How I Built My Side Project with No Backend (Using Firebase + Cloudflare)

How I Built My Side Project with No Backend (Using Firebase + Cloudflare)

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Why I Skipped the Backend

Building a side project solo can quickly get overwhelming.
You have to design backend architecture, set up authentication, build APIs, configure databases...
It’s a massive time and energy sink.

So I asked myself:

"Can I build something useful without a traditional backend?"

The answer? Absolutely.

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Tech Stack

Here’s the stack I used to build a fully functional, backend-free web app:

• Hosting & CDN: Cloudflare Pages
• Authentication: Firebase Auth
• Database: Firebase Firestore (NoSQL)
• Analytics: Firebase Analytics
• Domain Management: Cloudflare DNS
• Frontend: React + Tailwind CSS
• Form Handling (optional): Firebase Functions

✨ This setup provided authentication, data storage, fast page loads, and free hosting — all without managing servers.

No servers. No DevOps headaches. Just code, deploy, and go live.

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How It Works

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Frontend: Built with React, deployed on Cloudflare Pages
  → Instant static site deployment
• Authentication: Handled via Firebase Auth (email & Google login)
  → Seamless auth management without extra backend code
• Database: Firebase Firestore stores all app data
  → Direct client SDK usage, no server in between
• Optional Logic: Serverless functions via Firebase Functions
  → Lightweight backend processing if needed

✅ With this setup, I was able to ship a real, working MVP — without touching any backend code.

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Deployment Was Stupid Simple

Here’s what deployment looked like:

npm run build
git push origin main
# Done. Deployed automatically.

• Push to GitHub → auto-build via Cloudflare Pages
• Set up a custom domain and SSL in a few clicks with Cloudflare DNS
• Firebase takes care of auth, database, and analytics

No Docker. No EC2. No Nginx.

I spent zero time on deployment issues — and that was a game-changer.

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What I Learned

• You don’t always need a backend to build something valuable
• Firebase + Cloudflare is a dream combo for solo developers
• MVP validation becomes way faster without backend setup
• The costs are almost negligible (basically free at my scale)

Serverless isn’t just a buzzword — it genuinely boosts your speed and productivity when you’re building alone.

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Important Things to Watch Out For

While this setup is fantastic, there are some important caveats:

• Firebase Pricing: While generous, the free tier has limits. Heavy read/write operations or a large number of users can quickly exceed the free quota.
• Security Rules: Firestore data is accessible from the frontend, so configuring proper security rules is critical. Never leave your database open.
• Cold Starts in Cloud Functions: If you use Firebase Functions, keep in mind there might be a slight delay (cold start) when the function hasn't been used recently.
• Limited Server-Side Flexibility: Serverless functions are powerful but not a replacement for a full backend if your app logic becomes complex.

Bottom line: For MVPs and small-to-medium apps, it’s amazing. For complex products, plan for eventual backend migration.

 

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Would I Recommend This Approach?

Absolutely.

If you’re building:

• a personal project,
• a portfolio site,
• a client landing page,
• or even an MVP for a simple SaaS product,

→ Going backend-free with Firebase + Cloudflare is an incredibly smart move.

I was able to build 90% of what I needed without a backend.
The speed at which I could iterate and test ideas made it perfect for side projects.

 

 

 

 

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