When you’ve just launched your MVP, the biggest question every founder faces is this:
“Now how do I actually get someone to sign up… and pay?”
The MVP is not the finish line it’s the starting point of your startup funnel. Think of it like this: building your MVP proves you can solve a problem. A funnel proves people want the solution badly enough to take action.
In my own journey and while supporting other early-stage founders through Moonhive, I’ve seen that the first conversion is rarely about hard selling it’s about building a system that guides the right people from curiosity to trust.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to design your first functional funnel right after your MVP is launched one that doesn’t need a full marketing team or thousands in ad spend. Just clear messaging, smart flows, and a good understanding of your user’s journey.
Understanding Your Funnel from Day One
Many founders hear the word “funnel” and think of complex diagrams, automation tools, or salespeople. But at this early stage, your funnel is really simple: it’s the path someone takes from hearing about you to trusting you enough to take action.
That action could be:
▪️Signing up for a free trial
▪️Booking a demo
▪️Downloading your app
▪️Making a small payment
But whatever that action is, the goal is to design every touchpoint to earn it.
If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend checking out our earlier blog — Startup Metrics 101 — where we break down how to track the right signals at each stage. Funnels and metrics are two sides of the same coin. One helps you move users forward, the other shows where they’re dropping off.
The MVP Trap Most Founders Fall Into
After launching an MVP, it’s tempting to wait for people to just “discover” it. You post it on Product Hunt, maybe share on LinkedIn, and hope someone signs up. A few might. But then… crickets.
This is where your first funnel matters more than features.
Even the best MVP can fail without the right onboarding, clarity, and messaging. What you need is to guide people across three invisible but real steps:
▪️Awareness
▪️Interest
▪️Action
At the MVP stage, it’s not about volume it’s about clarity. Clarity in your landing page, in your value prop, and in how someone moves through your product.
We’ve talked earlier in our “10 Startup Mistakes” blog about how skipping marketing or not positioning early enough kills momentum. Funnels are your insurance against that.
The Funnel Flow That Works (Even If You’re Just One Person)
Let me break down the simplest funnel that has worked for many founders we’ve worked with at Moonhive:
1. Landing Page or Microsite: Clear headline, strong subtext, and a real outcome promise. Avoid fluff. Focus on what changes in your user’s life after using your product.
2. Lead Magnet or CTA: A waitlist, signup button, “get early access,” or free tool that collects email or triggers action.
3. Welcome Sequence or Guided Demo: Even a simple email that says “Hey, here’s how to make the most of this” can build early trust.
4. In-Product Guidance: Don’t expect users to figure it out. Walk them through the ‘aha’ moment within 2 minutes.
5. Follow-up: Don’t leave users alone after they try once. A nudge email, message, or ping after 2–3 days matters.
Even without ads, this funnel works especially when paired with organic efforts like LinkedIn posts, founder videos, or blog content.
Don’t Overthink Funnels Observe, Adapt, Repeat
Funnels don’t need to be perfect on day one. In fact, your best asset is your ability to observe real users. Where are they confused? Where do they stop? What do they love?
One founder I worked with had no background in sales. But by watching five early users on Zoom navigate the product, they rewrote their homepage headline, shortened their onboarding, and got their first paying customer in two weeks.
Funnels evolve but they need to exist. Start simple. Observe the user. Then adjust.
Your Funnel Depends on the Product Type
A funnel for a SaaS tool won’t look the same as one for a service-based startup. But the principles are the same:
▪️Remove friction
▪️Earn trust early
▪️Drive a clear next step
And the earlier you integrate this thinking, the easier it becomes to scale it later.
Final Thoughts
Your MVP is the prototype. Your funnel is the path. Without one, you’re hoping someone stumbles across what you built and figures it out.
With one, you guide them. You clarify the value. And you earn the trust needed to convert.
If you’re just at the MVP stage or building your early roadmap, our previous blogs on MVP Planning and Product Roadmaps will give you solid footing.
And if you’re gearing up for growth, stay tuned for the next article:
→ “How to Attract Your First 100 Customers Without a Big Budget”