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

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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

Fresh Bread (Large)
$2.50
0
Chocolate Croissant
$3.00
0

Total: $0.00

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]!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How does the "Real-Time" aspect of the prototype work?
A: The app uses Google Apps Script as a bridge. When a customer clicks "Send Order," the data is pushed instantly to a designated Google Sheet. This allows the shop owner to see new orders pop up on their screen without needing a complex database setup.
Q: Why did you use an iframe technique for printing receipts?
A: Standard browser print commands often include the entire webpage (menus, sidebars). By using a hidden iframe, the prototype isolates only the receipt content, ensuring a professional, clean printout that fits standard thermal printers or standard A4 paper.
Q: Is this app secure for processing payments?
A: This is a functional prototype designed for order management, not a full payment gateway. Currently, it follows a "Pay at Counter" model. For a production environment, I would integrate APIs like Stripe or PayPal for secure financial transactions.
Q: Can this prototype be used by other small businesses?
A: Yes! The logic is modular. By simply updating the product list in the JavaScript and changing the Google Sheet ID, this system can be adapted for coffee shops, florists, or any service-based business requiring simple order tracking.

Have more questions? Feel free to leave a comment below or contact me through the "About Me" page.

Anup Ain

About the Author

I’m Anup Ain, a Digital Marketing Strategist and blogger.

Location: Bolpur, West Bengal 731204, India

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