What Is React.js?

React.js is one of the most highly used open-source JavaScript Libraries available. This popular framework enables teams to create beautiful custom eCommerce websites and web apps with minimal effort or coding.

According to research done by Stack Overflow in 2021, React.js became the most popular web framework overtaking jQuery, with 40.14% of professional developers preferring to use the framework. More than 10M live websites worldwide use React.js, according to BuiltWith. The React.js framework’s popularity can be attributed to its wide range of benefits and ease of use for everyone from raw beginners to seasoned developers. This widespread use also means that if you opt to get outside help working with React.js for your brand, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to finding an expert developer to work with.

Reasons to use react.js framework for eCommerce

Both business and IT teams can see great results from using a React.js framework to build their eCommerce website’s storefront. Notable benefits of using React.js for your eCommerce site include:

Speed: The component-based approach to React.js gives developers the ability to re-use code snippets across ecommerce apps or even multiple web applications. This accelerates the time-to-market for new touchpoints or features and makes it easier to change or debug existing ones.
Performance: Due to a virtual DOM, eCommerce sites or web applications developed using React.js benefit from a notable boost in performance compared to other frameworks such as Jquery. Because React.js will selectively update an area of the site that a user has engaged with using the Virtual DOM, it takes less loading power to do so. When applied to a single feature of your site, this difference might seem insignificant but when applied to multiple features, and especially across a dynamic complex eCommerce website, it can save your shoppers a lot of time. This boost in site performance means a fast and seamless shopping experience for your end users.
Developer Experience: React.js code is easier to maintain than many other frameworks due to its component-based nature, which saves a lot of time and effort in the long term. In addition, the available development tools boost developer productivity, allowing for increased development and testing efficiency.

The React.js network is also extensive. Not only do developers globally love React.js, but the technology is also backed by Facebook, so the available libraries of components are constantly growing, making it easy for developers to learn the framework and build everything from small, lightweight storefronts to large, complex eCommerce ecosystems.

What are the features of react.js eCommerce?

Componentization

React facilitates the creation of front-end website “Components,” or features responsible for UI functionality, such as buttons or data calls. These react “Components” are modular pieces of code that can be reused across multiple eCommerce apps or websites and in multiple locations.

This component-based approach decreases development time needed and creates a consistent customer experience, as it eliminates the need for developers to re-create code from scratch. This unique componentization approach also makes websites easily scalable and faster to debug, leading to reduced maintenance and admin time.

Virtual Document Object Model (DOM)

For interactive websites that expect a lot of user engagement, the Virtual DOM is critical. Without React.js, a website may rely on HTML to update the DOM.  When a UI component is clicked that requires the page to refresh, it will require the entire DOM to reload.

With React.js, the library will construct a representation of the page in virtual memory and utilize a reconciliation algorithm to ensure that the minimum number of operations is conducted to render the page updates. This enables the creation of web applications with superior performance.

Developer Tools

React provides developer tools that let developers inspect the React component tree in Chrome and Firefox. It also provides ample developer warnings, enabling your team to easily spot and fix mistakes.

SDK optimized for React.js eCommerce

With our SDK and a rich feature set at your fingertips, you can power your inventory, carts, categorization, search, and more. Create and bring to life beautiful React eCommerce experiences.

Go To SDK

Jumpstart your project with the react demo store

Our lightweight React.js eCommerce demo store enables you to get started with Elastic Path, React, and Redux in minutes, giving you the freedom to create a custom combination of tools in no time.

See Examples