For Founders Building an MVP in Lovable: Avoid My Mistakes

Hey, I’m Rodrigo. I’ve built a bunch of MVPs over the years. Some turned out great, some were disasters, and all of them taught me something. I also run workshops called How to Be Your Own CTO, where I help founders who don’t code figure out how to bring their tech ideas to life. This is basically the playbook I give them.

Lovable is awesome. It’s fast, visual, and you can get something up and running in a weekend. But it’s also easy to make mistakes that slow you down or box you in later. Here’s how to avoid those and build smarter.

Step 1: Nail Your First Prompt

That first prompt you write? It sets the stage for everything that comes after. Structure, features, database, design. All of it.

Here’s what I recommend: just start. Write the prompt in your own words, even if it’s messy. Get something out of your head and into the app. Then see what comes out. That first test will get your creative gears turning.

Once you’ve seen what Lovable gives you, go back and write a better version of your prompt. Be specific. Add:

• Features: What exactly should your app do?

• Backend needs: What kind of data do you need to store?

• Example screens: Describe what users should see.

• Design: Mention the vibe or tone you want.

Here’s an example you could drop into GPT to prep your prompt:

I want to build an app for [target users] to [main goal or purpose].
It should include core features like [feature 1], [feature 2], and [feature 3].

Add a secure login/signup flow and create user profiles that store [key data or interactions].
There should also be an admin dashboard where I can [admin actions like manage users, approve content, review data].

The design should be clean, modern, and mobile-first, using [style reference, e.g., cards, minimal UI, bold colors, etc.].

Integrate [API or service, e.g., Stripe for payments, Google Maps, OpenAI, etc.].

Focus on building a functional MVP that clearly demonstrates the main user journey: [describe flow briefly, e.g., from signup → dashboard → action → result].

Here’s an example filled in so you can see how it looks in practice:

I want to build an app for gym trainers to manage clients.
It should include core features like workout tracking, progress reports, and payment integration.
Add a secure login/signup and create client profiles that store training data.
Include an admin dashboard where I can approve trainers and see all users.
The design should be clean and mobile-first, with simple cards for workouts and stats.
Use Stripe for payments. Focus on the journey from signup → client dashboard → progress tracking → payments.

And don’t forget the admin side. Everyone does at first. You’ll need a dashboard to see users, approve or reject content, or manage data. Without it, you’ll be blind.

Step 2: Get the Backend Right

The backend is where 90% of headaches come from.

In Lovable, your backend lives in the cloud. You’ll see a little cloud icon in the interface. Click that and you’ll open the database view for your project. That is where all your data lives.

Think of it like a spreadsheet. Each table in the database is like a tab in an Excel file. Each row is a record, and each column is a field. The moment you start changing columns or deleting things, other parts of the app can break. So plan your tables before you start messing around.

You’ll always need a Users or Profiles table. That’s your main sheet. Every other table should connect to it with an ID. That’s how you link everything together. If you get that part right, the rest gets way easier.

Here are some simple examples:

Table Name	Key Fields	Description
users	id, email, name, role (user, admin, etc.)	Stores basic account information for every user.
subscriptions	id, user_id (linked to users.id), plan_name, status, renews_at	Tracks which plan a user is on and when it renews.
payments	id, user_id (linked to users.id), amount, currency, stripe_payment_id	Records all payments and connects them to the user who paid.
items / content / projects	id, user_id, title, status, created_at	Stores the main objects or posts that your app manages.

When you design your app, think in terms of “what table does this screen talk to” and “what user does this row belong to.” If you can answer those two questions for every screen, you’re already ahead of most founders. your app, think in terms of “what table does this screen talk to” and “what user does this row belong to.” If you can answer those two questions for every screen, you’re already ahead of most founders.

Step 3: Design Tips That Actually Matter

Design in Lovable is simple, but small choices can make a huge difference in how professional your app feels. When you describe your design in the prompt, use clear style references and consistent visual logic. Keep color use minimal, use hierarchy for typography, and leave plenty of whitespace.

Here are two tables you can use as quick references when deciding how to describe your app’s design.

Technical Design Styles

Visual Design Styles

If you’re not sure where to start, go with Minimalist UI or Modern Dashboard. They’re the safest bets for early MVPs and always look clean.

Pro Tip: Go to dribbble.com for inspiration and example screens to attach.

Also, think in terms of components rather than pages. Lovable’s builder uses prebuilt sections, so plan your app around reusable elements like cards, forms, lists, and modals. That will save you time when you iterate later.

Step 4: Add Payments (Stripe is Your Friend)

If you’re charging for anything, use Stripe. It’s easy, secure, and works everywhere.

Setting It Up

Go to stripe.com and create an account under your company or freelancer name.

1. In the Dashboard, navigate to Developers → API Keys.

2. Copy your Publishable Key and Secret Key (you’ll see test and live versions).

3. Paste the test keys into Lovable first to run safe test payments before going live.

Your test keys will look something like this:

• Publishable Key: pk_test_12345example

• Secret Key: sk_test_12345example

Once you’re done testing and ready for production, replace them with your live keys.

Example Prompt

Here’s a better prompt to integrate Stripe payments properly:

"Integrate Stripe payments so users can upgrade to premium plans. Use my test API keys: pk_test_xxx and sk_test_xxx. Add a pricing page with monthly and yearly options. When someone upgrades, create a record in the payments table and mark their profile as 'premium'. If a payment fails, send them an alert message in-app."

Extra Tips

• Always test payments in test mode before going live.

• Add a billing page where users can manage or cancel their subscriptions.

• For one-time purchases, make sure to store transaction IDs in your payments table.

• Keep the payment flow short — less than three clicks from decision to confirmation.

• Consider using Stripe Checkout for simplicity. It handles tax, receipts, and security automatically.

When you finish setup, run a quick test by creating a fake user and using Stripe’s test card 4242 4242 4242 4242. It should simulate a successful payment instantly.

Step 5: Hook Up a Domain

Lovable makes this stupid easy. Buy a domain from Porkbun (builders love it) and connect it in seconds. No code, no DNS drama.

Pro tip: Porkbun gives you free webmail for three months. Use it before you start paying for Google Workspace or anything fancy.

Step 6: Accept the Chaos

Here’s the truth. Building a production-ready app in Lovable isn’t easy. Things will break. Data will vanish. You’ll want to throw your laptop.

But that’s part of it. The point isn’t to launch the next unicorn overnight. The point is to learn what matters, test your idea, and get something real in front of users.

Every bug you fix and every screen you rebuild makes your idea sharper. By the time you’re ready to hire developers, you’ll know exactly what you want. You’ll save months and thousands of dollars.

These days, a good MVP should cost between $5k and $10k. A few years ago, that was $25k. So yeah, things are getting better.

Keep it simple. Start small. Build something real. That’s how founders win.