How We Built ProofPop.io in Just 4 Days Using staarter.dev
Jun 4, 2024
8
min read
ProofPop.io is a powerful social proof widget that displays data on validated purchases, visitor activity, and customer reviews. By utilizing staarter.dev, a powerful NextJS boilerplate, we were able to build this feature-rich SaaS application in just 4 days.
Key Features of ProofPop.io
Data ingestion from various sources, such as Stripe, LemonSqueezy and Product Hunt
Embeddable and highly configurable widget to display validated customer interactions
Near real-time data availability within the widget
Benefits of Using staarter.dev
BenefitDescriptionRapid PrototypingPre-built components and SaaS features accelerated developmentScalable ArchitectureMonorepo architecture and modular design for scalabilityComprehensive DocumentationDetailed guides for smooth setup and customizationResponsive DesignTailwind CSS and shadcn/ui for visually appealing UICommunity SupportLikeminded community and dedicated support team
4-Day Development Journey
Day 1: Defined core features, chose tech stack, and set up with staarter.dev
Day 2-3: Built key features like data ingestion and the widget itself.
Day 4: Thorough testing, performance optimization, and deployment to production
Try staarter.dev to experience the power of this NextJS boilerplate and build your dream SaaS application in record time.
Requirements
Skills Needed
To build ProofPop.io using staarter.dev within the ambitious 4-day timeline, the following skills were necessary:
Proficiency in Next.js and React: staarter.dev is built on the Next.js framework, which uses React for building user interfaces. A solid grasp of these technologies was crucial for efficient development.
JavaScript Expertise: Being well-versed in JavaScript, the primary language used in Next.js and React applications, was a prerequisite for working effectively with staarter.dev.
Familiarity with SaaS Development: Knowledge of common SaaS patterns, architectures, and best practices was required to leverage the SaaS-specific features and components provided by staarter.dev.
Experience with APIs and Third-Party Integrations: ProofPop.io required integrations with various third-party services and APIs. Familiarity with API development and integration was essential for seamless implementation.
Tools and Software Used
The following tools and software were utilized throughout the development process:
Tool/SoftwareDescriptionVisual Studio Code (or any preferred code editor)A robust and extensible code editor for writing, editing, and managing the codebase.staarter.devAccess to the staarter.dev boilerplate, which provided the foundation for building ProofPop.io.Git and GitHubVersion control with Git and a platform like GitHub for managing the codebase, collaborating with team members, and tracking changes.Node.js and yarnA Node.js runtime environment and the npm package manager were essential for installing dependencies and running the Next.js application locally.PostgreSQL (or any preferred database)A database solution for storing and managing application data, such as user accounts, feedback, and project information.Third-Party API Keys and CredentialsNecessary API keys and credentials for integrating with external services like payment gateways, and other APIs.Deployment Platform (e.g., Vercel, Netlify)A platform for deploying and hosting the ProofPop.io application, making it accessible to users.
Day 1: Planning and Setup
Defining Core Features
To start the ProofPop.io project, the first step was identifying the essential features for the minimum viable product (MVP). This involved analyzing the product vision and target audience to determine the key functionalities required for an initial launch. The core MVP features included:
Subscriptions: Allowing users to subscribe to different plans, user accounts will be created automatically after subscription.
Website Management: Enabling users to create websites and integrate their payment provider, as well as Product Hunt
Social Proof: Displaying near live user activity, recent purchases, and customer testimonials to build trust and enhance credibility on your website.
Customization Options: Offering a range of design and placement options to seamlessly integrate the social proof widget with your website’s branding and layout.
By focusing on these core features, the goal was to deliver a functional and valuable product to early adopters, gather feedback, and iterate based on real user needs.
Choosing the Tech Stack
The decision to use staarter.dev, a Next.js SaaS boilerplate, aimed to accelerate the development process further. staarter.dev provided a pre-configured codebase with essential SaaS features like authentication, database integration, and subscription management, reducing the need for extensive setup and boilerplate code.
This tech stack offered a balance between productivity, performance, and scalability, allowing the team to leverage existing knowledge and focus on building the core product features.
Setting Up with staarter.dev
With the tech stack in place, the next step was setting up the development environment using staarter.dev. The process involved cloning the staarter.dev repository, which provided a pre-configured Next.js project structure with essential SaaS features already implemented.
Day 2: Building the Foundation
User Authentication
The staarter.dev boilerplate made setting up user authentication simple. It includes a secure system for login, registration, and password reset, using tRPC and sessions. We removed the password and registration modules, as account creation would be handled automatically when a customer first subscribed.
Database and Data Models
The team created data models to store sales information, reviews, widget configuration, and other application data.
They implemented data validation and sanitization techniques to ensure only valid, secure data was stored. The data models were designed for scalability, anticipating future growth and potential schema changes.
Third-party Integrations
A core ProofPop.io feature is displaying social proof. The team integrated with payment providers, such as Stripe and LemonSqueezy, for sales data validation and allowing users to integrate them seamlessly within the application.
For subscription billing and payments, staarter.dev provided LemonSqueezy integration out-of-the-box. The team customized this to offer various subscription plans and pricing tiers, catering to different user needs and budgets.
They also integrated with an email service provider for transactional emails like account verification and notifications. This ensured a smooth user experience and improved communication.
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Day 2-3: Building Key Features
Social Proof Made Simple
ProofPop.io allows customers to create and manage social proof widgets. The team built a user-friendly interface where users could:
Add new websites
Connect their projects payment provider
Configure and test their social proof widget
The dashboard provides an overview of all active websites, along with key metrics like:
Validated sales and reviews
Tracked visitor count
Overcoming Development Challenges
One challenge the team faced was ensuring the application could handle large volumes of data without compromising performance. We implemented:
Caching mechanisms
Optimized database queries
This improved response times and reduced server load.
Another challenge was integrating with the third-party APIs, which required careful handling of:
Authentication
Data formats
Error handling
Utilizing shadcn/ui Components
shadcn's pre-built UI components and utilities significantly accelerated the development of ProofPop.io's user interface. These components saved time and ensured a consistent, polished look and feel.
Day 4: Final Touches and Launch
Thorough Testing
Before launching ProofPop.io, the team conducted rigorous testing to ensure the application was stable and functioned correctly:
1. Unit Testing
We wrote unit tests to verify individual components and functions worked as expected, catching bugs early.
2. Integration Testing
We tested the integration with third-party services like Stripe, LemonSqueezy and Product Hunt, simulating various scenarios and edge cases.
3. End-to-End Testing
We performed end-to-end tests to validate the entire application flow, from user authentication to data visualization.
4. Performance Testing
We conducted load and stress tests to ensure ProofPop.io could handle high traffic volumes without compromising performance or stability.
Deploying to Production
After extensive testing and optimization, the team deployed ProofPop.io to a production environment using Vercel, a popular hosting platform for Next.js applications:
1. Configuring Environment Variables
They set up environment variables for sensitive information like API keys and database credentials, ensuring they remained secure during deployment.
They connected the project's Git repository to Vercel and triggered a deployment, which automatically built and deployed the application to a secure and scalable environment.
3. Monitoring and Logging
They integrated monitoring and logging tools like Vercel Analytics and Datadog to track application performance, errors, and usage metrics in the production environment.
With ProofPop.io live and accessible to users, the team continued monitoring its performance, gathering feedback, and iterating on new features and improvements.
Conclusion
The 4-day Journey
Building ProofPop.io in just 4 days was an intense yet rewarding experience. By utilizing staarter.dev, we could rapidly prototype and launch a fully-featured SaaS application in record time. Each day presented its own set of tasks and milestones.
On Day 1, we defined the core features, chose the tech stack, and set up the project using staarter.dev's boilerplate. This allowed us to start with a solid foundation and pre-configured components, so we could focus on database setup and integrating with third-party services like Stripe. staarter.dev's pre-built features streamlined this process.
On Day 2 and 3, we developed key features like website creation, data ingestion, widget configuration and the widget itself. staarter.dev's comprehensive set of SaaS components and responsive design framework accelerated our development efforts.
Day 4 was dedicated to thorough testing, performance optimization, and deploying to production. Thanks to staarter.dev's integration with Vercel, we could seamlessly deploy and monitor our application in a secure and scalable environment.
Benefits of staarter.dev
Throughout this 4-day journey, staarter.dev proved to be an invaluable tool, providing numerous benefits that enabled us to build ProofPop.io efficiently:
BenefitDescriptionRapid PrototypingThe boilerplate's pre-built components and SaaS features allowed us to quickly prototype and iterate on ideas, saving valuable development time.Scalable Architecturestaarter.dev's monorepo architecture and modular design ensured that our application could scale and adapt to future requirements without compromising performance or maintainability.Comprehensive DocumentationIf we weren’t already as familiar with it, the documentation would have guided us through setup, customization, and best practices, minimizing roadblocks and ensuring a smooth development process.Responsive DesignWith Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui, we created a visually appealing and responsive user interface without sacrificing development speed.Community SupportIf you’re ever stuck when using the boilerplate, there’s a community of likeminded developers and the dedicated support team by your side.
Try staarter.dev
If you're looking to build a SaaS application or rapidly prototype your ideas, we recommend exploring staarter.dev. Its powerful features, comprehensive documentation, and supportive community make it an excellent choice for developers of all skill levels.
Whether you're a seasoned SaaS developer or just starting your journey, staarter.dev can help you streamline your development process, accelerate time-to-market, and create robust, scalable, and visually appealing applications.
Visit staarter.dev today and experience the power of this NextJS boilerplate for yourself. With staarter.dev, you too can build your dream SaaS application in record time.