From Concept to Code: Building a Real-Time Ordering Prototype

A professional digital prototype showing a mobile ordering app for a bakery, featuring a smartphone with a menu, a shop dashboard on a tablet, a printed receipt, and fresh croissants on a wooden table.

In today’s competitive job market, showing is always better than telling. To demonstrate my ability to bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions, I developed Fresh Bakery QuickOrder—a lightweight, mobile-responsive web application designed to streamline order management for small businesses. This prototype isn't just a UI mockup; it’s a functional tool that handles real-time data and generates customer documentation.

Download the prompts I used to write this content

The Problem: Manual Order Chaos

Small local businesses often struggle with managing phone or walk-in orders during peak hours. Manual note-taking leads to errors, lost receipts, and slow service. I wanted to build a solution that requires zero installation for the customer while providing immediate value to the shop owner.

Key Features of the Prototype

  • Real-Time Data Integration: The app connects to a Google Sheets backend via Google Apps Script, acting as a free, live dashboard for the shop owner to track incoming orders.
  • Dynamic Cart Logic: A seamless JavaScript-driven interface allows users to adjust quantities and see total costs instantly without page reloads.
  • Professional Receipt Generation: Understanding that local shops need physical or digital proof, I integrated both a "Hidden Iframe" printing technique and a PDF download feature to ensure reliability across all browsers and devices.
  • Mobile-First Design: Using modern CSS variables and flexbox, the app is fully responsive, ensuring a premium experience on smartphones.

Technical Challenges & Solutions

One of the biggest hurdles was ensuring the "Print" functionality worked correctly when embedded in third-party sites like Google Sites. Standard browser print commands often fail in these environments. I solved this by creating a dynamic, temporary iframe that isolates the receipt content, ensuring a clean print every time. This demonstrates my attention to detail regarding the "Final User Experience."


Live Application Prototype

QuickOrder - Skip the Line

Fresh Bakery

Quick Order & Delivery Management

Order Details
Total Amount: $0.00

FRESH BAKERY

ORDER CONFIRMATION

TOTAL DUE:


Final Thoughts

This project taught me the importance of building with the end-user in mind. For developers looking to catch a recruiter's eye: don't just build a "To-Do" list. Build a tool that solves a specific business problem. By combining front-end interactivity with a functional backend and professional output (PDFs/Printing), I’ve created a portfolio piece that shows I am ready to tackle real-world software challenges.

Check out the code on my [Link to GitHub/Portfolio]!

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