₦airaland Forum

aktem:
My portfolio website is nearly complete, and I’ll be sharing visuals soon. A developer friend visited me today and, while reviewing my site, suggested I should have used Next.js instead of plain React. I responded that it’s not a big deal since Next.js is built on top of React. This got me thinking—why do developers often hype specific frameworks while overlooking the importance of core fundamentals? It also raises an interesting question: why is Next.js increasingly preferred over React in today’s development landscape? I’ll be exploring this in my next post.

Time to address this and let everyone know the reason why is Next.js increasingly preferred over Plain React today

Next.js is increasingly preferred over plain React because it enhances React with powerful features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), built-in routing, and API routes—all out of the box—making it more suitable for production-ready applications. While React is a library for building UI components, Next.js is a full-fledged framework that simplifies setup, improves performance (especially for SEO and page load speed), and streamlines development with features like image optimization, file-based routing, and automatic code splitting. This makes it an ideal choice for developers and teams looking to build fast, scalable, and SEO-friendly web apps with minimal configuration.

Mobile screen of the website in light mode

aktem:
Project 4: E-Commerce Website with Email-Based Ordering

For this project, the client requested a streamlined e-commerce website without automatic payment integration, user authentication, or a database system due to budget constraints. Instead, the website needed to allow customers to browse food items, add them to a cart, and place orders. Upon checkout, the order details would be sent directly to the client’s email via the EmailJS API. The client would then manually verify payments and contact customers via SMS, call, or WhatsApp to confirm orders.

To meet these requirements, I developed the website using Next.js and successfully integrated EmailJS for seamless order notifications. The project was completed within two weeks.

Quick project update: My client has decided to upgrade their website by adding backend functionality. New features include user authentication (login/signup), order history, user profiles, Paystack integration for payments, an admin dashboard, and more advanced tools.

Since I’m more comfortable with Firebase, I’ll be using it to handle the backend. So far, I’ve implemented user authentication—just haven’t pushed it to GitHub yet.

Sometimes I feel like I’m naturally evolving into a fullstack developer, not just frontend anymore, because I'm can now handle backend technologies comfortably. One step at a time.

For people that don't like dark theme. Almost done with User order history feature

thanks for the useful information

moinkhan00:
thanks for the useful information

You're welcome

aktem:
Quick project update: My client has decided to upgrade their website by adding backend functionality. New features include user authentication (login/signup), order history, user profiles, Paystack integration for payments, an admin dashboard, and more advanced tools.

Since I’m more comfortable with Firebase, I’ll be using it to handle the backend. So far, I’ve implemented user authentication—just haven’t pushed it to GitHub yet.

Sometimes I feel like I’m naturally evolving into a fullstack developer, not just frontend anymore, because I'm can now handle backend technologies comfortably. One step at a time.

The order history feature has been completed,users can now view their past orders. Each order is assigned a unique code, which can be generated using Firebase Firestore’s `addDoc()` method (which provides an auto-generated document ID), or by creating a custom order code using a function like `ORD-${date}-${randomString}` and storing it along with the order data.

aktem:
Quick project update: My client has decided to upgrade their website by adding backend functionality. New features include user authentication (login/signup), order history, user profiles, Paystack integration for payments, an admin dashboard, and more advanced tools.

Since I’m more comfortable with Firebase, I’ll be using it to handle the backend. So far, I’ve implemented user authentication—just haven’t pushed it to GitHub yet.

Sometimes I feel like I’m naturally evolving into a fullstack developer, not just frontend anymore, because I'm can now handle backend technologies comfortably. One step at a time.

Bro well done. I love what you do. I'm a web developer as well but still upcoming never worked on projects for any client but side projects. Pls how do you get your clients. Cos getting a job is not easy when you have no experience

LeoroxFx:
Bro well done. I love what you do. I'm a web developer as well but still upcoming never worked on projects for any client but side projects. Pls how do you get your clients. Cos getting a job is not easy when you have no experience

Thanks, bro. I understand — getting a job as a beginner with no experience is tough. I’ve been in your shoes.

In my case, what really helped me was this:

I’ve been a graphic designer for many years with a lot of clients.
I still do graphic design as a side hustle, but I transitioned into tech as a frontend developer 3 years ago.
At the start, I had no jobs or clients for web development — just like you.
Then I had an idea that changed everything:

I started telling my graphic design clients that I also build websites.
Anytime a new client contacted me for a logo, flyer, or any design, I made sure to mention that I create websites too.
Soon, I started getting website jobs regularly. It hasn't stopped since.
I always delivered quality work, and many clients referred me or came back with more jobs.
Here’s what you can do:
Build solid website projects, even if they’re personal projects.
Create social media accounts (especially TikTok, Twitter, etc.) and share your projects regularly.
Join and engage in tech/web dev discussions on your page or in communities.
Network with other developers.
Tell people (both online and offline) about your skills and what you offer.
Build a good portfolio website and a professional GitHub account.
Make sure your GitHub has 2–3 strong personal projects.
Apply for jobs and internships as often as possible.
Most importantly, keep improving your skills — be good at what you do.
If you stay consistent and determined, you’ll eventually land either a salaried job or regular freelance projects

aktem:
The order history feature has been completed—users can now view their past orders. Each order is assigned a unique code, which can be generated using Firebase Firestore’s `addDoc()` method (which provides an auto-generated document ID), or by creating a custom order code using a function like `ORD-${date}-${randomString}` and storing it along with the order data.

.

I’m excited to share that I’ve successfully integrated the Paystack payment gateway into the food ordering and delivery web application. This was done using Paystack’s API with both the secret and public keys, alongside proper implementation of the callback and webhook URLs to securely handle payment confirmations.

So far, the following core features have been fully implemented:

User Authentication
User Profile Management
Order History Tracking
Secure Online Payments via Paystack
The final major component in progress is the Admin Dashboard, which will handle order management, product updates, and user activity monitoring.

Looking forward to completing the final phase and sharing more updates soon. Feedback is welcome!

This project has been a great opportunity to apply full-stack development skills in a real-world context. I’m also exploring performance optimizations and mobile responsiveness as part of the final polish.

aktem:
.

I’m excited to share that I’ve successfully integrated the Paystack payment gateway into the food ordering and delivery web application. This was done using Paystack’s API with both the secret and public keys, alongside proper implementation of the callback and webhook URLs to securely handle payment confirmations.

So far, the following core features have been fully implemented:

User Authentication
User Profile Management
Order History Tracking
Secure Online Payments via Paystack
The final major component in progress is the Admin Dashboard, which will handle order management, product updates, and user activity monitoring.

Looking forward to completing the final phase and sharing more updates soon.

Finally, the admin dashboard feature is ready and has been implemented.

Tip for Developers:
Always handle your API keys with care. Avoid putting them directly in your source code. Instead, store them in .env or .env.local files, depending on your setup. This helps prevent accidental exposure, which can lead to issues like unauthorized access, high usage bills, or even data problems. Keeping your credentials safe also protects your users and maintains trust.

Project 8: Been busy for a while. I just worked on a website project for a Real estate company. Proper details coming very soon.

I don't specialize only on react and next.js for my website job, I also design beautiful Wordpress websites like this. Some clients prefer wordpress because of low budget and some prefer it because they want to be in control of the website.

opj21:
Pls help a brother, how venue is digital regnesis Some one what to learn tech from them??

baba, check ut mail pls. i hv smtn to ask u.
tnx

Mobile screen, Responsiveness is a major feature to look out for in a website. A fully responsive website will look good on all screens. Both Mobile, meduim and desktop screen.

hay boss, can we connect? I am a beginner if you don't mind putting me in your team.

aktem:
.

I’m excited to share that I’ve successfully integrated the Paystack payment gateway into the food ordering and delivery web application. This was done using Paystack’s API with both the secret and public keys, alongside proper implementation of the callback and webhook URLs to securely handle payment confirmations.

So far, the following core features have been fully implemented:

User Authentication
User Profile Management
Order History Tracking
Secure Online Payments via Paystack
The final major component in progress is the Admin Dashboard, which will handle order management, product updates, and user activity monitoring.

Looking forward to completing the final phase and sharing more updates soon. Feedback is welcome!

Do you have a demo version of this site ?

Also do you have any samples of wordpress websites you have developed recently ?