Building a Modern Munro Tracking App: Seeking Expert Feedback and Guidance
As an aspiring developer venturing into a new side project, Iโm eager to gather insights from experienced professionals to ensure Iโm heading in the right direction.
A bit about my background: Iโve spent several years working in the web development realm, primarily using low-code and no-code platforms such as Squarespace and Webflow. Iโm comfortable working with vanilla HTML and CSS, and Iโve dabbled in JavaScript to create custom plugins. However, I feel my growth has plateaued, and Iโm looking to challenge myself further by developing a tool I find personally useful.
The Inspiration
Iโm an avid hill-walker from Scotland, and Iโve become passionate about Munro Baggingโclimbing hills over 3,000 feet in elevation. Scotland boasts 282 such peaks, and enthusiasts often aim to check off each one. While there are existing websites like munromap.co.uk and munrobagger.scot to track progress, they tend to look outdated and lack modern usability.
I want to build a sleek, user-friendly single-page application (SPA) that provides a more polished experience. My vision includes features that enable users to compare their Munro lists with friends, facilitating planning and social sharingโsomething current options donโt quite offer.
My Current Tech Stack and Approach
After researching best practices, Iโve chosen the following technologies:
- Frontend: Next.js and Tailwind CSS, particularly to optimize Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by indexing individual Munro pages.
- Mapping: Mapbox GL for interactive, detailed maps.
- Backend & Authentication: Supabase for managing user authentication, database storage, and serverless functions.
- Hosting: Vercel for seamless deployment and hosting.
Looking for Feedback
As I am relatively new to this level of complexity, Iโm seeking validation on my planned architecture. Am I making prudent choices? Does this stack align well for building a scalable, modern web app?
Additionally, I welcome any advice, tips, or resources that could help me navigate this learning curve more effectively.
Thanks in advance for your support and insights!