Launching your first product can feel overwhelming, especially if you are a first-time founder. There are many ways to test your idea, gather feedback, and validate whether people are truly interested in what you are building. Three of the most common approaches are creating a proof of concept, building a minimum viable product (MVP), or designing a landing page.
Each option serves a different purpose, comes with different costs, and fits best depending on where you are in your journey. In this article, we will break down what each one is, when to use it, and how to decide which is the right starting point for your product launch.
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What is a Proof of Concept?
A proof of concept, often shortened to POC, is the simplest way to show that your idea is technically possible. It is not a product that customers use. Instead, it is a test to prove that a core part of your idea can actually work in practice.
For example, if you want to build a wearable that tracks hydration levels, your proof of concept might be a simple prototype that uses sensors to measure hydration in a controlled environment. It may not look polished, but it shows that the science or technology behind the idea is feasible.
Proofs of concept are most common in industries like health tech, hardware, or highly technical software. They give you confidence that you are not chasing something impossible before you spend time and money building a full product.
Pros of a Proof of Concept
- It helps answer the question: can this be done?
- It avoids wasted resources on ideas that cannot be executed.
- It can convince investors or partners that the technology is worth backing.
Cons of a Proof of Concept
- It does not show whether customers want the product.
- It can take time and resources to build even though it will never be a product you sell.
- It is only one part of validation, not the whole picture.
What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
A minimum viable product is a version of your product that contains just enough features to be used by real customers. The goal of an MVP is not to be perfect but to deliver value to early adopters and learn from their behavior.
For example, if you want to build a marketplace for local farmers, your MVP might be a simple website where farmers can post their produce and customers can message them directly to arrange purchases. It would not yet include payment processing, logistics, or advanced search filters.
The MVP lets you test your assumptions about customer demand and usability. If people actually use it, pay for it, and keep coming back, you know you are onto something.
Pros of an MVP
- It puts your product in the hands of real users.
- It generates real-world feedback to guide future development.
- It can start generating revenue early.
- It shows traction to investors.
Cons of an MVP
- It can be more costly and time-intensive than a landing page or proof of concept.
- If executed poorly, it can turn customers away if they see a buggy or confusing product.
- It requires ongoing maintenance and improvements.
- It shows traction to investors.
What is a Landing Page?
A landing page is the fastest and simplest way to test interest in an idea. It is a single page that explains your product, highlights its value, and usually includes a call to action such as joining a waitlist, signing up for early access, or pre-ordering.
For example, if you are thinking of launching an app to help busy parents manage after-school activities, you could create a landing page that explains the problem and your solution. You could then run ads or share the page with communities of parents and measure how many people sign up.
Unlike a proof of concept or MVP, a landing page does not involve building the actual product. Instead, it helps answer the question: do people want this?
Pros of a Landing Page
- It is the fastest and cheapest validation tool.
- It provides data on customer interest before you invest heavily.
- It can build an email list or waitlist for your launch.
- It allows you to test different messages and positioning.
Cons of a Landing Page
- It does not prove that the technology or product can actually work.
- It does not provide insight into how people will use the product.
- It may attract people who are curious but not committed customers.
Comparing Proof of Concept, MVP, and Landing Page
While all three tools are valuable, they serve different purposes.
A proof of concept answers the question: can this idea be built?
An MVP answers the question: will customers use and pay for this product?
A landing page answers the question: are people interested in this solution?
The choice between them depends on your starting point. If your idea involves new or complex technology, you may need a proof of concept first. If you already know it is technically possible and want to test customer demand, a landing page or MVP may be the better path.
When to Start With a Proof of Concept
If your idea is highly technical, involves hardware, or depends on a scientific breakthrough, a proof of concept is often the first step. It reassures you and potential backers that the foundation of your product is real.
However, do not confuse a proof of concept with market validation. Many products fail not because they were impossible to build, but because nobody wanted them. After a proof of concept, you will still need a landing page or MVP to confirm demand.
When to Start With a Landing Page
If your product is not highly technical and you want to quickly test whether there is interest, start with a landing page. You can measure the number of sign-ups, run A/B tests with different pitches, and get early supporters.
This is especially effective for digital products, apps, and services where the challenge is not feasibility but demand. A landing page can be built in a few days, giving you fast insights before committing months to development.
When to Start With an MVP
If you already have evidence of interest and want to test how people actually use your solution, building an MVP is the best step. An MVP is useful when you want to see real-world behavior instead of hypothetical interest.
For example, someone may sign up on your landing page for a budget tracking app, but when given access to an MVP, they may use it differently than expected. This real usage data is invaluable.
How to Decide Which is Right for You
To decide which path to take, ask yourself three questions:
- Do I need to prove that the technology is possible? If yes, start with a proof of concept.
- Do I need to know if people are interested in the idea at all? If yes, start with a landing page.
- Do I need to see how people will use the product in real life? If yes, build an MVP.
Often, the journey follows a sequence. For complex products, you may begin with a proof of concept, move to a landing page to gauge demand, and finally build an MVP to test usage. For simpler products, you may skip the proof of concept and start with a landing page, then move directly to an MVP.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many first-time founders make the mistake of skipping validation entirely. They spend months or even years building a full product only to realize nobody wants it. Another mistake is choosing the wrong validation tool for their stage.
Some build an MVP too early, investing significant time and money before testing demand with a landing page. Others create a proof of concept but stop there, assuming technical feasibility guarantees success. The key is to understand the role each tool plays and use them strategically.
Putting It All Together
Launching a product is not about guessing. It is about systematically reducing uncertainty. Proof of concept, MVP, and landing pages are three tools that help you do exactly that.
- A proof of concept reduces technical uncertainty.
- A landing page reduces market uncertainty.
- An MVP reduces product and usability uncertainty.
The best founders use these tools to learn quickly, adapt, and avoid costly mistakes. Instead of thinking about which one is universally better, think about which one helps you answer the most important question you face right now.
Have a business idea you want to bring to life? Book a call today with PremierMVP.