Building with simplicity and scale in mind

We’re building an AI-enabled consumer social product (more coming soon). As we do that, we’ve had to think about tradeoffs – we’re building quickly now to validate but need to make sure what we build is resilient and stays relevant as we expand to more users. Here's our journey and where we landed.

If how we think about tradeoffs resonates with you – or if you’re curious to learn more about what we’re building and learn from a team of experienced consumer builders – let's discuss!

?? Our Tech Philosophy: Effectiveness Over Hype

Simplicity — Users do not care if we run a blazing-fast Kubernetes cluster. They want to use a product that solves their problems.

Scalability — We needed a stack that could grow with us, allowing us to focus on our core value proposition.

Support — As a startup, we need to move fast. Sticking with tech that has good community support helps us grow fast.

???Our Tech Stack: The What and Why

Frontend: React and Next.js

We've chosen React as our primary frontend library, coupled with Next.js for its powerful features:

• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): This gives us a performance edge and improved SEO.
• API Routes: Simplifying our backend architecture for certain functionalities.
• File-based Routing: Enhancing code organization and readability.

We're also in the process of migrating to TypeScript, a move that will bring:

• Stronger type safety
• Earlier error detection
• Improved code quality and maintainability

For styling, we've embraced Tailwind CSS, allowing for rapid UI development with its utility-first approach. We're implementing best practices like reusable components and standardized class ordering to keep our codebase clean and efficient.

Backend: Firebase and Serverless Architecture

For our backend services, we've chosen Firebase. This decision allows us to focus on building features rather than managing infrastructure. We're utilizing several Firebase services:

1. Authentication: Firebase Auth provides a secure, easy-to-implement authentication system out of the box.
2. Database: We use Firestore for our database needs. Its real-time capabilities and flexible NoSQL structure allow us to build reactive features and adapt our data model as our app evolves.
3. Serverless Functions: Firebase Functions enable us to run backend code without managing servers. We use these for more complex operations that can't be handled directly by the client.

While we're aware of alternatives like Supabase, we found that Firebase's mature ecosystem and tight integration with other Google Cloud services best suited our needs.

Testing and Deployment

As our application has grown, we've recognized the importance of a robust testing strategy. We're focusing on integration tests (Jest) for our backend services, particularly the Firebase Functions. These tests ensure that our core business logic remains solid as we iterate and add new features.

We've embraced a modern, streamlined deployment process:

1. Our frontend is deployed on Vercel, which provides an excellent developer experience for Next.js applications. It automatically creates preview deployments for pull requests, allowing us to review changes before they hit production.
2. Our Firebase Functions are deployed directly to Google Cloud.

This setup allows us to iterate quickly and confidently, with the ability to rollback if needed.

Monitoring and Analytics

To ensure we're providing the best experience for our users and to help us make data-driven decisions, we've implemented:

1. Error Tracking: We use Sentry for real-time error reporting, which integrates seamlessly with our Next.js application.
2. Analytics: Mixpanel gives us insights into user behavior.

??Lessons Learned

1. Prioritize simplicity over complexity— Users care more about solutions than underlying technology. For example, choosing Firebase for faster development and easier maintenance
2. Leverage familiar technologies and community support — Well-supported tech enables faster growth and problem-solving. For example, utilizing React and Next.js for frontend development
3. Maintain flexibility in your tech stack — Be prepared to adapt as your product and needs evolve. For example, revisiting technical debt and unexpected costs as we grow.

Balance immediate needs with long-term vision —? Quick starts shouldn't compromise future growth potential. For example, we started with JavaScript, but planning TypeScript migration.

What are your thoughts on our approach? Have you faced similar challenges in your projects? Let's discuss this!