Don't build simple to succeed

The Pareto principle (also known as the law of the vital few) states that in many things, 80% of the consequences come from 20% of the causes. I think when 37Signals et.al. preach to keep it simple, they really mean implement the 20% of the feature set that will cover 80% of the use cases.

A lot of popular and simple products solve only the core of the problem (initial versions):

• Google search engine: There is really no interface, no way to track history, no way to star searches, no youtube previews, no calculator: it was still a raving success
• Apple iPod: On the release of the iPod Slashdot notes "No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame." But who cares when they solved the things that most people care about
• Twitter: Very limited communication, but still very popular since they nailed the features that their market group cares

Going after the core isn't that simple thought and I don't think it's the way to succeed. This can be easily seen by so many Web 2.0 applications that really are simple and that suck and have failed.

A better way to succeed is being exceptionally good at something, if you look around you, you will see that those that succeed are really brilliant in what they do, e.g.:

• 37Signals: Masters of marketing and deisgn
• Google: Masters of algorithms
• MySpace: Masters of virality

Some of course are just lucky, but majority of the people that do succeed are really exceptionally good at something.

If you want to succeed then don't go after the "simplicity" mantra, but aim to become exceptionally good at something, it improves your chances of succeeding a lot.