Introduction
Every now and then, a project comes along that’s fast-paced, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I built a custom web application for a client in just 7 days — from the initial idea to deployment.
This case study covers the tools I used, my workflow, and lessons learned that might help you on your next digital product.
The Client Brief
A logistics startup needed a custom internal tool to manage bookings, track drivers, and view reports in real time. Requirements included:
- A modern and responsive dashboard
- Login/authentication system
- Booking form with dynamic fields
- Admin panel to view and update records
- Deployment on a secure server
My Approach (Day-by-Day Breakdown)
Day 1: Planning & Wireframing
Used Figma to create a simple wireframe for the dashboard and user flow. Identified must-have features for the MVP.
Day 2: Frontend Setup
Started building the interface using React + Tailwind CSS. Ensured mobile responsiveness and accessibility from day one.
Day 3: Backend API Development
Used Node.js and Express to create the REST API. Set up user authentication using JWT and implemented CRUD endpoints.
Day 4: Database Integration
Connected to MongoDB Atlas to store and retrieve booking and driver data. Defined clean schema and indexing.
Day 5: UI to API Integration
Connected frontend with backend APIs using Axios. Integrated form validation and real-time data rendering.
Day 6: Admin Dashboard & Role-Based Access
Created protected admin routes with dashboards showing reports and analytics using chart libraries.
Day 7: Testing & Deployment
Manually tested every feature, added loading/error states. Deployed the full app using Vercel (frontend) and Render (backend).
Tech Stack Used
| Feature | Stack |
|---|---|
| Frontend | React, Tailwind CSS |
| Backend | Node.js, Express |
| Database | MongoDB |
| Hosting | Vercel (frontend), Render (backend) |
| Tools | Git, Postman, JWT, Axios, Chart.js |
Key Takeaways
- MVP-first mindset helps reduce noise
- Having full control of both front and back end accelerated decisions
- Communication with the client daily kept the vision aligned
- Testing each component early avoided last-minute surprises
Final Thoughts
This project is a perfect example of how full stack development enables rapid innovation. If you’re building a startup, web tool, or need a reliable developer who can handle A–Z — I’m here to help.
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