MVP landingpage: Waiting list or waiting for MVP to be done?
Hey! We are working on a Micro SaaS MVP and I want to make a landing page telling about the MVP so that Users can sign up to become an Early Adopter.
My question
Should we launch it as a 'Waiting list' or when the actual MVP is ready for validation and testing?
The reason I want some feedback is that if we are realistic, there won't be that many people who even consider trying it out. Therefore when we are marketing it, I want people to test it while they are interested and not have them wait.
So I would personally wait for an actual MVP or Beta before I would try to acquire Users through a landing page.
I would love to hear your thoughts about it!
Hey @BrandtConcept! First, I would say: it depends on when do you plan to launch your MVP? If the delay is short (like 1 month), wait for it.
Let me share with you my last experience and learnings.
I launched my SaaS 6 months ago. Here is what I did:
Month#1 -
During the first month, I built the MVP with 4, 5 friends (who were potential targets). I discussed with them, showed them some screenshots, and tried identifying the pain or triggers to use my product.
Learnings: the exercise is not easy because they're your friends. So you need to focus on weak signals. You don't need a lot of people to know if you're on the wrong path.
Month#2 -
Then, I launched my MVP as a private beta to my network on LinkedIn. I had 200 subscribers and scheduled +50 demos.
Learnings: This month was awesome! It was intense but helped me prioritize the roadmap for quick product evolution. Because after 50 demos, people want the same things. You can understand how to onboard people, and if you need a freemium plan or something else, you better understand your personas.
Month#3
I've opened the beta and re-contacted the 150 other subscribers to use the product and validate the new updates.
Learnings: the result wasn't good. Few people want to try the product (with a free plan). When I launched, I think people were really curious. Then, their appetite for the product decreased.
So, I think it's ok to wait or iterate with a few people first (people you know so you don't need a landing page for them).
For me, a waiting list is interesting when you know you will have a crowd in front of your product/features/new ideas, as Notion did with Notion AI or Clubhouse when they launched.
Hope my feedback will help you!