If you're looking to build a new web or mobile app, you're probably exploring different options for how to build it. There are tons of JavaScript frameworks and libraries out there, so deciding on the right technology can be tricky.
But wait, there is one framework that stands out among all the other JavaScript frameworks.
And that's React.js.
Take a look at the below StackOverflow statistics:
React.js dominates as the most popular framework, with more questions asked about it in recent years than any other JavaScript framework. This massive community signifies that React has become the go-to tool for developers.
In this post, we're going to focus on React.js and look at why hiring developers with React skills is hands-down the most cost-effective way to build your next app.
Whether you're a startup trying to build an MVP on a tight budget or an enterprise company launching a new product, hiring React experts can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
The Benefits of React.js
Before we look specifically at hiring, let's quickly cover why React itself is such a great choice for app development.
React was created internally by Facebook and then released as open source in 2013. Since then, it has exploded in popularity and become one of the most widely used libraries for building user interfaces.
Here are some of the top benefits of React.js that it offers:
Declarative Code is Easier to Understand
React uses a declarative paradigm to construct UIs rather than an imperative approach.
What does this mean in plain English?
Basically, with React you simply declare what you want each component to render, and React handles actually rendering it for you.
This makes React code much easier to read and understand compared to traditional imperative code, where you have to manually update the DOM. New developers can quickly scan a React app and grasp the major pieces.
Reusable Components
At the core of React are components - self-contained pieces of UI that can be composed together to form a complete app. The component model promotes reusability and modularity.
Once your team builds a component, like a button, modal or sidebar, that same component can be reused throughout the app. Components also make it easier for multiple developers to work together on discrete parts of the app without stepping on each other's toes.
Virtual DOM for Optimized Performance
Here's a key advantage of React - it uses a virtual DOM to optimize performance. With traditional frameworks, updating the DOM is slow because it involves manipulating the document directly.
React gets around this by using a virtual DOM - a JavaScript representation of the actual DOM. When the state changes, React calculates the minimal changes needed to update the virtual DOM. Only those changes are actually applied to the real DOM. This batched updating process makes apps feel faster and smoother.
Easy to Integrate with Other Libraries
React focuses solely on building the view layer of applications. This means it's easy to integrate React with other popular libraries and frameworks like Redux, React Router, and React Native.
This flexibility allows teams to choose the best third-party tools for state management, routing, form handling, and more. Your developers aren't locked into any single stack. And existing skills like Redux knowledge transfer nicely.
Okay, now that we've covered why React is a great choice for modern app development, let's look at why hiring developers who already know React is the most cost-effective approach.
Hiring React Developers Saves Time and Money
Hiring developers with professional React experience allows you to hit the ground running and avoid costly ramp-up for your team.
Here are some of the biggest reasons to choose React.js developers to save time and Money:
Large Talent Pool
As one of the most popular JavaScript libraries, there is a large and growing pool of React developers to hire from. You won't need to scour the country to find candidates with niche or emerging skills. There are React devs looking for work in most major metro areas.
Popular outsourcing companies like ThinkODC and job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and StackOverflow have no shortage of candidates listing React skills. This supply allows you to be selective and find developers that best match your needs.
Transferable Skills
Concepts like components, props, states, and hooks are transferable across different React-based frameworks and libraries.
For example, a developer well-versed in React for the web can quickly apply those same skills to build mobile apps with React Native. Or someone who used class components can quickly get up to speed on function components and hooks.
This means developers can jump between React projects and hit the ground running, rather than having to re-learn everything from scratch.
Future-Proof Investments
Investing in React developers means you're making a future-proof choice. React has continued to grow and evolve over the years, but the core concepts remain consistent.
Skills like creating reusable components, managing state with hooks, and optimizing performance translate directly to new versions. Developers skilled in React today will be able to improve and maintain your app for years to come.
Easier Testing and Maintenance
The component architecture and design principles of React apps naturally make them easier to test, debug, and maintain long-term.
Because components are highly modular with defined inputs and outputs, they can be unit-tested in isolation. And since rendered UIs are determined declaratively by component props, there are fewer side-effects to track down.
Finding and fixing bugs is also simpler. Bugs can be traced back to specific components versus tangled DOM manipulation logic. Apps built the "React way" tend to have fewer bugs, crash less often, and require less overhaul over time.
Finding the Right React Developers for Your Team
Okay, hopefully, you're convinced that React is a smart choice for your next app and that hiring dedicated developers with React under their belt is the way to go.
But not all React developers are created equal. Here are some tips on finding candidates that are a good culture and technical fit:
Prioritize Relevant Experience
Look for developers who have professional experience building apps with React.js similar to the one you're creating. For example, if you're building a B2C e-commerce iOS app, find candidates who've worked on React apps for shopping or retail.
Experience shipping past projects with real users always trumps coding bootcamp projects or tutorials. You want developers who've debugged performance issues, handled complex data, and optimized real-world apps.
Assess Knowledge Beyond React
It's important any React developers have a solid grasp of foundational web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. React is ultimately just a tool, not the end goal.
Probe candidates' understanding of web/app architecture and performance optimization. Do they know techniques like lazy loading? Caching? Tree shaking? Solid React devs know how to craft optimal user experiences.
Evaluate Communication and Collaboration Skills
React apps require tight coordination across functions - from product managers to visual designers to QA testers. Evaluate candidates' communication and collaboration skills.
Are they comfortable asking questions, explaining concepts, and contributing ideas? Do they listen and incorporate feedback? Even expert coders can be ineffective without balanced soft skills.
Consider Full-Stack Capabilities
While not strictly required, look for React developers with full-stack capabilities if suitable for your project. Full-stack devs can build out the complete frontend and backend of apps.
For smaller teams and projects, having end-to-end capabilities in one developer saves time and costs of coordinating across multiple engineers. But assess their experience to ensure they can deliver on both fronts.
Conclusion
React's declarative programming model, reusable component architecture, and efficient DOM reconciliation make it one of the best choices for crafting complex, high-performance user interfaces.
Hiring developers already skilled in React allows your team to hit the ground running rather than losing months ramping up on new technologies. And thanks to React's vast adoption, you have a large talent pool to choose from.
Developers versed in React bring transferable skills that translate across React projects and future versions of libraries. With React as a long-term solution, your app can evolve for years without the need for ground-up rewrites.
If you're looking to build a web application or mobile app - hire React.js developers and set your project up for cost-effective, long-term success. The growing community and ecosystem will empower your team to deliver an engaging, high-quality experience that users will love.
