This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Vadym
When you’re starting out in web development, everyone says “build projects.” But no one really tells you that small projects can teach you big things. Sometimes more than the tutorials or courses you grind through.
Here are a few mini-projects I built, what went wrong (or right, ha-ha), and the lessons that stuck with me way beyond the code.
1. The To-Do App (Yes, I Know)
- DOM manipulation gets messy fast without structure
- State management isn’t just a “React problem”
- UX matters more than you think — if deleting a task isn’t obvious, no one cares that it works
2. A Simple Portfolio Website
- Responsive design isn’t optional
- “Looks good on my screen” ≠ good enough
- Using rem/em units and flexbox/grid properly saves headaches later
3. A Weather App Using an API
- API keys, rate limits, and error handling are real things
- Skeleton loading states are underrated
My point is, you don’t need to build the next Uber clone to become a better developer. Build small. Break stuff. Fix it. Repeat.
Baby steps are super important as well. Let’s keep growing together!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Vadym