The Most Common Mistakes When Building an MVP and How to Avoid Them

Why Most MVPs Fail

Building an MVP sounds simple in theory: launch quickly, validate the market, and improve based on feedback. But in reality, most MVPs fail—not because the idea is bad, but because the execution isn’t right.

I've seen startups spend months developing a product packed with features without even talking to a single user. Others launch in a week but have no clear strategy for gathering feedback. And many get lost in the technology instead of focusing on what really matters: validating their idea.

If you want your MVP to make sense, avoid these mistakes and maximize your chances of success.

Mistake 1: Building Too Much Too Soon

One of the biggest mistakes is trying to pack too many features into your app from day one. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need a “complete” product before launching, but this only delays real validation.

An MVP is not about building a perfect app with every imaginable feature—it’s about launching something simple and functional that solves a specific problem.

Instead of spending months coding, a smart option is to use tools that let you build quickly and test your idea effortlessly. With platforms like co.dev, you can generate a ready-to-use application in minutes, without worrying about technical setup or wasting time on irrelevant details.

Mistake 2: Not Validating the Idea Before Building

Many entrepreneurs assume their idea is great without first checking if there’s actual demand. They build a product based on assumptions, launch it… and then realize no one is interested.

Before writing a single line of code, it’s crucial to validate the idea with real users. Talk to at least 20 people in your target audience and ask:

• Do they actually have the problem you’re trying to solve?

• How are they solving it now?

• Would they pay for a better solution?

If you can’t find enough people who are interested, it’s better to adjust the idea before investing time in something nobody needs.

Mistake 3: Choosing the Wrong Technology

Many founders obsess over the tech stack from day one, but technology isn’t the most urgent problem at the beginning. Choosing overly complex tools can slow down development and make the team waste time on setup instead of focusing on what matters: validating the idea.

For an MVP, you need a technology that allows for quick iterations and is easy to scale if the product succeeds. co.dev solves this problem by generating applications with Next.js and Prisma, ensuring that the MVP has a solid foundation without the team having to worry about infrastructure.

Mistake 4: Not Tracking User Behavior

Launching an MVP without analytics is like driving blindfolded. If you don’t know what users are doing, which features they use, or where they drop off, it’s impossible to improve the product.

From day one, you should be tracking:

• How many users are trying the product.

• Which features are used the most.

• At what point users stop using the app.

With this data, you can make informed decisions instead of guessing.

Mistake 5: Not Iterating After Launch

An MVP is just the first step. It’s not a final product—it’s a minimal version that should evolve based on user feedback.

If you launch your product and don’t continuously improve it, you’re missing out on the opportunity to find the perfect market fit.

How can you ensure your MVP improves over time?

• Listen to users and adjust based on their feedback.

• Analyze the data to understand what works and what doesn’t.

• Iterate constantly instead of sticking to the first version.

The best startups don’t start with a perfect product—they refine it over time until they find a winning model.

Conclusion

Launching an MVP isn’t just about coding an app—it’s about validating an idea as quickly as possible. If you avoid these mistakes and use tools that simplify the process, you can focus on what really matters: learning and improving your product.

If you want to launch an MVP without worrying about technology, co.dev lets you generate fully functional applications in minutes with Next.js and Prisma, ensuring that you have a scalable foundation from day one. Focus on validation, not on coding from scratch.