# The "Done-in-a-Day" Website Development Approach

How lienau-berlin.de (opens new window) was created in just 4 hours through focused collaboration

# The Problem With Traditional Web Development

The conventional web development process is often unnecessarily prolonged. Multiple discovery meetings, lengthy proposal stages, back-and-forth communication, and extensive revision cycles can stretch a simple website project over weeks or even months. This traditional approach not only exhausts budgets but also delays market entry and creates frustration for clients who simply want to get their online presence established quickly.

For many small businesses and professionals, this extended timeline presents a significant barrier. When Carlo Lienau approached me needing a professional portfolio website to showcase his services in Berlin, he needed something efficient, professional, and bilingual – and he needed it quickly.

Instead of following the conventional path, I proposed something different: my "Done-in-a-Day" collaborative approach.

# What is the "Done-in-a-Day" Approach?

The "Done-in-a-Day" approach is an intensive, focused web development methodology I've refined over years of experience. It completely reimagines the traditional development timeline by compressing what would typically take weeks into a single, highly productive session.

Here's what makes it different:

• Direct Collaboration: Instead of fragmented communication over days or weeks, we work together in real-time for 4-8 hours via Discord with screen sharing and webcams
• Rapid Decision-Making: We make choices on the spot rather than deliberating over multiple meetings
• Progressive Development: We start with the roughest elements and progressively refine them
• Practical Compromises: We focus on what's achievable rather than getting lost in perfectionism
• Real-Time Feedback: Changes are implemented and evaluated immediately, not days later

This approach isn't about cutting corners – it's about cutting out the inefficiency and administrative overhead that typically slows down web development projects.

# The lienau-berlin.de (opens new window) Case Study

The lienau-berlin.de (opens new window) project serves as a perfect example of this methodology in action. Carlo needed a website that would showcase his diverse range of services (furniture assembly, kitchen installation, relocation services, and plumbing work) to both German and English-speaking clients in Berlin.

# The 4-Hour Timeline Breakdown

Here's how we transformed a concept into a fully-functional, hosted website in just four hours:

Hour 1: Discovery and Setup (Foundation)

• Quick discussion of needs and target audience
• Domain setup and Cloudflare Pages configuration
• GitHub repository creation
• Selection of Next.js and Tailwind CSS as our tech stack
• Initial project setup and repository connection

Hour 2: Design and Structure (Framework)

• Collaborative sketching of page structure
• Logo and brand identity development
• Color scheme and typography selection
• Layout implementation using Tailwind CSS
• Selection of appropriate icons and visual elements

Hour 3: Content Development (Substance)

• Writing key content sections in real-time
• Translation into both German and English
• Integration of the client's images
• Implementation of responsive design elements
• Setting up language switching functionality

Hour 4: Refinement and Launch (Finalization)

• Testing across devices and browsers
• Implementation of SEO basics
• Final visual adjustments
• Deployment to production
• DNS configuration and site launch

By the end of our four-hour session, lienau-berlin.de was live – a complete, bilingual, responsive portfolio website ready to attract clients.

# When the "Done-in-a-Day" Approach Works Best

While this intensive approach has proven extremely effective, it's particularly well-suited to certain types of projects:

# Ideal Project Types:

• Simple Portfolio Websites: Showcasing professional services or creative work
• Landing Pages: Focused on a specific product or service
• Minimal Business Sites: For small businesses with straightforward needs
• Event Sites: Time-sensitive websites for upcoming events
• Minimum Viable Products (MVPs): Getting the essential version launched quickly

# Ideal Client Scenarios:

• Clients under time pressure to launch
• Decision-makers who can participate in the entire session
• Projects with clear, focused objectives
• Situations where budget constraints make traditional development prohibitive
• Clients comfortable with making decisions quickly

The lienau-berlin.de project was an ideal candidate: a single professional needing a straightforward portfolio site who could commit to a focused session and make decisions on the spot.

# The Technology Stack That Makes It Possible

The rapid development approach relies on selecting the right tools and technologies that enable speed without sacrificing quality:

# For lienau-berlin.de we used:

• Next.js: For fast development and excellent performance
• Tailwind CSS: For rapid styling without writing custom CSS
• TypeScript: For type safety and preventing errors
• next-intl: For implementing the bilingual functionality
• Cloudflare Pages: For easy deployment and hosting
• GitHub: For version control and deployment automation

This modern stack eliminates many traditional bottlenecks, allowing us to implement features and make changes at a much faster pace than conventional development approaches.

# The Results: Benefits Beyond Speed

While the most obvious benefit of the "Done-in-a-Day" approach is the dramatic reduction in development time, the advantages extend far beyond just speed:

# For the Client:

• Immediate Results: Seeing the website come to life in real-time
• Cost Efficiency: Fewer billable hours and no project management overhead
• Early Market Entry: Getting online and attracting customers sooner
• Reduced Decision Fatigue: Making all key decisions in one session
• Deeper Engagement: Being part of the creation process creates ownership

# For the Development Process:

• Streamlined Communication: No delays waiting for feedback
• Focused Creative Energy: Sustained momentum throughout the project
• Fewer Revisions: Real-time feedback eliminates most revision cycles
• Clearer Priorities: Working in a time-constrained environment forces focus on what truly matters

After our session, Carlo had a few minor refinements he wanted to implement, but the core website was complete and already serving its purpose – attracting new clients to his services in Berlin.

# Limitations and Considerations

While the "Done-in-a-Day" approach offers significant advantages, it's important to acknowledge its limitations:

• Not suitable for complex, feature-rich websites that require extensive custom functionality
• Requires full commitment from key decision-makers for the duration of the session
• May not accommodate extensive content development if writing needs to be researched or carefully crafted
• Works best when design preferences are flexible rather than highly specific
• Usually results in 90-95% completion, with some minor refinements needed afterward

These limitations simply define the boundaries of when this approach is most effective, rather than undermining its value for the right projects.

# Conclusion: Rethinking What's Possible in Web Development

The lienau-berlin.de (opens new window) project demonstrates that with the right approach, tools, and mindset, we can dramatically compress the web development timeline without compromising quality. By eliminating the administrative overhead and communication delays that plague traditional development, we can transform a process that typically takes weeks into something that can genuinely be completed in a day.

This approach isn't about cutting corners – it's about cutting out waste. It's about recognizing that for many website projects, especially for small businesses and professionals, a good website launched quickly is far more valuable than a perfect website launched weeks or months later.

For clients under time pressure, working with limited budgets, or simply wanting to see immediate results, this intensive collaborative approach offers a compelling alternative to conventional development methods. The lienau-berlin.de project stands as proof that sometimes, the best way to build a website isn't by slowing down and deliberating every detail – it's by gaining momentum and making progress in real-time, together.

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If you're interested in learning more about my "Done-in-a-Day" web development approach or want to discuss how it might work for your project, feel free to reach out at [email protected].