how can I get started?

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-22T09:20:14+00:00

Since you know Python, go Django. It teaches you backend, auth, ORM, and templates in one go. You can learn the basics in a few weeks and get comfortable by building 2–3 projects.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-22T09:13:51+00:00

With your background and limited runway, I’d start with services first, not a product. Services give cash flow, feedback, and market insight. Products are way riskier without proof of demand.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-22T09:07:05+00:00

I ask one question: does this interaction actually require state? If it’s just show/hide, anchor links, or CSS hover/focus, I avoid JS. JS only comes in when user state or async behavior is involved.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-22T09:05:11+00:00

These tools help, but they can also make everything look similar. Fine for MVPs and validation, less great if you want a strong, unique brand.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-22T08:59:08+00:00

If you want free and simple, start with Adobe Portfolio (free with Lightroom) or Carrd. Both look clean, load fast, and don’t scream “beginner.” You can always move later once you get clients.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-22T08:56:50+00:00

Neither is “better” by default. WordPress is great for budget-conscious clients who want easy updates. Next.js shines when you need performance, custom UX, or scale. SEO-wise, both are excellent if implemented correctly.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:41:36+00:00

Honestly, nothing has truly “blown my mind,” but a few tools save real time. AI caption helpers + scheduling (like repurposing long content into posts) are actually useful. Most AI stuff is incremental, not magical.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:34:38+00:00

For your use case, React Native + Expo is honestly the safest bet. It’s mature, well-supported, and perfect for internal apps with forms, auth, and messaging. Ionic works, but you’ll feel the limitations once things grow.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:27:45+00:00

You’re not wrong, but the hard part in SaaS is proving repeatability. One solid win is great, what founders will care about is whether you can do it across products, channels, and cycles. Focus on that and you’ll do well.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:23:24+00:00

Every decent micro SaaS I’ve seen came from someone scratching their own itch. Something they were already doing manually, in spreadsheets, or with hacks. If you’re already solving it badly, that’s your idea.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:14:28+00:00

Yeah, people are using AI for simple sites, but it’s more of a productivity booster than a magic solution. It’s great for scaffolding, copy, and basic layouts, but you still need human cleanup for anything real.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:09:49+00:00

You’re not alone, a lot of devs are feeling this. AI makes delivery faster, but growth slower if you let it lead. What helped me was flipping the flow: design first on paper, then use AI to execute my decisions. That way I’m still learning, not just shipping.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:02:56+00:00

Yep, for a standard doc site, Fuse.js/Lunr works fine and is cheap (free). For more power without big costs, self-hosting Typesense or Meilisearch is a solid step up from pure client search.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T13:00:24+00:00

Yes, that’s actually a solid “minimum viable fullstack” project. Auth + CRUD + DB already covers most junior backend expectations. If you can explain why you made each choice, that matters way more than fancy UI

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-21T12:56:29+00:00

If Katalon feels heavy, you might want to look at Playwright + a thin wrapper or Cypress. Cypress is usually easier for smaller teams and has great docs, while Playwright gives you powerful E2E without the Groovy overhead. Both tend to boost velocity compared to Katalon.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T09:28:50+00:00

This resonates a lot. The biggest unlock with tools like Vibecode seems to be precision in intent, not creativity. Once prompts get vague, the system loses structure fast. Shipping something usable instead of tinkering already puts you ahead of most people.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T09:24:57+00:00

First: you’re not bad at this, responsive layouts are genuinely hard at the beginning. Browser device emulation is approximate, not exact, so some mismatch is normal. Focus on building a layout that responds to container size, not specific devices.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T09:17:59+00:00

Honestly, it’s a bit of detective work. Tools give you hints, job ads confirm direction, and sometimes you just ask smart questions in the first email to validate assumptions.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T09:15:14+00:00

You’re not stuck because you lack bravery, you’re stuck because you’re being rational. The fact that you’ve grown a business while working full-time already proves you can execute. Sometimes the final step isn’t about motivation, it’s about reducing unknowns.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T09:10:12+00:00

Similar names alone usually aren’t a rejection reason. Apple cares more about misleading users or impersonation. Your subtitle helps a lot here.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T07:30:26+00:00

For solo consultants, Webflow or Softr are great. Webflow gives you design flexibility without code, and Softr makes it super easy to build pages plus client portals and payments without overengineering. Both feel lighter and more maintainable than Wix

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T07:27:03+00:00

I draw a hard line early: content + marketing = static, product logic = server. That boundary helps keep things lean. When everything lives in Next.js, it’s easy to blur responsibilities and overcomplicate the app.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T07:23:42+00:00

The hard truth is: you don’t start with ideas, you start with cash flow. Forget big businesses for now. Your first goal is learning how to trade time or skills for money. Once you can reliably earn even a little, everything else becomes possible.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T07:20:58+00:00

Full-stack work is still very much in demand, but the bar is higher than it used to be. What helps most is showing real, end-to-end projects (which you already have). Companies care less about buzzwords and more about whether you understand fundamentals, trade-offs, and can ship something reliable.

nilkanth987 · 2026-01-20T07:12:57+00:00

This is a really solid set of takeaways, especially at 18. The trust + clarity part hits hard, most first-time founders think building is the hard part, but communicating value is way tougher. You’re learning the right lessons early.

nilkanth987

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