Blog

Latest posts

New pieces by Ali Hamza as they go live. Topics shift: freelancing, side projects, AI tools, and whatever is useful that week.

Laptop showing code in a modern developer workspace

Next.js

How I Deploy Next.js to Vercel Without Breaking Production

The checklist I run before every Next.js deploy on Vercel: env vars, build checks, SEO metadata, and the mistakes that usually bite freelancers.

2 min read2026-09-16

Developer working at a desk with multiple screens

Freelance

How I Structure Kickoff Calls to Kill Scope Ambiguity Before Coding

Most freelance rework happens because we assume the client knows what they want. I use a specific checklist to force clarity on data models and edge cases before writing a single line of code.

5 min read2026-11-09

Freelance

Why your MVP estimate is wrong: how I scope freelance projects to avoid rework

I lost a week on a recent SaaS project because I built exactly what the client described in the first email. Here is how I now scope MVPs by defining non-goals, mapping the happy path, and setting clear change-request protocols to protect the timeline and the relationship.

5 min read2026-11-08

Freelance

How I Stop Scope Creep Before the First Commit

Most freelance projects fail because the definition of done is vague. Here is the exact checklist I use to lock down MVP scope, set hard boundaries, and keep clients happy without burning out.

6 min read2026-10-31

Professionals reviewing documents at a meeting table

Engineering

How I Optimized SEO for a Next.js Portfolio Site Without Breaking Build Performance

I walked through the real challenges I faced when I tried to make my Next.js portfolio rank higher in search engines, and how I solved each one without adding load to the build.

5 min read2026-10-29

Team collaborating around a laptop in a bright office

Freelance

How I stopped scope creep before the first line of code

Scope creep usually starts in the kickoff call, not in the sprint. Here is the exact checklist I use to lock down MVP boundaries before writing any code.

6 min read2026-10-24

Freelance

Why your MVP scope is too big: how I cut feature creep before kickoff

Most freelance projects fail because the scope is defined by wishful thinking. I use a strict 'core loop' definition and a visible change request process to keep MVPs shippable.

6 min read2026-10-21

Engineering

How I structure a Next.js portfolio that passes real client checks

A practical layout for a developer portfolio: case studies with constraints, honest screenshots, clear contact paths, and pages that help buyers decide without fluff.

7 min read2026-10-19

Freelance

Scope before code: how I kick off freelance MVPs

The kickoff ritual I use before writing client code: discovery, written scope, three-band estimate, deposit, and a change-request path so quick extras do not erase the plan.

6 min read2026-10-19

Need a full-stack developer for your next build?

I ship production Next.js, MERN, and AWS serverless work from MVP to polish. Prefer a short call over a long thread.

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