Balancing Your MVP Build Focusing on Buyers and Users
- Deanne Watt
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
When building your MVP, the pressure to gain traction and revenue can be overwhelming. Often, this means prioritizing features that attract buyers, leaving user experience as an afterthought. While this might create short-term wins, neglecting the end user can lead to high churn and missed opportunities to build a sustainable product. The challenge is finding the balance: creating a lean MVP that delivers value to both buyers and users. Here are seven actionable tips to guide your approach.
1. Start with Dual Personas: Buyer and User
Clearly define both your buyer and user personas. Understand their motivations, needs, and potential conflicts.
Impact:
If you do this: You'll identify overlaps and gaps early, helping you create a product that appeals to both.
If you don't: You risk building a product that sells but fails to retain users.
Example: Create a shared document outlining pain points for both personas. Highlight where their needs align (e.g., ease of setup for buyers, ease of use for users).
2. Validate Pain Points with Users, Not Just Buyers
Conduct user interviews and usability tests to ensure the problems you’re solving resonate with end users.
Impact:
If you do this: You’ll build credibility with users, increasing engagement and retention.
If you don't: Your product might meet buyer expectations but fail to drive actual usage.
Example: Before finalizing your MVP scope, run 10-15 usability sessions with prospective users to test core assumptions.
3. Prioritize Features with Dual Value
Focus on features that deliver value to both buyers and users in your MVP.
Impact:
If you do this: You’ll maximize limited resources by addressing shared priorities.
If you don't: You risk bloating your MVP with unnecessary buyer-focused features.
Example: Instead of building advanced analytics dashboards for buyers, start with simple, actionable insights that also help users.
4. Emphasize User Onboarding
Create a seamless onboarding experience to ensure users quickly understand how to get value from the product.
Impact:
If you do this: Users are more likely to stick around and engage with the product.
If you don't: A confusing onboarding process will increase churn.
Example: Use walkthrough tools like Appcues or Pendo to guide users through your MVP’s key features.
5. Test Retention Metrics Early
Include retention-focused KPIs in your MVP success criteria, such as DAUs, MAUs, or feature adoption rates.
Impact:
If you do this: You’ll identify whether users find your product valuable.
If you don't: You’ll focus solely on sales, missing red flags in user engagement.
Example: Monitor how many users complete a critical workflow within the first week and adjust your MVP accordingly.
6. Avoid Feature Overload
Keep your MVP lean by focusing only on the core features needed to test your hypotheses.
Impact:
If you do this: You’ll save time and money while staying agile.
If you don’t: A bloated MVP delays launch and complicates user feedback.
Example: Use a framework like the MoSCoW method (Must-Have, Should-Have, Could-Have, Won’t-Have) to prioritize features.
7. Close the Feedback Loop
Regularly gather feedback from both buyers and users and use it to refine your MVP.
Impact:
If you do this: You’ll build trust and align your product with market needs.
If you don’t: You’ll miss out on insights that could improve your product.
Example: Set up monthly feedback sessions with key users and buyers to review their experience and suggest improvements.
Balancing your MVP to meet the needs of buyers and users is no easy task, but it’s essential for long-term success. By applying these tips, you can build a lean product that not only drives revenue but also creates lasting value for your users.
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