Smerdoff
Smerdoff / First product version

First product version development

We help you quickly launch a working first version of a service, app or web system, without excess features or a bloated budget.

from $4,700from 4 weeks
HypothesisLaunchUsersGrowth
First product version development
Focus on launch
only the needed features
A clear budget
no scope creep
A working product
not just a mockup
A growth plan
what to do next

An MVP is the smallest working version of your product that proves the idea with real users before you commit to the full build. It isn't a rough draft — it's the fastest, cheapest way to learn whether people actually want what you're building.

10–30%
of a full build is what a lean MVP typically costs — so you validate before you commit
MVP cost research (Agilie, ideas2it)
35%
of startups fail from building something with no market need — an MVP tests demand first
CB Insights

When an idea needs to be validated with real users

A first version is needed to test demand, show the product to the team or investors and decide whether the project is worth developing further.

You have a product idea

We help turn the idea into a list of roles, screens, features and a clear launch plan.

You need to test demand

We build a minimal working scenario you can put in front of your first users.

Budget is limited

We separate must-have features from nice-to-haves so you don’t burn budget at the start.

You need to show an investor

We build a working product with clear logic, not a set of pretty pictures.

You need a fast launch

We pick the short path: one key scenario, clear roles and a manageable scope.

You have an old prototype

We work out what to keep, what to rewrite and how to bring the product to launch.

What the first version includes

The first version should solve one main user problem and give the business data for the next decision.

What can be inside

The makeup depends on the product: sometimes you need a website, sometimes a client portal, sometimes an app and a backend.

Sign-up

user login

Profile

personal data

Catalog

services or products

Requests

the core scenario

Payments

taking payments

Notifications

bringing users back

Admin panel

management

Roles

client and team

Files

documents and photos

Search

fast selection

Reports

first metrics

Support

contact with the client

We lock down the first launch before development

The most common mistake is to build everything at once. We first define what’s actually needed for the first test.

01

Idea

the product goal

02

Scenario

the main action

03

Scope

the first version

04

Design

the key screens

05

Development

a working product

06

Launch

first users

Which first versions we launch

A first version can be a mobile app, a web service, a portal, a marketplace or an internal tool.

Requests service

The user leaves a request and the team processes it in a panel.

  • form or portal
  • statuses
  • notifications

Marketplace

Two sides find each other and go through a first, simplified deal flow.

  • user roles
  • listing cards
  • connection between the sides

Customer app

The user orders a service, views their history and gets notifications.

  • user account
  • catalog
  • repeat request

What you’ll have after the first launch

You’ll have a product you can put in front of users, gather feedback on and develop deliberately.

At the start

  • description of the idea and target audience
  • the main user scenario
  • list of must-have features
  • constraints on timeline and budget
  • criteria for a successful launch

At launch

  • a working first version
  • admin panel or management
  • analytics of user actions
  • a list of second-stage improvements
  • a technical foundation for growth
product structurescreen designbackenddatabaseadmin panelanalyticsnotificationspaymentslaunch support

Examples of first versions

The main goal is not to build everything, but to quickly get a product that tests real demand.

Marketplace

Deals platform

Two user roles, listing cards, chat, statuses and deal management.

8 wks
to launch
2
roles
1
deal flow
Services

Booking service

The client picks a service, leaves a request and gets a confirmation.

4 wks
timeline
7
screens
3
statuses
App

Customer app

Catalog, profile, request history, notifications and an admin panel.

6 wks
first version
12
screens
1
panel

First version cost

The estimate depends on the number of roles, screens, backend logic, payments and integrations.

Simple launch
from $4,700

One core scenario, a basic control panel and analytics.

Product with roles
from $8,400

Several roles, portals, notifications, payments or complex backend logic.

Complex product
after review

Marketplace, many integrations, complex rights, a mobile app and scaling.

FAQ

The first version keeps only the features without which you can’t validate the core hypothesis.

Yes. We build the foundation so it can be expanded, not thrown away after validation.

Yes. A web version is often faster and cheaper for testing demand than a mobile app.

Yes. That’s a key part of the work: separating the must-haves from what can wait for the next stage.

Let’s build a first version without excess features

We’ll go through the idea, the users, the first scenario and the launch scope to get a working product in a reasonable time.