In this article, we will learn to build a front end of an e-commerce site with the assistance of React. The front end of an e-commerce site is that component which is visible to the shoppers. The interaction between a shopper and a website takes place in the front end solely. This article will also contain a react e-commerce project with source code. The code of the front end is also present on React e-commerce GitHub.
What Is React?
React is based on JavaScript. It is adaptable, declarative and efficient for creating new and intricate user interfaces. Interfaces for mobiles, websites as well as desktops can be established with React. It was launched in 2013 and in no time has contributed a lot to the development community.
Here is a detailed and simple react e-Commerce tutorial to make an immersive front end.
Things to Keep in Mind While Developing an Online Shopping Project Using ReactJS
A front end of an e-commerce site acts as a reflection of the quality of products you are selling. The entire brand value is based on a good UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience). It also helps to earn the trust of a shopper.
An e-commerce front end always requires frequent and minor updates, especially on sale days like Black Friday. Hence, the performance of the front end should be taken care of sensitively or it might break down the entire site. Eventually, it causes a huge loss to your business. Therefore, to improve the front end of an e-commercial business React must be used.
Things to Keep in Mind before Working with React
To construct the site, you need to install the latest version of Node in your system. Node helps developers develop the backend of the website, which will complement the frontend. Node comes along with a bunch of JavaScript. To check if the Node has been installed make use of the following command:
node -v >12.18.4
After this let’s generate a React project to create a front-end site. Like:
npx create-react-app e-commerce
On this site, the routing will be handled by React Router. The code for installing this feature is:
nmp install react-router-dom
A fake back end is also required to maintain authentication. For that, we will use and install json-server and json-server-auth. Subsequently, we need to install axos to make a fake back end. The code to install an axos is:
nmp install axios
To style and design the site Bulma CSS framework is required and must be installed.
Building Production e-Commerce with React-Redux
Initial Startup
The very first step is to add a stylesheet to the site. To get it we have to use the following code to import statements so that the style sheet will be applied to the entire site.
import "bulma/css/bulma.css";
Context Setup
A front end of an e-commerce site is a complex application. In a complex application, there can be the usage of multiple contexts that has their methods as well as data. Nevertheless, to keep the data simple we would avoid using multiple contexts. Instead, we will just make use of a single context.
To develop a context the following code is required:
cd src touch Context.js withContext.js
After this we need to add the following to
context.js: import React from " react"; const Context = React.createContext export default Context;
This code transfers the data to an empty object. After this, we need to create a wrapper to wrap the components of context data and methods. This means we can follow the same pattern throughout the entire code.
The pattern is:
import React from "react";
import with intact from "../withContext";
const Cart = props =>
{
//We can now access Context as props.context
};
export default with on text(Cart);
Skeleton of the App
A skeleton version of the component is required to check the basic functioning of the navigation. The various components like react shopping cart, login, products, etc. are ought to be placed inside a component directory.
mkdir components cd components touch AddProfucy.js Cart.js Login.js ProfucyList.js
Making of Login Feature
The most important feature of a front end is the log-in. The component also used the context data. This component must be wrapped so that it may give access to the data. The component renders with two inputs. So in compliance, the components redirect the login method.
Generating the Product View
The syntax to develop the product view has been attached here:
async componentDidMount() {
let user = localStorage.getItem("user");
const products = await axios.get('http://localhost:3001/products');
user = user ? JSON.parse(user) : null;
this.setState({ user, products: products.data });
}
Addition of
Inclusion of cart Management
After the inclusion of almost all components, it is important to add cart management. The code is:
async componentDidMount() {
let user = localStorage.getItem("user");
let cart = localStorage.getItem("cart");
const products = await axios.get('http://localhost:3001/products');
user = user ? JSON.parse(user) : null;
cart = cart? JSON.parse(cart) : {};
this.setSta te({ user, products: products.data, cart });
}
Conclusion
React is used to design and articulate the interface of a regular shopping cart. React, being an advanced level of JavaScript, is used to implement a basic authentic flow in data using all the codes and algorithms.
However, if any day anyone feels the need to improve the react JavaScript, they can do so by modifying the code and syntax. Thus, it cannot be said that react JavaScript is a finished product that requires no modification. A proper back end should be added with a database system to maintain and store data and check the authentication of the servers. This is a key feature for any e-commerce website, which constantly requires modification and updates. React also allows the admins to have the power to add and delete products.
Want to know more about React and its usage? Dive in to know more about the Education program of Edunoix.
Also Read: Top Ecommerce Trends You Must Follow In 2022
