7 Tips to Boost Up Your React Web App (and Win Over Humans)

3 min readDec 22, 2023

React.js, the JavaScript library behind some of the slickest web apps on the planet, is like a trusty spaceship engine: powerful, versatile, and capable of taking your creation to far-off galaxies (or at least the top of search results). But just like any engine, it needs a little tweaking to reach warp speed. Fear not, brave space captain! Here are 7 tips to boost your React app’s performance, usability, and, most importantly, its charm for those pesky human users:

1. Code Splitting for Smaller Bundles

Break down your application into smaller, manageable parts through code splitting. This technique allows you to load only the necessary code for the current view, reducing the initial bundle size. Use tools like React Lazy and Suspense to implement code splitting effortlessly.

// Example using React Lazy and Suspense
const MyComponent = React.lazy(() => import('./MyComponent'));

2. Optimize Component Rendering with Memoization

Utilize the React.memo higher-order component to memoize functional components, preventing unnecessary re-renders. This is especially beneficial for components that receive the same props but don't need to update

const MyMemoizedComponent = React.memo(MyComponent);

3. Efficient State Management with Redux

Consider implementing Redux for efficient state management, especially in larger applications with complex state logic. Redux provides a single source of truth, making it easier to debug and trace state changes.

// Example setup with Redux
import { createStore } from 'redux';
import { Provider } from 'react-redux';
import rootReducer from './reducers';

const store = createStore(rootReducer);

ReactDOM.render(
  <Provider store={store}>
    <App />
  </Provider>,
  document.getElementById('root')
);

4. Bundle Analysis with Webpack

Use Webpack Bundle Analyzer to analyze your bundle size and identify dependencies that contribute to larger file sizes. This tool helps you pinpoint areas for improvement and optimize your application’s performance.

npm install --save-dev webpack-bundle-analyze

// Webpack configuration
const BundleAnalyzerPlugin = require('webpack-bundle-analyzer').BundleAnalyzerPlugin;

module.exports = {
  // ...
  plugins: [
    new BundleAnalyzerPlugin()
  ]
};

5. Lazy Loading Images for Faster Loading

Improve your app’s loading speed by lazy-loading images. React’s react-lazyload library allows you to load images only when they enter the user's viewport, reducing the initial load time.

npm install react-lazyload

// Example using react-lazyload
import LazyLoad from 'react-lazyload';

const MyImageComponent = () => (
  <LazyLoad height={200} offset={100}>
    <img src="path/to/your/image.jpg" alt="Lazy Loaded Image" />
  </LazyLoad>
);

6. Implement Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Enhance the initial loading speed of your React app by implementing Server-Side Rendering. SSR allows the server to pre-render the initial HTML and send it to the client, improving the time to first paint.

npm install express react-dom react-scripts

// Example using Express for SSR
const express = require('express');
const React = require('react');
const ReactDOMServer = require('react-dom/server');
const App = require('./App');

const app = express();

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  const appHtml = ReactDOMServer.renderToString(<App />);
  res.send(`
    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html lang="en">
      <head>
        <meta charset="utf-8">
        <title>Your React App</title>
      </head>
      <body>
        <div id="root">${appHtml}</div>
        <script src="/bundle.js"></script>
      </body>
    </html>
  `);
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
});

7. Use PureComponent for Class Components

For class components, extend the PureComponent class to automatically implement shouldComponentUpdate with a shallow prop and state comparison. This prevents unnecessary renders when props or state haven't changed.

class MyComponent extends React.PureComponent {
  // ...
}

Optimizing your React web app is an ongoing process, and these tips serve as a starting point for improving performance. Regularly analyze your app’s performance, stay updated on best practices, and leverage the React ecosystem to build fast and responsive user interfaces. Happy coding!