React.js for Beginners: Building Interactive Web Applications

Are you curious to build your own interactive web application? This is the perfect article for you to start with. This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through building interactive web apps step by step. 

And if you’re new to React and want to learn how it works, then this guide is best for you. 

Steps to Create a Web App with React.js (For Beginners)

Here you can learn how to create a web application with React even if you are a non-techie. So, you just need strong willpower to start and finish your own React.js-based web application.

Step 1. Understand The Basic

React is an open-source JavaScript library. This helps you in building user interfaces for mobile and web apps. It will help you in breaking down interfaces into small components that you can use again and again. Many people prefer to use React.js development services instead of DIY development, so they can use React’s full features. 

To understand better, you can imagine building a web app as you’re building a house. Here: 

• HTML is the brick for creating structure.
• CSS is the paint and decorations to style your web application. 
• JavaScript is the electricity to make things work.

Now, React.js is like hiring an architect to construct residences that are faster, cleaner, and can be used again. You don’t have to start over; you can merely utilize blocks again (called components).

Step 2. Install the Tools

Before you start, you need the necessary tools to manage a React project. 

• Node.js & npm (Node Package Manager): This is like your “tool shed.”  It helps you run and take care of React projects. Download from nodejs.org and install.
• Code Editor (like VS Code): This is where you draw (code) your web app. Download from code.visualstudio.com.

Step 3. Create a New React Project

You don’t have to start from scratch with React because it comes with a beginning kit. With React 18+, you can easily create a foundation for your web app. In this step, open your terminal. It’s a black screen where you write instructions.

npx create-react-app my-first-app

This command:

• This command makes a folder called “my-first-app.”
• Get everything ready for you to start coding.

Tip: If you want something faster, you can utilize Vite. But for now, beginners may continue with create-react-app.

Step 4. Run Your App (See It Come Alive)

Open the folder for your project:

cd my-first-app

Start your app:

npm start

Your web browser will go to Localhost:3000. Thus, your first React project is running!

Step 5. Understand Components

The React components are small pieces that you can assemble to create a huge app. It’s like a LEGO piece that you connect to building toys. To get handy with this, you can create a small project. So, begin with make a new file called Hello.js and write: 

function Hello() {

  return <h1>Hello, World! 👋</h1>;

}

export default Hello;

Then use app.js and write this inside it;

import Hello from “./Hello”;

function App() {

  return (

    <div>

      <Hello />

    </div>

  );

}

export default App;

Your app now says “Hello, World! 👋“

If you want to get customized components, you can contact a professional custom React JS development company. They will build highly performing custom React components for you. 

Step 6. Learn About Your App’s Memory

Apps need memory space. For instance, a counter that goes up when you click a button.

In App.js:

import { useState } from “react”;

function App() {

  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

  return (

    <div>

      <h2>You clicked {count} times</h2>

      <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Click Me</button>

    </div>

  );

}

export default App;

Now, the number changes with every click because of React’s state.

Step 7. Style Your App To Make It Pretty

Open App.css and add styles like this:

button {

  background: purple;

  color: white;

  padding: 10px;

  border-radius: 8px;

}

Now your button appears cooler.

Step 8. Connect to Real Data APIs

A lot of apps need data, including weather apps. This is how to get data in React:

import { useEffect, useState } from “react”;

function App() {

  const [joke, setJoke] = useState(“”);

  useEffect(() => {

    fetch(“https://api.chucknorris.io/jokes/random”)

      .then((res) => res.json())

      .then((data) => setJoke(data.value));

  }, []);

  return <p>{joke}</p>;

}

export default App;

Boom! Your app can now recite jokes from an API!

Step 9. Build & Deploy To Show It to the World

When your app is ready:

npm run build

This makes an optimized version of your app.

Step 10. Keep Looking Around For Level Up

React is only the beginning. Once you’re comfortable with the following tools: 

• React Router looks into React Router for moving between pages.
• Redux / Context API that used to handle large amounts of data in apps.
• Next.js is for complex React apps that are good for SEO.