Web applications power modern business — from SaaS platforms and internal tools to customer portals and real-time dashboards. Building one well requires thoughtful architecture, the right technology choices, and a disciplined development process.
Web Application vs Website
A traditional website primarily displays information. A web application is interactive — users log in, manipulate data, trigger workflows, and get real-time feedback. Examples include project management tools, CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and analytics dashboards.
Choosing the Right Architecture
Monolithic Architecture
Everything in one codebase and deployment unit. Simple to start with, but harder to scale independently. Best for MVPs and small-to-medium applications.
Microservices Architecture
Each feature or domain runs as an independent service. Enables independent scaling and deployment but adds operational complexity. Best for large, complex applications with multiple teams.
Serverless Architecture
Functions execute on demand without managing servers. Pay-per-execution pricing and automatic scaling. Best for event-driven workloads and applications with variable traffic.
The Modern Tech Stack
Frontend
- React / Next.js — Component-based UI with server-side rendering and static generation
- TypeScript — Type safety that catches bugs before they reach production
- Tailwind CSS — Utility-first styling that ships minimal CSS
Backend
- Node.js — JavaScript runtime for building fast, scalable APIs
- Convex / Supabase — Real-time backend-as-a-service platforms
- PostgreSQL — Battle-tested relational database for complex queries
Infrastructure
- Vercel — Zero-config deployment with edge functions and analytics
- Docker — Containerization for consistent environments
- GitHub Actions — CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment
Development Workflow
1. Requirements & Planning
Define user stories, acceptance criteria, and technical constraints. Create a product roadmap that balances ambition with feasibility.
2. Design & Prototyping
Map out user flows, wireframe key screens, and create interactive prototypes. Validate with real users before writing production code.
3. Sprint-Based Development
Work in 1-2 week sprints with clear deliverables. Daily standups keep the team aligned. End-of-sprint demos ensure stakeholder visibility.
4. Testing
- Unit tests for business logic
- Integration tests for API endpoints
- End-to-end tests for critical user flows
- Performance tests for load handling
5. Deployment & Monitoring
Deploy with blue-green or canary strategies to minimize risk. Monitor errors, performance, and user behavior in production.
Security Considerations
Security must be designed in, not bolted on:
- Authentication: Use proven solutions like Clerk, Auth0, or NextAuth
- Authorization: Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
- Data validation: Validate all inputs server-side with Zod or similar
- HTTPS everywhere: Encrypt all data in transit
- Rate limiting: Protect APIs from abuse
- SQL injection prevention: Use parameterized queries or an ORM
How RCB Software Builds Web Applications
We specialize in building custom web applications with Next.js, TypeScript, and modern backend services. Our process emphasizes type safety, automated testing, and production-grade infrastructure. Every application we ship is built for reliability, performance, and long-term maintainability.