Build a Social Network Portfolio Project

Create a working social network to showcase your engineering skills. Learn core concepts step-by-step with practical projects and clear goals.

Weekly Hours: 10
Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

Research & Planning

Get clear about what to build. Study common features, plan your project's basic structure, and set realistic goals.

1 weeks

Understand core social network features
Define the main project structure
Identify essential user actions
Sketch simple user flows

Feature research
Project planning
User flow mapping

Feature breakdown guides
User flow mapping articles

List at least five social network features
Sketch two main user flows

Backend Setup

Set up the core logic and data structure. Build user authentication and profiles, and create a basic database.

2 weeks

Set up database and server
Create user registration and login
Design user profile data model

Server development basics
Database design
User authentication logic

Database schema examples
Authentication tutorials

Application runs with registration and login
User data stored in your database

Frontend & User Interface

Design and build web pages for users to register, log in, view profiles, and see posts. Connect your web pages to your backend.

2 weeks

Build sign-up and sign-in pages
Design feed and profile pages
Connect frontend with backend

Web page creation
Connecting to backend
Form handling

Form building guides
Frontend-backend connection tutorials

Working registration/login form
Profile and feed pages fetch real data

Core Features & Interaction

Develop core interactive features. Add posts, likes, and comments. Test data flow and error handling.

2 weeks

Enable users to post messages
Allow users to like and comment
Validate and debug actions

Basic interactive web features
Data handling
Debugging

CRUD operation samples
Testing and debugging tips

At least one working interactive feature (like, comment, or post)
Basic error handling in place

Polish, Document, and Share

Make your site look more polished. Write a simple project guide. Prepare to show your project online or in interviews.

1 weeks

Improve basic user interface
Write a project readme
Test main features

Simple UI improvement
Writing documentation
Preparing demos

Basic design walkthroughs
Readme writing samples

Project readme explains features and setup
Site ready for demos

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Research project requirements	A strong foundation helps everything run smoother.	List key features of major social networks, Sketch user flows for sign up and posting, Define your minimum feature list	Feature checklist, Two clear user flow diagrams
2	Set up backend base	A solid backend lets everything else work.	Start a basic server, Create a user database, Add simple registration logic	Running server, User registration endpoint
3	User login and profile data	Login and profiles are needed for secure user actions.	Add user login endpoint, Design profile data fields, Test login with sample users	Working login, User profiles viewable from database
4	Build initial frontend	UI lets users access features and test the backend.	Design simple login page, Link login to backend, Make a profile page	Login and profile web pages
5	Add posting and feed features	Posting is core to any social network.	Design post data model, Implement post creation, Show a list of posts on the feed page	Posting feature live on your site
6	Implement likes and comments	Interactive features increase user engagement.	Set up like data structure, Implement comment posting, Connect everything to your frontend	Likes and comments working in browser
7	Debug and test interactions	Testing ensures users will have fewer issues.	Test each feature for errors, Fix at least three bugs, Ask a friend to try your site	Bug-free main features, List of fixed issues
8	Polish, write documentation, and prepare demo	Presentation helps others understand your work.	Improve basic site design, Write a short project summary, Prepare a demo walkthrough	Project readme, Polished site ready to share