What Makes a Product Great?

We’ve all used a product that made us pause and think, “Wow, this just works.”

In the current digital ecosystem, building a product that simply “works” is no longer enough. Great products stand out because they are rooted in value, evolution, and user intuition. From MVPs that solve real pain points to expansive ecosystems that grow with their users, product greatness is not accidental but engineered.

The success of a product doesn’t solely rest on its features or flashy UI. A great product is one that users not only adopt but also rely on, advocate for, and return to — again and again. It balances functionality with empathy, innovation with usability, and vision with user feedback.

What really makes a great product?

A Laser-Sharp Focus on Solving Real Problems

Great products start with a purpose, not just an idea. They solve specific, real-world problems that people experience regularly. This means deep user research, empathy interviews, journey mapping, and constantly asking: “What pain point is this product truly eliminating?”

Before thinking about building the next AI-powered product, ask: Is this something people are currently struggling with? Are they willing to pay, invest time, or switch from alternatives to solve it? A product without a clearly defined value proposition is like a map without a destination.

Simplicity as a Superpower

Behind every excellent product lies a simple truth, people don’t like complicated tools; non-tech users especially. They want solutions that are intuitive, easy to use, and guide them through tasks without requiring a manual.

Simultaneously, simplicity doesn’t mean lack of sophistication. It means thoughtful design, clear onboarding, clean navigation, and seamless workflows. In fact, the more complex your backend or logic, the more crucial it is to make the frontend feel effortless. Think of it like Google’s homepage, behind that single search bar is a behemoth of data infrastructure, yet users only need to do one thing— type.

Evolution and Iteration

Beyond logic and function, great products tap into emotion. Users stick with products that feel reliable, empowering and even enjoyable. The best products don’t just work, they feel right. Users feel safe, understood, and even delighted while interacting with them. Error states are kind. Success screens feel rewarding. Language is accessible. Support is within reach.

Emotional intelligence in product design is about recognizing that users are human, sometimes tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or in a hurry. Products that acknowledge this stand out and build long-term relationships.

Case Studies: Real Products That Got It Right

OPay

Built on Trust and Accessibility, started as a mobile payment platform in Nigeria, where unreliable banking apps left users stranded and although they expanded and offered services like ride-hailing (ORide) and food delivery (OFood), its core focus has always been on digital payments and financial services. Overtime, with focus on reliability, simplicity, and POS agent networks for underserved populations, OPay became a financial staple for millions.

It eventually expanded into bill payments, loans, and business services; without compromising ease of use. Its consistent evolution, strong customer trust, and mobile-first approach are key reasons why it’s more than just a product, it’s a financial lifestyle tool.

Canva

Originally, Canva set out to make graphic design accessible to non-designers. With its drag-and-drop interface, template library, and zero learning curve, the tool quickly gained adoption across educators, marketers, and SMEs. But Canva didn’t stop there. As user expectations evolved, the platform expanded into presentations, video editing, social media content, audio production, AI-powered tools, third-party products integration and now, web design.

The trajectory of Canva offers a textbook example of how product vision can scale from a niche solution into a multi-dimensional platform. What makes Canva great is not just its breadth, but its ability to maintain usability at scale.

PC

My Period Calendar (PC) is one of those quietly brilliant products. It started as a simple app to track your menstrual cycle. That’s it. But over the years, it has evolved into a personal health companion. Today, you can track fertility windows, log symptoms, monitor moods, get insights on menstrual disorders, access recommendations for cramps, and even try workouts designed for your cycle. It now includes options to journal your emotions, keep medical notes, and set reminders for medications or checkups.

And what’s beautiful about PC? It doesn’t feel like a health tracker, it feels like a friend that gets you. That kind of user intimacy doesn’t just happen. It’s built intentionally.