By leveraging the web in creation of rapid prototypes for testing business model assumptions, and using customer feedback to develop them, companies will be able to advance in its’ search for a repeatable business model and reduce risk in new-product introduction.
In creation of such rapid prototypes the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) idea is key. Neverthless, open source platforms such as WordPress are key enablers to the Lean Startup. As my previous post on 9 Minimum Viable Product WordPress Themes received pretty good interest among aspiring enterpreneurs, I decided to share some more recent WordPress themes that can help you in quickly launching your minimum viable product.
Inspire, a clean-cut theme from the rockstars at Woothemes. The theme leverages a clear value proposition and call-to-action alongside usable design. We are working on this for EasyPeasy’s tablet OS, and I must say it feels good (is that a disclaimer?).
SaaS Web App. This one I liked so much that I kept it in my browser tab for days. The makers knows all about sizing and positioning elements for increased conversion. The Plans & Pricing is simply right-out-the-box.
Apz, also by Woothemes, is a simple theme aimed at iPhone application developers. Simple and landing page-ish, perfect for that Minimum Viable Product version zero-point-something.
Coming Soon is a dead-simple landing page theme. Change the picture and do some copywriting, and you’ll be up and running.
SaaS Web App II is based on the same ideas as the SaaS Web App above, but with some modifications. Myself, I like the 1-2-3 description at the bottom.
AppPress by ChimeraThemes, has crafted a promising framework. AppPress really makes use of call to actions and conversion mechanisms as well as a good pricing page.
Fullside is AppPress’ brother theme, having some different design options. Have a look at the 37 Signals inspired decleration module at the bottom of the page. Get ready for ramping your conversion funnel.
What I love about WordPress is its take on simplicity and modularity. It allows you to do rapid testing of features, design and value propositions, and easily integrate third party forms and survey modules for getting customer feedback critical to customer development.
Going forward I would really want to see one Lean Startup-specific theme that leverages the back-end dashboard with consumer-focused metrics for testing business model hypothesis.
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The Methodologist 
Hi Tor,
Great Article and a nice selection of themes. Like you, I’m really partial to Saas Web App, but there doesn’t seem to be any way at all to actually buy/download this theme from WorryFreeLabs.
Any ideas?
Thanks Dave. You can find the SaaS Web App at http://themeforest.net/item/freemium-saas-wordpress-cms-blog-theme-i/114395
Hi!
Just when I read the title I thought about INSPIRE, great post! 🙂 The SaaS II Link is wrong though. And where can I get the SaaS I theme, is Worry Free Labs even selling this?
Thanks for letting me know about the broken link. Weird, I had to shorten it in order to make it work.
Both themes should be available through Themeforest.net:
Please find SaaS I at http://bit.ly/SaaSnoI and SaaS II at http://bit.ly/SaaSII.
Otherwise let me know =)
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This is what I needed two weeks ago…. how does one know to search for “minimum viable product” templates? Now I know. THanks
Wow those are indeed some really cool themes. Wow.
Lou
http://www.privacy-web.cz.tc
A totally awesome follow-up post for this incredible useful list would be the same list, but with a analyze of the conversion of ’em. “Which templates had the best conversion rates?”
Anyway, just an idea. Thx for a great post!
Thanks Anton. I think that this is a great idea, especially if copy and value propositions are the same for each theme. Keep me posted 🙂
Hey Tor:
Awesome post. It inspired me to share (ahead of schedule) some info on a new service we’re building to provide some of the lean startup metrics you mention, designed specifically for SaaS products.
We’re looking for folks interested in beta testing and providing customer development feedback here: StartMetrics.
I’d especially like to get your feedback.
Plus, I think it’s fitting that we’re using one of the themes you listed. Took just a few hours to get the basic design up and running, which gives us more time to work on our MVP 🙂
Thanks again for the great info.
-Aaron
Hi Aaron. Thnx. Happy to provide some feedback. I have signed up for a beta. Keep me posted.
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Good themes for launch apps… Thanks for sharing the information 🙂
Great Article Tor – the concept of MVP and using a quick luanch and the community is great. Something we think our visitors will enjoy so we have linked through at http://www.wireandmedia.com/launching-products-online-with-an-eye-on-design/
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Great article…
I recently picked up the SaaS II theme, and am a fan as well.
– Dave
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I am using Fullside in one of my projects, and that theme is really awesome…
Nice collections, but none of the themes seem to be IE 6 compatible. Any suggestions?
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