This phase marks my first venture into web development, exploring different platforms, stacks, and languages needed to build a robust NGO website.

The Journey Begins

As a complete web development novice, my initial research led me through a maze of terms like "full-stack," "backend frameworks," and "middleware." While drag-and-drop platforms like WordPress seemed tempting, ObsCanFeedYou deserved a more robust, customized solution.

T3 Stack Project Creation

Creating a new T3 stack project with various package selections including NextAuth, Prisma, and Tailwind.

The T3 Stack

Thanks to my software engineer roommates, I discovered the T3 stack - a collection of tools that work together to simplify web development while maintaining professional standards.

React

A component-based tool that lets me build websites in reusable pieces. Like building with Lego blocks, I can create once and reuse everywhere, making updates and maintenance much simpler.

Next.js

Enhances React by handling the overall layout and backend functionality. It manages page loading, routing, and server-side operations without requiring additional server setup.

Tailwind CSS

A styling tool with pre-made classes that can be applied directly to HTML. Instead of writing custom CSS, I can use intuitive class names like "bg-blue-500" for instant styling.

Development and Deployment

Understanding that a website needs both a development environment and a deployment platform, I chose:

  • Local development using VS Code and Node.js
  • Vercel for deployment, offering seamless integration with Next.js
  • Regular testing in both environments to catch potential issues early