2: Basic analytics and UI
- Day 3: Add email alerts and pricing
The Revenue:
- Week 1: 5 signups at $29/month
- Month 1: 47 customers = $1,363 MRR
- Month 3: 127 customers = $3,683 MRR
The Key: Solved one specific pain point for a reachable audience (Shopify Facebook groups)
How to Scope Tiny
Start with a broad idea, then slice:
1. Pick your audience "Small business owners" → "Shopify store owners" → "Shopify store owners with 100+ products"
2. Pick their biggest pain "Inventory management" → "Knowing which products aren't selling" → "Getting alerts for dead inventory"
3. Pick the smallest solution "Full inventory suite" → "Dead inventory dashboard" → "Weekly email with 3 worst performers"
4. Pick the simplest tech "Custom analytics platform" → "Shopify app" → "Zapier + Google Sheets + Mailchimp"
The Revenue Reality Check
Before building anything, answer:
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Who exactly would pay for this? Name 10 specific people, not demographics.
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How much would they pay? Based on what they already spend on similar problems.
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How often would they pay? One-time, monthly, per-use, or transaction-based.
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Where do they hang out? Facebook groups, Reddit, Twitter, industry events, etc.
If you can't answer all four, scope down further.
The Tiny MVP Tech Stack
No-code options:
- Landing page: Carrd, Webflow
- Payments: Stripe Links, Gumroad
- Backend: Zapier, Airtable, Notion
- Hosting: Netlify, Vercel
Low-code options:
- Frontend: Next.js, React
- Backend: Supabase, Firebase
- Payments: Stripe
- Auth: Auth0, Clerk
The rule: Use the simplest tool that works. You can always rebuild later.
Launch Week Strategy
Monday: Deploy and test everything Tuesday: Post in 3 relevant communities Wednesday: Email your network Thursday: Post on Twitter/LinkedIn Friday: Collect feedback and iterate Weekend: Plan week 2 improvements
Don't wait for perfect. Ship and improve.
FAQ
Q: How do I know if my MVP is too small? A: If people won't pay $20+ for it, it's probably too small. If it takes 6+ months to build, it's too big.
Q: What if someone builds the same thing? A: Good. Competition validates the market. Focus on execution, not the idea.
Q: Should I build multiple tiny MVPs? A: Only if the first one is profitable and running automatically. Focus beats diversification.
Ready to build tiny?
We specialize in tiny MVPs that generate real revenue. No platform fantasies, just profitable solutions.
Quick Build ($750) • Full Sprint ($7,500)
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