Early Projects, Big Lessons
Introduction
Looking back on my first few projects reveals just how far I’ve come. This case study explores the missteps and the triumphs that ultimately shaped the way I approach development today. Let’s dive into the wild world of my early projects.
Projects mentioned in this case study
My First Client Project: A Roller coaster of Chaos and Triumph
This early project involved developing a website for a gymnastics association dedicated to helping young athletes in the NYTSE program take their skills to the next level. The website serves as a platform for news, training schedules, a gallery, a blog, and contact information.
NYTSE website source code
The Mistakes
- Each element had its own ID-based style, making the whole thing a mess.
- Let’s just say resizing the browser window was an adventure, thanks to all those pixel-based values.
What I learned
I learned a lot about the importance of clean, maintainable code. After this experience, I was all about creating reusable classes and components. It saved me tons of headaches in future projects.
Early Web Development Experience: Exploring Solutions for Small Businesses
Before diving into more complex projects like Marketing Puzzle or Több Mint Tüzép, I honed my skills by working on websites for smaller businesses: CsempePiramis specializing in tiles and related materials, and Pillér Építőanyag Kereskedés focusing on building materials.
The goal was to create a strong online presence for these companies, showcasing their product categories and ranges through a modern and user-friendly design. Additionally, by including well-functioning features like contact forms and SEO-optimized content, I ensured potential customers could easily find and connect with the businesses.
- Learning from limitations: While both provided valuable learning experiences, these projects also highlighted the limitations of visual no-code builders. These platforms often generate bulky code structures with unnecessary elements, leading to “code bloat.” This bloatware can significantly slow down website loading times. Even after optimization efforts, no-code platforms often lack the flexibility for further performance optimization
- Understanding the value of visual builders: However, this experience wasn’t without its merits. Working with page builders instilled in me an understanding for their role in web development, particularly for smaller companies. These platforms offer a cost-effective solution for businesses with limited budgets. The user-friendly interface empowers them to establish a web presence without the complexities and cost of custom coding.
In essence, these early projects highlighted the importance of understanding the trade-offs between user-friendliness and performance optimization. While no-code builders simplify website creation, they can come at the expense of code efficiency. This experience equipped me with a valuable perspective, allowing me to approach future projects with a focus on creating both user-friendly and high-performing websites.