You are wondering how many features should your MVP actually have?
The short answer is: one core feature is enough and you should try to strip down everything as much as possible
Build too many features and you risk burning through your runway before you even get off the ground.
In this post, we'll see how to identify your core features, why niching down is the secret sauce, and how to avoid the dreaded feature creep.
So grab a coffee and let's get into it! ☕️
The True Purpose of an MVP: Validating the Core Idea
First things first: let's get clear on what an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) really is, and more importantly, what it isn't.
An MVP is not about building a half-baked product with a laundry list of features. It's about distilling your idea down to its most essential elements, and then putting that core concept in front of real users to validate it.
Think of it like a restaurant soft opening. You're not trying to wow diners with a seven-course tasting menu - you just want to make sure your signature dish is hitting the mark.
The same goes for your MVP. Your goal is to test your core hypothesis with the minimum feature set required to deliver value to your target users.
By the way, we are Realistack, a product design and low-code development studio that exclusively works with tech startups. If you want to launch your startup and need help with building your MVP, don’t hesitate to reach out. We usually take a 5% share upon delivery in exchange for a lower hourly rate. That way, our interests are aligned with yours in the long run.
How to Identify Core Features for Your MVP
So how do you figure out what those core features should be? It starts with really understanding the problem you're trying to solve, and for whom.
Put yourself in your users' shoes. What's the primary job they're hiring your product to do? What pain points are they looking to alleviate?
For example, let's say you're building a productivity app for remote teams. Your core feature set might include:
- Task creation and assignment
- Real-time collaboration
- Progress tracking
Notice what's not on that list: fancy reporting, third-party integrations, AI-powered suggestions. Those might be nice-to-haves, but they're not essential to validating your core idea.
The key is to ruthlessly prioritize. For each potential feature, ask yourself: is this absolutely necessary for my users to achieve their desired outcome? If the answer is no, save it for a later iteration.
Why Niching Down is the Secret to MVP Success
One of the biggest mistakes I see founders make is trying to be everything to everyone right out of the gate. They stuff their MVP with features in an attempt to please a broad audience, only to end up with a bloated, unfocused product.
The smarter play? Niche down and focus on serving a specific subset of users exceptionally well.
Think about it this way: big companies have way more resources than you do, but they can't afford to hyper-serve every nook and cranny of their market. That's where you come in.
By zeroing in on a specific user persona and tailoring your MVP to their unique needs, you can create a product that truly delights them in a way the big guys can't.
For example, instead of trying to build a generic project management tool, you might focus on creating the ultimate solution for design teams, with features like mood board creation and real-time design feedback.
The beauty of this approach is that once you've nailed it for your niche, you can gradually expand to adjacent segments. But if you try to boil the ocean from day one, you'll drown in a sea of mediocrity.
Customer Discovery: Your North Star for Feature Development
Identifying your core features is just the first step. To really nail your MVP, you need to get out of the building and talk to real users.
Customer discovery is the process of interviewing potential users to understand their needs, pain points, and desired outcomes. It's not about pitching your solution - it's about listening and learning.
Through these conversations, you'll start to see patterns emerge. You'll hear the same frustrations and wishlist items come up again and again. Those are your cues for what features to prioritize.
But don't just take their word for it. Actions speak louder than words, so look for ways to test your assumptions in the wild.
For example, you might create a landing page that showcases your proposed feature set and see how many people sign up for your waitlist. Or you could run a smoke test ad campaign to gauge interest in specific features.
The key is to let your users guide your feature development, not your own biases or hunches.
How Many Features are Too Many? Avoiding Feature Creep
It's easy to fall into the trap of trying to cram too many features into your MVP. After all, you want to make a splash in the market and differentiate yourself from competitors.
But here's the thing: every additional feature you add comes with a cost. It takes time and resources to build, it adds complexity to your user experience, and it dilutes your core value prop.
That's why it's so important to stay laser-focused on your main objectives and resist the temptation to tack on "just one more thing."
A good rule of thumb is to aim for no more than 3-5 core features in your initial MVP. If you find yourself creeping beyond that, it's time to take a hard look at your priorities.
Remember, your MVP is not your final product - it's a starting point. You'll have plenty of opportunities to add bells and whistles down the line, but only if you nail the core experience first.
Now you are well equipped to go forth and build something amazing! 🚀
