Building an MVP is meant to be simple — but many founders unknowingly turn it into a complex, expensive detour.
This guide covers the most common MVP mistakes startup founders make, and how to avoid them:
1. Building Too Many Features
❌ Mistake:
Founders want to “do everything” — leading to bloated products that take months.
✅ Fix:
Start with one core user flow that delivers the main value.
If it doesn’t work, more features won’t save it.
2. Waiting for Perfection
❌ Mistake:
Polishing the UI, rebranding, or “perfecting” flows endlessly.
✅ Fix:
Launch when it’s 70% ready — perfection comes after feedback, not before it.
3. Ignoring Real User Feedback
❌ Mistake:
Building based on assumptions, not data.
Falling in love with the idea — not the user.
✅ Fix:
Interview users, test early, observe behavior, not just words.
4. Choosing the Wrong Tech Stack
❌ Mistake:
Using over-engineered stacks or trendy tools that slow you down.
✅ Fix:
Use proven stacks like Next.js + Supabase + Vercel or no-code if speed matters.
Tech is a vehicle — not the product.
5. Not Charging Early
❌ Mistake:
Assuming you’ll monetize “later.”
✅ Fix:
Test willingness to pay from Day 1.
If no one will pay now, they probably won’t pay later either.
Key Insight:
Your MVP is a learning tool, not a product to scale yet.
Make your mistakes fast, small, and reversible.
✅ At Zero To One Studios, we guide founders through the MVP process with structure — helping them skip these mistakes completely.