Hi there! Mike here again... I'm excited to share how we build our tech stack at Hurrah.
We create special software solutions for small businesses, making sure they get exactly what they need quickly without costing them an arm and a leg.
Let's Start With My Journey
I started my career as a developer back in 2000, working on Microsoft Content Management System, built with SQL Server 2000 and Classic ASP. After five years, I moved on to design and build my first CMS using the newer .NET Framework 2. This project was completed in 2008 and is still used by Fortune 500 companies today, now updated to .NET Framework 4.8 and SQL Server 2016. Even though it works well, the front-end tech stack uses older frameworks like Web Forms and jQuery.
Transition to Freelancing
When I began freelancing and building sites from scratch, I switched to .NET 6, which was the next logical step, and stuck with SQL Server because it's reliable and modern. Hosting on Azure made it easy to offer clients advanced features like staging sites and automated deployments. However, building each site individually took too much time, which made my services more expensive.
A New Approach
I decided to use my CMS knowledge in a different way. Instead of creating a one-size-fits-all CMS, I wanted to give each client exactly what they needed. I didn't want to build another Wordpress-like system that was almost what clients wanted but not quite. Instead, I developed a system using NuGet packages. These packages handle various tasks like security, database updates, deployment, testing, authentication, and logging. They can be used or replaced as needed, keeping everything simple and efficient.
The Hurrah.Core System
With Hurrah.Core, I follow one important rule: nothing is added to the system until it is requested a second time. The first build of anything is custom, and if it's asked for again, it's built into the system in a modular and reusable way. This approach works great for common features like SEO, which are needed by everyone and quickly get integrated. However, most new Micro-SaaS sites are unique, so I don't carry the bloat of unused features.
Extending the System
Over time, I've added more features to keep client prices down and offer things they may not even know they need. For example, I can monitor errors using Sentry, automatically build SiteMap.xml files for all clients, handle file uploads to Azure Blob storage, and create plug-and-play Stripe integrations. This way, none of the client sites carry the extra baggage of unused features.
Our Tech Stack
Our tech stack is designed to be flexible. I'm a big fan of Razor components, which can be used in Blazor Server, Blazor WebAssembly, and soon Blazor Hybrid for mobile applications. This modern front-end framework leverages browser-based technology like Sockets and WebAssembly to provide a native app-like experience within a browser. With Blazor WebAssembly and a PWA, we can even build apps that can be installed on most devices. Though Apple is slower to adopt, these apps work in the browser and can be added to home screens, even if they're not in the app store.
Benefits of Our Approach
- Customization Without Compromise: Each client gets exactly what they need without extra features.
- Efficiency: Using reusable modules saves time and money.
- Performance: Our solutions are hosted on Azure, providing reliable and scalable performance.
- Versatility: We can build both web-based applications and cross-platform mobile apps quickly and efficiently.
Case Studies
- Client A: We built a custom invoicing solution with Stripe integration in just two weeks.
- Client B: We created a mobile-friendly app with real-time inventory tracking, saving thousands in development costs.
- Client C: We migrated their old system to our modular stack, adding new features and improving performance by 50%.
Get Started with Hurrah.dev
Don't settle for a generic Micro-SaaS solution. Partner with Hurrah.dev and get a custom solution built with speed, efficiency, and affordability in mind. Our modular tech stack and proven development process ensure you get exactly what your business needs to thrive.
Until next time...
-Mike
