Perhaps it’s because many start-ups are created by developers that having a variety of features is often embraced as the way to capture users.

As a result, many services offer a menu of features to engage and attract users. And more features are added on a regular basis based on the assumption that more is better.

The problem is it’s not the number of features that users find compelling but whether a service delights users, which, of course, is easier said than done.

The reality is a service can be delightful by offering a single feature as opposed to a Denny’s-size menu of services. It can be a tough pill to swallow for start-ups because it means focusing a service on usability, design and marketing rather than creating more bells and whistles

So how can developers thrive when less (features) is seen as more? The answer is they need to make the existing services more robust or create enhanced versions of the core services.

So what are good examples of services with a narrow focus. Perhaps the best example is Dropbox, which offers online storage online and filing share. DropBox delights users despite its simplicity. But the way that DropBox has maintained to delight users AND offer more (thereby keeping its developers happy) is by enhancing its core service with add-ons such as premium services (more storage) and mobile applications. DropBox could offer more features but it may not necessarily mean a lot more users.

The other element of delight is accessibility and user-friendliness. Every step along the way – core messaging on the home page, the registration process, demo videos, customer service and payments – need to be intuitive and grit-free.

For some more insight into how to delight users, check out this Smashing Magazine article on the elements of a viral launch page.