What Not to Include in Your MVP

When launching a new product, your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is your first step into the market—a simple version that solves a key problem for your users. But here's the catch: many startups fail not because their product isn't good, but because they tried to do too much too soon. That’s why it’s just as important to know what not to include in your MVP as it is to know what to include.

In this blog, we’ll explore the features, ideas, and temptations you should avoid when developing your MVP.

Whether you're a first-time founder or a seasoned builder, understanding what not to include in your MVP can save you time, money, and energy.

Why Less Is More When It Comes to MVPs

The core purpose of an MVP is to test your product idea quickly and cheaply. It's not meant to be perfect or feature-rich. Instead, it's a learning tool—a prototype that delivers real value while validating your assumptions.

Adding too many features upfront can:

• Confuse users
• Delay your launch
• Drain your budget
• Dilute your core value proposition

Let’s explore what you should not include in your MVP, and why leaving these things out will actually help you succeed.

1. Unnecessary Features

Just because you can build it, doesn’t mean you should.

Startups often fall into the trap of adding extra bells and whistles to impress users or stakeholders. But features that don’t directly contribute to your MVP’s core value should be avoided.

Don’t include:

• Advanced analytics dashboards
• Gamification elements
• Complex user profiles
• Integration with too many third-party services

Instead: Focus on 1–2 essential features that solve the main pain point.

2. Scalability-Focused Infrastructure

Scalability is crucial—for later. For your MVP, over-engineering the backend to handle millions of users is a mistake.

Avoid:

• Multi-region server deployment
• Highly redundant systems
• Complex CI/CD pipelines

Build lean. Tools like Firebase and Heroku can get your MVP off the ground quickly without complex setup.

3. Pixel-Perfect UI/UX Design

Design matters, but spending months on perfect branding or animation details at the MVP stage is a time sink.

Skip:

• Custom illustrations
• Overly detailed style guides
• Heavy motion graphics

Go for usability, not perfection. Simple, clean, and functional UI is enough to test your core idea. Services like Riemote can help you balance lean design with usability, ensuring you make the right first impression without going overboard.

4. User Customization Features

Early adopters care about solving a problem—not whether they can change their dashboard’s color or layout.

Not necessary:

• Theme selection
• Profile avatars
• Custom widgets

Keep it standardized. Once you know what works, you can tailor the experience later.

5. Comprehensive Onboarding or Help Systems

You might be tempted to include a guided tour, knowledge base, and chatbot right out of the gate. But that’s premature.

Too much too soon:

• Multi-step onboarding flows
• Extensive tooltips and walkthroughs
• Automated help assistants

Instead, create a short, clear onboarding process and offer basic FAQs. You can always improve based on feedback from real users.

6. Payment or Monetization Systems (If Not Core)

If your MVP’s goal is to test usage rather than revenue, avoid setting up complex billing systems. Only include monetization if it’s key to your value proposition.

Avoid:

• Tiered pricing plans
• Affiliate modules
• Promo codes

You can always validate willingness to pay through interviews or landing pages before adding payment gateways.

7. Security Features Beyond Basic Requirements

Yes, security matters—but enterprise-grade encryption, SSO, and GDPR compliance aren’t usually essential at the MVP stage.

Don’t overdo:

• Multi-factor authentication
• Advanced permission roles
• Legal compliance modules

Stick to essential data protection and authentication. Add more as you scale.

How to Know What to Include in Your MVP

Focus on these three questions:

1. Does this feature solve the core problem for users?
2. Will it help us learn something critical about our assumptions?
3. Can it be built quickly and cheaply?

If the answer to any is “no,” leave it out.

How Riemote Helps You Build the Right MVP

At Riemote, we specialize in MVP development for startups and tech-forward businesses. Our experienced remote teams know exactly how to balance speed, functionality, and usability. We’ll help you decide what to include in your MVP—and what to leave behind—so you can launch with confidence and clarity.

Conclusion: The Power of Saying No

Building an MVP isn’t about launching the best version—it’s about launching the right version. Knowing what not to include in your MVP is just as important as what you do include. Keep it lean, focused, and purpose-driven.

The key is to start small, learn fast, and iterate quickly. Don’t let unnecessary features slow you down. Instead, partner with a smart, agile team like Riemote to bring your MVP to life, the right way.

FAQs: What Not to Include in Your MVP

1. What should I not include in my MVP?
Avoid features that don’t directly support your core value proposition, such as advanced analytics, complex UI, and unnecessary integrations.

2. Why is it important to keep my MVP simple?
A simple MVP helps you test your assumptions quickly, reduce costs, and focus on real user feedback rather than hypothetical needs.

3. Should I include payment systems in my MVP?
Only if monetization is a key part of what you’re testing. Otherwise, it's better to validate user interest first.

4. Is detailed onboarding necessary in an MVP?
Not at the start. Keep it minimal—just enough to help users understand how to use your product.

5. How can Riemote help with MVP development?
Riemote provides expert product teams who specialize in lean MVPs. They help you build fast, focus on value, and skip the fluff.