The biggest mistake I see with MVPs is that they're either too minimal (just a landing page) or too viable (a fully-featured product that took 6 months to build). The sweet spot is a product that solves one core problem well enough that users come back.
Define the Core Loop
Every successful product has a core loop — the primary action users take repeatedly. For a SaaS tool, it might be creating reports. For a marketplace, it's listing and buying. Identify this loop and build only what's needed to make it work.
Ship in Weeks, Not Months
If your MVP takes more than 4-6 weeks to build, you're building too much. Cut features ruthlessly. The goal is to learn from real users as quickly as possible.
Choose Boring Technology
For MVPs, use technology you know well. This isn't the time to learn a new framework. React, Node.js, PostgreSQL — these are battle-tested tools that let you move fast.
Build for Feedback
Include analytics and feedback mechanisms from day one. You need to know how users interact with your product to make informed decisions about what to build next.
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