Function Before Scale.

When I first wrote software, scaling was not even a consideration. My programs were meant for internal use only, running on a mainframe with a few dozen users at most. The Internet changed everything. Take, for example, a social media app which I joined in April 2023. At the time, it boasted a modest user base of less than 45,000. Fast forward less than two years, and that number has exploded to a staggering 30 million users. This exponential growth exemplifies the modern challenge of scalability in software development. Building software that can scale to accommodate millions of users is undeniably difficult. It requires careful planning, robust architecture, and constant optimization. However, in this article, I'm going to tell you something counterintuitive: why you should not focus on building scalable software right from the start.

Scaling is not the primary challenge for a new business. According to LendingTree, nearly 25% of U.S. businesses fail within their first year, and almost 50% close within five years. The main culprits? Insufficient funding and a lack of customers. Unlike in Field of Dreams, simply building a business doesn’t mean customers will come. Success hinges on proving demand and securing resources before worrying about scalability.

Building a fully scalable software system demands significantly more time and money than creating functional software for a limited user base. Scalable solutions also incur higher recurring costs for infrastructure and ongoing development. For startups, this means prioritizing functionality over scalability. Focus on proving there’s a market for your product first—scale only when growth demands it.

The same principle applies to established businesses launching new product lines. Nail the functionality first; once it works well and demand is evident, then invest in scaling. Starting small allows you to refine your offering without unnecessary expenses or complexity.

Understanding the potential scale of your business is crucial. For instance, social media start-ups must prepare for the possibility of serving tens or even hundreds of millions of users. In contrast, if your start-up targets a niche market, such as professionals in the U.S. film and TV industry, your maximum user base would likely be around 2 million. Similarly, a business focused on serving U.S. bicycle manufacturing employees would face a natural cap of fewer than 3,000 users. Recognizing these constraints can help you avoid over-engineering for scalability.

Building a software business is about understanding your market and delivering value before considering scalability. By focusing on functionality and validating your product within your target audience, you can create a solid foundation for future growth. Scaling should be a strategic decision made in response to proven demand, not an initial goal that diverts your attention from essential development tasks. Embrace the iterative process of refining your offering, and when the time is right, you can confidently scale your operations to meet the needs of a growing user base. Ultimately, success lies in balancing ambition with practicality.