Why UX is Underrated When Building MVP Projects or Proof of Concept

Difference between MVP and Proof of Concept

This section is reserved to see the differences between building MVP and a Proof of Concept. Each one serves a different purpose, and picking the right approach can make all the difference in how your project moves forward.

What Is an MVP?

An MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, is like the first draft of your product that you share with others. It only has the main features, the basics that show off your idea without any extras.

• Goal: The point of an MVP is to get your product in front of real users fast. You are not aiming for perfect. All you just want is to see if people are interested and get their reactions.
• Audience: MVP is made for real people. You are looking for honest feedback from actual customers to see what they like and what could be better.
• Focus: The focus is on keeping it simple and showing off the most important parts of your idea. This way, you can learn what people like, what they do not, and what really matters to them.

What Is a PoC?

A proof of concept is like testing an idea to see if it works. It is not about making it perfect right away, it is about trying out the idea, writing it down, and figuring out how it could work before making the full product.

• Goal: The goal is to show that the idea can technically work within a set time frame. This is often necessary to convince stakeholders or team members that the concept has a good chance of success and can be developed further.
• Audience: Such type of documents is generally presented to management, investors, and other relevant parties but not to the general audience. It is meant to provide approval and confidence before moving forward with development.
• Focus: In essence, a part of the development stage targets people and ideas, however for a PoC the target is to have it made and ready to work. It is all about answering, can this actually be done?

Aside from their differences, both MVP and proof of concept projects can benefit from UX attention. Why? Because, whether you are showing your idea to potential users or stakeholders, having a product that is easy to use, even at this stage, makes it easier for people to see the potential.

Importance of UX When Building MVP

When you build an MVP, you are letting real users try it out. But, if using it feels confusing or frustrating, people might give up before they even get to the main features.

Here is why UX should be a priority from the start when building MVP:

• The importance of the first experience: When someone tries your MVP, how it feels in those first moments can make or break their interest. If it is confusing or hard to use, they might lose interest before they even get to the good parts. With a bit of care in the UX, even with just the basics, you can make them feel comfortable enough to keep exploring.
• Getting Feedback from Users: When building MVP, your goal is to collect feedback that will help you understand what is working and what is not. But if the UX makes users feel lost, they will not stick around to give you that valuable feedback. Good UX helps keep users engaged long enough for them to explore your product and tell you what they think.
• Making It Easy for Users to Find What Matters: MVP is all about simplicity, and the user experience should help people quickly discover the main features. A straightforward design lets them focus on what the MVP is really about. When users do not have to struggle or get lost, they are more likely to engage with your product’s core idea.

Why UX is Also Important for Proof of Concept

In a proof of concept, you are not testing the entire product; you are just showing that a specific idea can work. PoCs are typically created for stakeholders, investors, or a small group of users to see if the concept is technically possible.

So, why does UX matter in this situation?

• Making the Idea Easy to Get: A PoC is meant to help people connect with the idea. You want that moment of realization. But if it is confusing or frustrating to navigate, they might never see the full potential. By, adding some basic UX elements like clear instructions and logical navigation, makes it easier for your audience to follow along without getting stuck. You want the concept to shine through, not get lost because the experience is too challenging.
• Helping Stakeholders See the Big Picture: If your PoC has an awkward or confusing interface, the people you are trying to impress might wonder if the idea has any practical value at all. Even if they know it is just an early version, a cleaner, easy-to-use design helps them imagine what the finished product could look like. A little UX effort goes a long way in making sure they can see beyond the imperfections to the true potential.
• Getting Feedback on the Idea, Not Just the Experience: When a PoC is hard to use, the feedback you get will focus on usability problems instead of the main idea. And that is not what you want at this stage. If you want to get valuable insights into the idea’s potential, putting a little effort into UX can help keep the feedback centered on the concept rather than just usability problems.

UX Tips for Building MVP and Proof of Concept

If you are working on an MVP or a PoC and want to include some UX basics without getting too complicated, here are some practical tips:

• Keep Navigation Simple: Users should easily know where to go and what to do next without having to think twice. Whether it is an MVP or a PoC, keeping things simple and clear makes your product way easier to use. Use obvious labels, and make sure people are not left guessing about where things are or what to click on next.
• Use Consistent Design Elements: Keep going with the same colors, button styles, and fonts everywhere. It might seem like a tiny detail, but consistency makes everything feel familiar and easier. When things look and feel consistent, people can focus on your idea instead of getting confused by unexpected design changes.
• Responsive design: People might be checking out your MVP or PoC on all sorts of devices: phones, tablets, laptops, desktops….Responsive design, even a basic one, can make a huge difference across different screens. If it only works well on one device, you might lose users or stakeholders trying to view it on another.

Ask for User Feedback: Make it easy for users to share their thoughts. This could be a quick form, an email prompt, or a simple feedback button. When users feel that their opinions count, they are more likely to give honest feedback.

Affordable Ways to Improve UX

Balancing good design with a small budget can be challenging when starting out, but it does not have to be too hard.

Here are some easy ways to make sure your MVP and PoC are user-friendly without spending a lot:

• Start with Simple Usability: Keep to basic, clear navigation, consistent design, and a logical flow. These simple touches can make your product feel much more put-together without needing a lot of extra time or money.
• Try Design Templates: Templates can make your product look professional and consistent without needing a custom design. Many tools offer templates you can quickly use for MVP and PoC, giving it a more finished feel on a budget.
• Get Feedback from Real People: Share your product with friends, family, or a few coworkers. Their fresh perspective can help spot small issues you might have missed. Even just a quick, informal chat can uncover ways to improve the UX without costing much.
• Keep Improving as You Go: UX does not need to be perfect right away. Start with the basics, receive some feedback, and make small changes over time.
• Add a Personal Touch: A friendly message here can make your MVP or PoC feel more human and relatable. People connect better with products that feel personal. Those small touches can make your project memorable and help you stand out.

Wrapping Up

Building MVP and developing PoC projects are important steps in bringing your ideas to life. But if you want people to truly connect with your idea, whether they are users or stakeholders, you need to think about how they are going to experience it. Good UX does not have to be overdramatic and expensive—it just needs to make your product easy to understand and enjoyable to explore.

When you put in a bit of effort to make the UX smooth, you are helping others see the value and potential of your idea without any challenges. Whether it is getting honest feedback from early users or winning over investors, making sure the experience is seamless can make a lot of difference. So the next time you are building an MVP or creating a PoC, think about those small UX improvements that can help your idea stand out.