From Zero to Hero: Build Full stack Food Delivery App using Next.js and PostgreSQL
Tags: webdev, javascript, nextjs, beginners
Published: 2024-07-13 05:33:35

In today's fast-paced world, the demand for efficient food delivery services is higher than ever. To meet this demand, creating a robust and user-friendly food delivery app is crucial. This blog post will guide you through building a food delivery app using Next.js, incorporating essential features for users, restaurants, and administrators. Moreover, this guide will help you upskill your knowledge in modern web development practices. Let's dive in!

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## Core Features

👨‍👩‍👧 User
1. User Registration and Login

2. Social Media Login Options: Allow users to register and log in using their Google account or mobile number for a seamless experience.

3. Email and Password Login: Traditional email and password authentication for those who prefer it.
Browse Restaurants

4. Search and Filter: Users can search and filter restaurants by cuisine, location, rating, and more.

5. Restaurant Details: Provide comprehensive details including menus, photos, and operating hours.
Menu Display

6. Detailed Menus: Each restaurant's menu will feature item descriptions, prices, and high-quality images to entice users.
Order Placement

7. Add to Cart: Users can easily add items to their cart.
Customization: Options to customize orders, such as extra toppings or removing ingredients.

8. Order Summary and Confirmation: A clear summary of the order before final confirmation.
Payment Gateway Integration

9. Multiple Payment Options: Support for credit/debit cards and mobile wallets.

10. Secure Payment Processing: Ensure secure transactions through Stripe integration.
Order Tracking

11. Real-Time Updates: Keep users informed with real-time status updates and estimated delivery times.
User Profile

12. Personal Details: Users can view and edit their personal information.
Order History: Access to past orders for reordering or reference.
Notifications

14. Push Notifications: Send updates about order status, promotions, and more using Socket.io and web sockets.

## 👨‍🍳 Restaurant

1. Restaurant Registration and Login

2. Easy Onboarding: Simplified registration process for restaurants.
Dashboard Access: A dedicated dashboard for managing their presence on the platform.
Menu Management

3. Manage Menu Items: Add, edit, and delete menu items with ease.
Availability: Control the availability of items in real-time.
Order Management

4. Incoming Orders: View and manage incoming orders efficiently.
Update Order Status: Update the status of orders (preparing, out for delivery, delivered).
Profile Management

5. Edit Details: Update restaurant details such as address, hours, and contact information.
Analytics

6. Sales Reports: Basic reports to track sales performance.
Order Statistics: Insights into order trends and customer preferences.

## Admin Side
1. Admin Dashboard

2. User and Restaurant Management: Oversee and manage all users and restaurants on the platform.

3. App Statistics: View comprehensive statistics to monitor app performance.

4. Content Management
Promotional Content: Manage and schedule promotional content.
Issue Handling: Address issues reported by users and restaurants.

## Technology Stack

Frontend

**Framework:** Next.js 14 for a powerful, server-rendered application.

**Design:** Tailwind CSS 3 and shadcn UI for a sleek, responsive design.

**State Management:** Context API for efficient state management.
Backend

**Database:** PostgreSQL for reliable and scalable data storage.
Authentication: JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for secure user authentication.

Third-Party Services
**Payment Gateway:** Stripe for secure and flexible payment processing.

**Notification Service:** Socket.io and web socket for real-time notifications.

## Upskill Your Knowledge
Building a food delivery app is not just about creating a functional product; it's also an opportunity to enhance your web development skills. Here are some ways you can upskill your knowledge through this project:

## Master Next.js:

1. Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Understand the benefits of SSR for SEO and performance.
2. Static Site Generation (SSG): Learn how to pre-render pages at build time.
3. API Routes: Use Next.js API routes to handle backend logic directly within your Next.js app.
Design with Tailwind CSS and shadcn UI:

4. Responsive Design: Create a responsive and visually appealing interface.
5. Utility-First CSS: Use Tailwind CSS to quickly style your components with utility classes.
6. UI Components: Utilize shadcn UI for consistent and reusable components.
7. State Management with Context API:

8. Global State Management: Manage global state efficiently using Context API.
9. Performance Optimization: Optimize state management to prevent unnecessary re-renders.

## Secure Authentication with JWT:
1. Token-Based Authentication: Implement secure authentication using JWT.
2. Authorization: Protect routes and resources based on user roles.
Integrate Third-Party Services:

3. Stripe Integration: Learn to integrate and manage payments with Stripe.
4. Real-Time Communication: Use Socket.io for real-time notifications and updates.

## Database Management with PostgreSQL:

1. Data Modeling: Design efficient database schemas.
SQL Queries: Write complex queries to retrieve and manipulate data.
Deployment and Scaling:

2. Vercel Deployment: Deploy your Next.js app on Vercel for seamless scaling.

3. Performance Monitoring: Monitor app performance and optimize for better user experience.

## Conclusion
Building a food delivery app with Next.js can provide users with a seamless and enjoyable experience while offering restaurants the tools they need to manage their operations efficiently. 

By integrating essential features like secure payment processing, real-time order tracking, and comprehensive user profiles, you can create a robust platform that meets the needs of both users and restaurants. Additionally, this project offers a valuable opportunity to enhance your web development skills, making you a more proficient and versatile developer. 

Start your journey today and revolutionize the food delivery industry! 🧑‍💻