How to Choose the Right MVP Features (With Examples)
How to Choose the Right MVP Features (With Examples)
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Feature prioritisation can be overwhelming for founders, we've seen it firsthand through years of working with early-stage startups. With so many possibilities, how do you decide what makes the cut for the first iteration of your MVP?
This guide is here to help you navigate the world of MVP features, think of it as your one-stop shop for making sense of what to build, when to build it, and what to leave for later.
This post is part of our ongoing series on MVP development. Here, we'll focus on features - what they are, why they matter, and how to prioritise them.
And for those that maybe don't want to read this whole thing, I'll give you my key takeaway upfront:
At every stage, the key question to ask yourself is:
"What value does this provide to my user?"
1. What is a Feature? And Why Does It Matter for an MVP?
A feature is a specific capability or component of your product that delivers value to the user. Unlike functionality, which refers to the overall capabilities of your system, a feature is a tangible aspect of the user experience - think profile pages, booking systems, or admin dashboards.
Understanding what constitutes a feature (and what doesn't) is crucial when building an MVP because it helps you stay focused. The goal is not to build everything at once but to develop a lean, effective version of your product that validates your idea.
For example, if you're building a marketplace for freelancers, a feature might be the ability for freelancers to create profiles and showcase their work. On the other hand, functionality refers to the platform's ability to match freelancers with potential clients based on their skills and availability.
2. Feature Prioritisation for MVPs
Not all features are created equal. The reality is that many of them are completely unnecessary for your initial launch. Founders often fall into the trap of overloading their MVP with nice-to-haves instead of focusing on the essentials.
Your users are your best guide for feature prioritisation. What do they actually need? What will make their experience smoother? While this will vary by product, here's a list of typical features to consider for your MVP:
Consumer-facing MVPs:
User profiles - These allow users to create and manage their accounts. These can start simple (name and email) before expanding to include more relevant information.
Search function - If your platform includes content, products, or services, users need an intuitive way to find what they need.
Notifications - Basic email or in-app notifications can keep users engaged and informed.
Secure authentication - A secure and robust registration and login process ensures ease of access.
B2B MVPs:
Dashboard - This feature gives users a clear overview of relevant metrics, insights, or workflows.
Exporting - Giving users the ability to export data for business insights and reporting. Offering CSV exports can be a powerful but lightweight feature addition.
User roles and permissions - Businesses often require different levels of access for team members.
And of course, something every MVP should have:
An admin panel - This gives you internal controls to oversee operations, manage users, and make necessary adjustments.
The key is to focus on what's absolutely necessary for launch. Anything beyond the foundational features should be carefully evaluated against user needs and business goals before investing development time.
3. How to Prioritise Features for Your MVP
There's a fine balance between going too big (which can lead to bloated, unfocused products) and going too small (which can leave users unimpressed and disengaged). Here's how to strike that balance when prioritising features:
Prioritise core features – Focus on those intrinsically linked to your product's main goal.
Deliver key outcomes – Each feature should contribute directly to solving your users' problem.
Demonstrate your USP – Your MVP should highlight what sets you apart from competitors.
A great way to test if a feature is truly necessary is by asking:
Can my product still deliver its core value without this?
So, how do you determine which features make the cut? Here's a practical approach:
1. Define Your Core Outcomes
Your MVP should deliver on its core promise - the fundamental value your product provides. Ask yourself:
What problem am I solving for my users?
What is the minimum set of features needed to demonstrate my USP (Unique Selling Proposition)?
Example: Task Management App
For example, if you're building a task management app, your core features might be:
● Creating and managing tasks
● Setting deadlines and reminders
● Sharing tasks with others
Everything else, like integrations with third-party calendars or AI-powered scheduling, can wait until later.
2. Avoid Feature Bloat
One of the biggest mistakes founders make is overbuilding. Adding too many features can:
● Confuse users
● Increase development costs
● Delay launch
Instead, focus on one or two differentiators that set your product apart. For instance, if your MVP is a fitness tracking app, instead of trying to include meal planning, AI coaching, and social sharing all at once, start with the core tracking feature and expand from there.
3. Use the MoSCoW Method
One great way to prioritise is through the MoSCoW method, which categorises features into:
● Must-haves – Core features required for the product to function.
● Should-haves – Important but not essential features.
● Could-haves – Nice additions that enhance experience but are not critical.
● Won't-haves (for now) – Features that are out of scope for the MVP but may be revisited later.
Example: Prioritising Features in a Fitness App
Let's go back to the fitness app example. Here's how you might break down your features:
● Must-have: Ability to track workouts and log progress.
● Should-have: Personalised workout recommendations based on user history.
● Could-have: AI-powered voice coaching.
● Won't-have (for now): Social media integrations and advanced analytics.
If a feature doesn't meet one of these three criteria, it's a candidate for a later iteration.
4. What Can Wait for MVP 2, 3, and Beyond?
Not every great feature needs to be in your MVP. Some features should be postponed until after you've validated demand and gathered real user feedback.
Some features may seem essential but could introduce unnecessary complexity early on. Particularly anything requiring deep integrations or extensive development should be carefully validated before committing resources.
Example: Use of Feedback in Future Iterations
For example, let's say your MVP revolves around booking appointments. At first, you might launch with a simple scheduling system. Later, after user feedback, you might find that customers want calendar integrations to automatically populate their schedules.That's an ideal candidate for MVP 2 or 3.
Features to Defer to MVP2, MVP3, etc.:
❌ Deep integrations – Features requiring extensive third-party system connections should be delayed until you're sure they're needed.
❌ Advanced personalisation – Instead of launching with AI-driven recommendations, start with simple manual preferences.
❌ Non-core add-ons – Features that enhance, but do not define, your product's value (e.g. aesthetic customisation, bonus content, or community forums).
Example: Airbnb's Early Days
A great example is Airbnb's early days. Their initial MVP was simply a basic platform for listing and booking rooms. Only after validating demand did they introduce professional photography, user reviews, and premium host features.
Again, the key question remains:
What value does this provide to my user, right now?
5. Manual Workarounds for Complex Features: A Smart Way to Test
Sometimes, you might want to include a complex feature but aren't sure if it's worth the development effort. Instead of building it immediately, manual workarounds will help test demand first.
Many complex features can be simulated with manual processes before committing to full-scale development. This is especially useful for startups working with limited resources.
Example: Real-Time Stock Levels
Say you want to display real-time stock levels for a retail client. Your options are:
• Expensive, high-tech solution
Integrate with a POS system that updates stock levels in real time whenever an item is sold. Great in theory, but costly and complex.
• Lean, manual workaround
Use a simple spreadsheet that the retailer manually updates and uploads to your platform. This allows you to validate the feature with minimal effort before investing in automation. Since most POS systems allow for the day's stock levels to be exported as a CSV file, you only need to develop a lightweight solution that allows retailers to upload and consolidate this data within your platform. This reduces development complexity while still delivering core value to your users.
Another example is handling customer support, instead of building a complex automated chatbot, a simple FAQ page and an email support system might suffice for an MVP.
The biggest risk is building something complex that is then invalidated. By taking the lean approach first, you get real-world user insights without overcommitting on tech.
Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, there's no single "right way" to build an MVP. The best approach is to understand your users deeply, identify gaps in competitor products, and double down on your unique value proposition.
Here's a simple takeaway checklist when considering features for your MVP:
● Does it solve a core problem for my users?
● Can I validate its necessity with real users?
● Is there a simpler workaround I can use first?
● Does this feature showcase my unique value proposition?
● Will removing this feature make my MVP ineffective?
The more clarity you have on what truly matters, the easier it will be to assemble a feature set that is lean, focused, and valuable.
Remember: Your MVP is not the final product, it's just the beginning. Keep it lean, listen to your users, and iterate based on real data.
Feature prioritisation can be overwhelming for founders, we've seen it firsthand through years of working with early-stage startups. With so many possibilities, how do you decide what makes the cut for the first iteration of your MVP?
This guide is here to help you navigate the world of MVP features, think of it as your one-stop shop for making sense of what to build, when to build it, and what to leave for later.
This post is part of our ongoing series on MVP development. Here, we'll focus on features - what they are, why they matter, and how to prioritise them.
And for those that maybe don't want to read this whole thing, I'll give you my key takeaway upfront:
At every stage, the key question to ask yourself is:
"What value does this provide to my user?"
1. What is a Feature? And Why Does It Matter for an MVP?
A feature is a specific capability or component of your product that delivers value to the user. Unlike functionality, which refers to the overall capabilities of your system, a feature is a tangible aspect of the user experience - think profile pages, booking systems, or admin dashboards.
Understanding what constitutes a feature (and what doesn't) is crucial when building an MVP because it helps you stay focused. The goal is not to build everything at once but to develop a lean, effective version of your product that validates your idea.
For example, if you're building a marketplace for freelancers, a feature might be the ability for freelancers to create profiles and showcase their work. On the other hand, functionality refers to the platform's ability to match freelancers with potential clients based on their skills and availability.
2. Feature Prioritisation for MVPs
Not all features are created equal. The reality is that many of them are completely unnecessary for your initial launch. Founders often fall into the trap of overloading their MVP with nice-to-haves instead of focusing on the essentials.
Your users are your best guide for feature prioritisation. What do they actually need? What will make their experience smoother? While this will vary by product, here's a list of typical features to consider for your MVP:
Consumer-facing MVPs:
User profiles - These allow users to create and manage their accounts. These can start simple (name and email) before expanding to include more relevant information.
Search function - If your platform includes content, products, or services, users need an intuitive way to find what they need.
Notifications - Basic email or in-app notifications can keep users engaged and informed.
Secure authentication - A secure and robust registration and login process ensures ease of access.
B2B MVPs:
Dashboard - This feature gives users a clear overview of relevant metrics, insights, or workflows.
Exporting - Giving users the ability to export data for business insights and reporting. Offering CSV exports can be a powerful but lightweight feature addition.
User roles and permissions - Businesses often require different levels of access for team members.
And of course, something every MVP should have:
An admin panel - This gives you internal controls to oversee operations, manage users, and make necessary adjustments.
The key is to focus on what's absolutely necessary for launch. Anything beyond the foundational features should be carefully evaluated against user needs and business goals before investing development time.
3. How to Prioritise Features for Your MVP
There's a fine balance between going too big (which can lead to bloated, unfocused products) and going too small (which can leave users unimpressed and disengaged). Here's how to strike that balance when prioritising features:
Prioritise core features – Focus on those intrinsically linked to your product's main goal.
Deliver key outcomes – Each feature should contribute directly to solving your users' problem.
Demonstrate your USP – Your MVP should highlight what sets you apart from competitors.
A great way to test if a feature is truly necessary is by asking:
Can my product still deliver its core value without this?
So, how do you determine which features make the cut? Here's a practical approach:
1. Define Your Core Outcomes
Your MVP should deliver on its core promise - the fundamental value your product provides. Ask yourself:
What problem am I solving for my users?
What is the minimum set of features needed to demonstrate my USP (Unique Selling Proposition)?
Example: Task Management App
For example, if you're building a task management app, your core features might be:
● Creating and managing tasks
● Setting deadlines and reminders
● Sharing tasks with others
Everything else, like integrations with third-party calendars or AI-powered scheduling, can wait until later.
2. Avoid Feature Bloat
One of the biggest mistakes founders make is overbuilding. Adding too many features can:
● Confuse users
● Increase development costs
● Delay launch
Instead, focus on one or two differentiators that set your product apart. For instance, if your MVP is a fitness tracking app, instead of trying to include meal planning, AI coaching, and social sharing all at once, start with the core tracking feature and expand from there.
3. Use the MoSCoW Method
One great way to prioritise is through the MoSCoW method, which categorises features into:
● Must-haves – Core features required for the product to function.
● Should-haves – Important but not essential features.
● Could-haves – Nice additions that enhance experience but are not critical.
● Won't-haves (for now) – Features that are out of scope for the MVP but may be revisited later.
Example: Prioritising Features in a Fitness App
Let's go back to the fitness app example. Here's how you might break down your features:
● Must-have: Ability to track workouts and log progress.
● Should-have: Personalised workout recommendations based on user history.
● Could-have: AI-powered voice coaching.
● Won't-have (for now): Social media integrations and advanced analytics.
If a feature doesn't meet one of these three criteria, it's a candidate for a later iteration.
4. What Can Wait for MVP 2, 3, and Beyond?
Not every great feature needs to be in your MVP. Some features should be postponed until after you've validated demand and gathered real user feedback.
Some features may seem essential but could introduce unnecessary complexity early on. Particularly anything requiring deep integrations or extensive development should be carefully validated before committing resources.
Example: Use of Feedback in Future Iterations
For example, let's say your MVP revolves around booking appointments. At first, you might launch with a simple scheduling system. Later, after user feedback, you might find that customers want calendar integrations to automatically populate their schedules.That's an ideal candidate for MVP 2 or 3.
Features to Defer to MVP2, MVP3, etc.:
❌ Deep integrations – Features requiring extensive third-party system connections should be delayed until you're sure they're needed.
❌ Advanced personalisation – Instead of launching with AI-driven recommendations, start with simple manual preferences.
❌ Non-core add-ons – Features that enhance, but do not define, your product's value (e.g. aesthetic customisation, bonus content, or community forums).
Example: Airbnb's Early Days
A great example is Airbnb's early days. Their initial MVP was simply a basic platform for listing and booking rooms. Only after validating demand did they introduce professional photography, user reviews, and premium host features.
Again, the key question remains:
What value does this provide to my user, right now?
5. Manual Workarounds for Complex Features: A Smart Way to Test
Sometimes, you might want to include a complex feature but aren't sure if it's worth the development effort. Instead of building it immediately, manual workarounds will help test demand first.
Many complex features can be simulated with manual processes before committing to full-scale development. This is especially useful for startups working with limited resources.
Example: Real-Time Stock Levels
Say you want to display real-time stock levels for a retail client. Your options are:
• Expensive, high-tech solution
Integrate with a POS system that updates stock levels in real time whenever an item is sold. Great in theory, but costly and complex.
• Lean, manual workaround
Use a simple spreadsheet that the retailer manually updates and uploads to your platform. This allows you to validate the feature with minimal effort before investing in automation. Since most POS systems allow for the day's stock levels to be exported as a CSV file, you only need to develop a lightweight solution that allows retailers to upload and consolidate this data within your platform. This reduces development complexity while still delivering core value to your users.
Another example is handling customer support, instead of building a complex automated chatbot, a simple FAQ page and an email support system might suffice for an MVP.
The biggest risk is building something complex that is then invalidated. By taking the lean approach first, you get real-world user insights without overcommitting on tech.
Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, there's no single "right way" to build an MVP. The best approach is to understand your users deeply, identify gaps in competitor products, and double down on your unique value proposition.
Here's a simple takeaway checklist when considering features for your MVP:
● Does it solve a core problem for my users?
● Can I validate its necessity with real users?
● Is there a simpler workaround I can use first?
● Does this feature showcase my unique value proposition?
● Will removing this feature make my MVP ineffective?
The more clarity you have on what truly matters, the easier it will be to assemble a feature set that is lean, focused, and valuable.
Remember: Your MVP is not the final product, it's just the beginning. Keep it lean, listen to your users, and iterate based on real data.
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Your journey starts
with an MVP
Ready to explore these services further?
Your journey starts
with an MVP
Ready to explore these services further?
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