When building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), companies want a framework that is quick, efficient, and easy to scale. Each of these features is very important, so not all frameworks can meet the expectations of customers and developers. Among the available tools, one worth paying attention to is Ruby on Rails. For many years, developers have used Ruby on Rails to quickly turn ideas into a product. In this article, you will learn why to choose Ruby on Rails for MVP and explore the benefits of using it in a project. You will also learn why Rails is startup-friendly.
Table of Contents:
1. The Importance of Speed in MVP Development
2. Why choose Rails to create an MVP?
3. Examples of successful projects that used Rails to create MVPs
4. Ruby on Rails for MVPs: Choose Railwaymen for Development
The Importance of Speed in MVP Development
For startups and companies looking to launch a new solution, time is of the essence. It determines product launches and allows to be competitive. Smooth launching a digital solution allows to gather feedback from users. and subject the idea to validation before further investment. In the case of Ruby on Rails, time is an ally. RoR makes development faster by using standard conventions and a large collection of reusable code (gems). This allows developers to focus on building core functions without repetitive tasks.
Why choose Rails to create an MVP?
When developing an MVP, speed and the ability to quickly iterate on features are crucial. Equally important is maintaining low costs. Ruby on Rails is the best choice for MVP because it meets the above criteria. Moreover, it has many notable benefits that set it apart from similar solutions.
Rapid development
RoR enables rapid development, due to the “convention over configuration” philosophy. This means that developers don't waste time making repetitive decisions about the app's structure. Instead, Rails provides default settings. In this way, it allows them to focus on building the core functions of the product. Also, Rails has a huge collection of built-in tools and open-source libraries. These provide ready-to-use solutions for user authentication, payment gateways and admin dashboards. It saves a lot of time during the MVP development process for developers. Faster development also means a shorter time to market. This is a key factor for startups looking to confirm their idea.
Cost-effectiveness
One of the advantages of using Rails for MVP development is its cost-effectiveness. Framework enables teams to build functional applications with smaller development teams. At the same time, both development time and costs get reduced. A wide range of gems allows developers to add features without having to create them from scratch. What's more, Ruby on Rails is open-source. It can be used for free, and companies don't have to pay for expensive licenses. For early-stage startups, this can make a significant difference in the budget. The cost savings also extend into future development phases. Rails also supports Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). This reduces the probability of errors in production and lowering future maintenance costs
Scalability
The advantage of building an MVP with Ruby on Rails is scalability. The modular architecture allows for vertical and horizontal scaling. RoR has a database management tool in its resources. It is about ActiveRecord, which simplifies scaling with the stages of application development. The framework also can handling complex requests resulting from traffic growth. This is possible by tools such as Sidekiq. Worth noting is support for RESTful architecture. It helps to integrate with third-party APIs. This is important if you plan to expand the application's functionality in the future.
Security
Security is one of the most important features that define an application. Especially when the application collects sensitive user data. Ruby on Rails has some built-in security features that protect against any vulnerabilities. Among them are SQL injection, XSS (cross-site scripting) and CSRF (cross-site request forgery). Building an MVP with Rails is also helpful with SSL encrypted communication. This is appreciated by startups that need trust from users. Especially in the finance and healthcare industries, where security is a priority.
Community support
Last on this list is the support of the Rails community, which is the strength of this framework. The community is very active online and is willing to share support for any user problems. Also, Ruby on Rails developers are actively involved in improving the framework. This keeps it up to date with current best practices.
Examples of successful projects that used Rails to create MVPs
There are many well-known companies that began their path to success by creating MVPs using Ruby on Rails. The framework is especially appreciated by startups, which often reach for the solution when building apps. Here are some of them that deserve to be singled out.
Airbnb
One of the most frequently cited successful projects is the Airbnb app. It's a solution for renting out living space anywhere in the world. The founders bet on Rails and quickly launched the first version of the platform. During this period, they collected feedback from the first users and made iterations. Today, the app is triumphing in the travel industry with acclaim among users.
GitHub
One of the largest platforms for hosting code also owes its origins to Ruby on Rails. The MVP for GitHub was developed to provide version control and collaboration for developers. The ability to scale rapidly contributed to the growth of the user base. Today, it's hard to imagine developers working without GitHub. It has proven to be a breakthrough solution in the IT environment thanks to RoR.
Shopify
One of the largest eCommerce platforms also owes its beginnings to the Ruby on Rails. The success story began with a business idea aimed at small businesses. The platform was to enable quick and easy establishment of online stores. The choice of Rails was supported by its flexibility and ability to develop fast. The decision turned out to be the right one, which is still confirmed today.
Ruby on Rails for MVPs: Choose Railwaymen for Development
Ruby on Rails stands out as an ideal framework for building MVPs. It offers the perfect combination of rapid development, scalability, cost-effectiveness and security features. Ruby on Rails offers a rich library of gems that streamline development. Combined with a strong community, it has a proven track record in the startup ecosystem. This makes it the best choice for companies looking to turn their ideas into functional products.
At Railwaymen, we specialize in MVP development and have extensive experience using Ruby on Rails to bring projects to life. If you're ready to take your idea to the next level, fill out our estimate form and get in touch with our specialists. We will help you find the best solution for your business needs and guide you through the development process from start to finish.