Freelancers using Base44Freelancers using Base44As a marketer and business owner, I know one thing: in 2026, if your business doesn't have both a website and at least one social platform, it feels a bit sus... 😒
That’s why for this challenge it took me less than a minute to choose my favorite local spot: Coffee Village, an eclectic, quirky coffee shop in Palmela that serves the most amazing cappuccinos and cheesecakes 🤤
But...despite their incredible charm and delicious treats, their online presence wasn't doing them justice - hence why I decided to give them the digital home they deserve ✨
🟥 BEFORE BASE44
They had no website whatsoever, and their custom cake orders were completely scattered across a landline phone, Facebook messages, and Instagram DMs. Managing this during holiday rushes like Christmas and Easter must've been CRAZY 😵💫
🟩 AFTER BASE44
I built a fully responsive, bilingual (PT/EN) website that both reflects their unique decor - including their signature wall stripes and dark wood tables - and speaks directly to the audience they're trying to attract!
You can see it for yourself 👉 https://coffeevillage.base44.app
As for that cake order situation...that's where the automation came in! I built a streamlined cake order system, so customers can submit their orders in one centralized place. The backend workflow automatically:
👉 Triggers an instant email confirmation to the customer.
👉 Sends a structured email summary directly to the owner.
I'm handing the site over to the owner tomorrow and can't wait to see their reaction!!!
Next up on my to-do list? Bringing my professional camera to the shop to shoot even better photos and videos for them, both of the space and the food & drinks!
Here's to helping local businesses glow! 🥂 OFFICIAL SUBMISSION — ECHOES OF TEMPLE LANE
For the Base44 x Contra #GiveItAGlow Challenge, I chose a real Dublin business that has been part of my life since 2018: Temple Lane Studios and the Irish Rock ’n’ Roll Museum Experience.
This was not a random business choice.
Temple Lane has been my place to rehearse, reset, disconnect from everything else, and play proper fat rock ’n’ roll with the band.
BEFORE
The museum already had a strong identity and an established website for presenting its history, exhibitions, tours and visitor information.
The opportunity was not to replace that foundation, but to explore an entirely new digital layer: one that could translate the atmosphere, memories and emotional character of the physical building into an experience people could enter.
AFTER
I built Echoes of Temple Lane — a live, publicly accessible Base44 experience designed as a cinematic digital exhibition.
Visitors move through atmospheric memory rooms, recovered photographs, archival records, rehearsal spaces, personal performance moments and historical fragments.
The journey includes the Room of Celebration, the Room of Punk, interactive archive elements and a final narrative sequence called The Last Echo.
This is not a static redesign.
It is an experience built around motion, sound, discovery and memory.
AUTOMATION
Visitors can submit their own Temple Lane memory through the exhibition.
The memory_scribe AI agent helps shape each contribution into a guestbook-ready draft. The caretaker agent supports the exhibition experience, while the Caretaker Memory Digest workflow runs every three hours, gathers new visitor memories, prepares a moderated report and emails the guestbook digest for review.
The workflow has been tested end-to-end with a real submission, and the attached dashboard proof shows the completed automation run.
BUSINESS VALUE
The system creates the foundation for a moderated, community-generated archive while reducing the manual work required to collect, organize and review visitor stories.
The walkthrough video focuses on the immersive visitor experience. The attached screenshots document the complete transformation:
— the original online presence
— the finished Base44 experience
— the AI agents
— the scheduled automation
— the successful workflow run
— my genuine connection to Temple Lane Studios since 2018
Live experience:
https://temple-lane-studios.base44.app
Original website:
https://irishrocknrollmuseum.com/
(https://irishrocknrollmuseum.com/)LinkedIn post:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bobvasic_giveitaglow-giveitaglow-base44-ugcPost-7482178973616119808-rd78
(https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bobvasic_giveitaglow-giveitaglow-base44-ugcPost-7482178973616119808-rd78/?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAAWbOcYBym9kgZZll4IyyFfT9tR-b1MMg5U)X post:
https://x.com/RaptorLabsX/status/2076413890817400843?s=20
Built independently with @Base44 for the #GiveItAGlow Challenge.
From a traditional museum website to a living digital archive.
#Base44 #Contra #TempleLane #IrishRockNRollMuseum #Dublin #DigitalMuseum #InteractiveDesign #Automation #AI #BuildInPublic 11k followers, beautiful pastries, and 4.5 hours wasted in DMs daily. Here is how I fixed a local bakery's operations in 3 hours. 🥐✨
For the #GiveItAGlow challenge, I wanted to find a business where design could solve a real operational bottleneck. I chose "Holidays treat" — a visually stunning local bakery in Thailand.
The Problem:
Visually, their brand is flawless. Digitally, it was a nightmare. Every single custom cake order, tart reservation, and FAQ was handled manually through Instagram DMs. The owner was losing over 4.5 hours a day just typing out the same allergen information and stock updates.
The Process (How it was built):
Using Base44, I went from a blank canvas to a fully functioning digital ecosystem in exactly 3 hours. Here is the exact breakdown of the build:
Phase 1: The Figma Benchmark & Asset Generation
Every high-end product starts with strict visual discipline. Before touching the builder, I opened Figma to define the rules of "quiet luxury" for this brand. I established a rigorous grid, editorial typography, and terracotta accents. I used Midjourney to generate high-end asset concepts to set the perfect mood. I didn't design every screen—I designed one flawless Root Index to serve as my absolute source of truth.
Phase 2: Architectural Foundation
Inside Base44, I prioritized architecture over aesthetics. My initial prompts focused purely on database generation and routing. Within minutes, the AI spun up the core infrastructure: a Products database, an Orders table, and dynamic routing for the entire B2C catalog.
Phase 3: The Design Translation
This is where I am usually skeptical of builders, but Base44 delivered. I fed my Figma benchmark into the Base44 agent and instructed it to overwrite the global design system. It adopted my strict visual parameters and replicated them across the entire app with 100% accuracy. When we hit minor component bugs, like routing issues in the Global Header, I used precise system directives to re-bind the events without touching the code.
Phase 4: Automation Depth & State Management
A beautiful site means nothing if the business operations are still manual.
The Backend:
I built a B2B Kitchen Dashboard with a live Kanban board tied directly to the front-end checkout.
The CMS:
I converted static footer galleries into dynamic databases so the owners can update their digital storefront seamlessly.
The Superagent:
I integrated a 24/7 AI Superagent and wired it directly to the live inventory database. It now handles all FAQs, consults on bespoke cakes, and routes users to checkout. To ensure a seamless UX, I prompted the system to utilize a Global Session State, ensuring cart persistence across all page navigations.
The Verdict on Base44:
As a UI/UX Designer who is fiercely protective of visual layouts, my stack has strictly been Figma and Framer. But building this project completely shifted my perspective. Base44 is the first platform I’ve used that handles deep backend logic and AI automations without sacrificing an inch of front-end aesthetic control. It is officially part of my permanent freelance toolkit.
The Handoff:
I handed the fully live ecosystem over to the bakery—no setup fees, no friction. Just real utility.
Watch the full Before/After transformation and my process breakdown
Demo: https:// (https://holiday-treat-studio.base44.app)holiday-treat-studio.base44.app (http://holiday-treat-studio.base44.app)
Figma (all step): https://www.figma.com/design/8uKK1dv5q5jX5O3pSFkSxQ/Challenge-base44?node-id=0-1&t=BXoMyOdu87ld3IyX-1
Before in comment. Base44 you BEST!!! Realy. Another project completed!
Designed and developed a bespoke Wix Studio website for a luxury kitchen restoration company, focused on showcasing craftsmanship, premium finishes, and stunning kitchen transformations. The project included custom branding implementation, UX design, responsive layouts, before-and-after project galleries, service pages, SEO-friendly structure, and a streamlined enquiry system to help convert visitors into clients.
The goal was to create a refined online presence that reflects the quality, attention to detail, and expertise behind every kitchen restoration project. A women led animal rescue and shelter in Silchar runs 24/7 saving street dogs and cats 🐾
Their online presence? A Google Maps pin and a sloppy website full of stock elephant photos.
For the #base44giveitaglowchallenge I gave them the glow-up they actually deserved.
BEFORE:
1. No way to see which animals need homes
2. Adoption inquiries buried in DMs and missed calls
3. Rescue reports meant one phone number that rings out mid-rescue
4. A dated site that told none of their story
5. And many more
AFTER:
1. A premium editorial website with a live animal database; adopted animals hide themselves automatically
2. Bella, an AI agent on both the site and WhatsApp, handling everything: adoption questions, adopter screening, meet-and-greet bookings, rescue reports
3. An emergency rescue flow: anyone can file a report in under 60 seconds, the founder is alerted instantly, and a live rescue board triages it
4. Branded email notifications with one-tap Google Calendar scheduling that auto-invites the adopter
5. A full admin dashboard: drag an application forward, and the adopter gets emailed automatically
6. And that's not even all of it
The shelter now takes bookings, answers questions, and handles emergencies at 3am - literally in its sleep.
The founder's hours went from answering "is Bruno still available?" back to actually saving and caring for the animals.
Watch it all in action (4 videos attached):
1. The full transformation in under 5 minutes - old site to new build, AI agents, automations, everything
2. The UI, up close - because this design deserves its own spotlight
3. Inside the admin - a narrated walkthrough of how the automations run the shelter
4. A live conversation with Bella
See it yourself:
The real business: Google Map
(https://maps.app.goo.gl/v4Tk7yab5zyuF5HG8)Before: Old Website (https://free-nature-web.preview.emergentagent.com/)
After: New Base44 Website
(https://wild-and-free.base44.app/)X Post: Redirect (https://x.com/iam_roysubhra/status/2076392949345325404?s=20)
Every life deserves to be Wild and Free. This build makes sure the humans saving them get their hours back 🐶 Social media was great for discovery.
It just wasn't built to run a studio.
When @Base44 × @Contra launched the Give It A Glow Challenge, I built Riley Taylor Studio OS to solve that problem.
🌐 https://rileytaylor.tattoo
The website is more than a portfolio. It becomes the studio's digital front desk.
Clients can discover the artists, submit structured consultations, upload references, track their requests, receive automated confirmations and reminders, access aftercare, and get instant help from the AI Studio Concierge.
For the artists, every consultation arrives organized in one place. AI summarizes requests, automations handle repetitive tasks, and the entire booking workflow becomes faster and easier to manage.
The goal was never to replace the artists—it was to give them more time to create.
The walkthrough video documents the complete transformation, showing the before, the after, and the automations that turn scattered social media conversations into one connected client journey. Blue Wave Charters & Tours — Give It a Glow
For this challenge, I chose Blue Wave Charters & Tours, a real private boat charter company based in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
They already offer a premium experience: private trips aboard an Axopar 37, coastal tours, snorkeling stops, onboard dining, and excursions to Barbuda.
But their existing website does not fully reflect the quality of the service, and the booking process still depends heavily on email, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages.
I wanted to turn that into something easier for both the guest and the business owner.
- What I built
I created a live, mobile-responsive charter website and booking app in Base44.
- The new experience lets visitors:
Explore four charter options Compare routes and itineraries View animated trip paths Explore the Axopar 37 Choose dining and drink preferences Select a preferred date Add group size, occasion, activities, and special requests Complete a guided multi-step charter request Ask questions through an AI assistant
The goal was to make the experience feel like a premium digital concierge, not a standard contact form.
Instead of browsing through long sections and then sending a vague message, guests can now plan the full shape of their day before submitting an inquiry.
- The automation:
The main automation starts when a guest submits a charter request. The system automatically: Saves the request in a private Charter Desk dashboard Generates a unique reference number Creates an AI quick-glance summary for the owner Produces a suggested reply for email or WhatsApp Sends the guest a branded confirmation email Sends the owner a structured notification Organizes the inquiry by status
The owner receives the guest’s preferred charter, date, group size, dining choices, activities, occasion, and contact details in one place.
That reduces the usual back-and-forth and makes each inquiry much easier to review and respond to.
- Why this matters:
This is more than a visual redesign. The new product helps Blue Wave: Present the business at the level of the experience they sell Capture more complete and qualified inquiries Respond faster Keep leads organized Reduce repetitive customer questions Move guests from interest to booking request more easily
For me, the challenge was to build something that looked strong enough for a luxury charter company while also solving a real operational problem behind the scenes.
Original website: https://bluewavechartersandtours.com
New live product, built with Base44: https://orange-blue-wave-voyage.base44.app
#GiveItAGlow @Base44 (https://contra.com/company/base44) @Contra HQ (https://contra.com/contra) base44giveitaglowchallenge (/community/topic/base44giveitaglowchallenge) Here is my Submission for the Base44 Give it a glow challenge.. Soso's Kitchen - Gave It A Glow 🍽️
Soso's Kitchen has been one of my favorite local Afro-Caribbean kitchens for years. The food was already incredible, but every order and catering inquiry still happened through Instagram DMs.
I wanted to change that.
Using Base44, I built a complete digital experience that gives the business a proper online home while keeping the ordering process simple for customers.
The build includes online ordering with a deposit checkout, automated order confirmations, a dedicated catering booking system, an AI concierge that answers customer questions, and my favorite feature...Cook With Soso, an AI recipe assistant that creates Afro-Caribbean recipes from ingredients you already have at home.
For me, this project wasn't just about building a website. It was about helping a real local business spend less time managing messages and more time focusing on what they do best.
Before: Every order lived in a DM.
After: A mobile-first ordering experience with automation, AI, and a workflow that scales with the business.
This project reminded me that some of the best AI projects aren't the biggest ones, they're the ones that solve real problems for real people.
Live project site: https://sosos-kitchen.base44.app Crystal Garden Terrariums — Brand & Website Redesign
Before this project, Crystal Garden Terrariums existed only on Instagram. No website, no owned digital presence — just a beautiful product line with nowhere permanent to live online. Link to project: https://crystalgardensterrarium.base44.app/
The ask: give this local plant + décor shop a real home on the web that matched the warmth and craft of their products (terrariums, succulents, hanging plants, statues, pots, and figurines).
My process:
Discovery — studied their existing Instagram aesthetic and product photography to understand their visual voice
Brand refresh — designed a new logo and defined a custom color palette (soft greens, sky blue, warm neutrals) to reflect their organic, handmade feel
Build — designed and built the full site in Base44, structuring it around their product categories, an About section telling their story for the first time, and a Care Guide to build trust with customers
Launch-ready — mobile-responsive, Instagram-integrated, and built to grow with them
The result: a small business that now owns its digital presence — not just borrows space on a platform it doesn't control.
This one's a favorite because it's exactly the kind of impact I want to keep making: helping local businesses look and feel as good online as they do in person. 🌿
