Why We Build With React (And Why That Matters to You)

Why This Article Exists

Walk into any web development conversation and React will come up within five minutes. It's everywhere — Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Airbnb. The list goes on.

But here's the thing: most articles about React are written for developers, by developers. They throw around terms like "Virtual DOM" and "unidirectional data flow" without explaining why you, as a business owner, should care.

This article is different.

I'm writing this from our perspective as an agency that builds client websites every day. We'll explain what React actually is, why we use it, and — most importantly — what that choice means for your project.

No fluff. No jargon. Just straight talk about a tool we rely on.

What Is React? (In Plain English)

React is a JavaScript library created by Facebook to make building interactive user interfaces easier and faster.

It's not a complete framework (like some alternatives) — it's more focused. React handles one job really well: the visual layer of your website. Everything the user sees and interacts with.

Think of it like this: traditional websites reload entire pages when you click something. React updates just the part that changed. Click "Add to Cart"? Only the cart icon and count update. The rest of the page stays put.

That's why apps built with React feel fast and responsive. They behave more like desktop applications than traditional websites.

The Real Reason React Exists (And Why It Won)

Before React, building complex, interactive websites was painful.

Every time data changed — say, a user updated their profile picture — developers had to manually find every spot in the code where that picture appeared and update it. Multiply that across hundreds of features, and you've got a maintenance nightmare.

React solved this by introducing a simple idea: describe what the interface should look like, and React handles the updates automatically.

Instead of writing instructions like "when the user clicks this button, find element X, change its text, update the color of element Y...", you just say "when this data changes, here's what the interface should show."

React figures out the rest.

This approach — called declarative programming — is why React caught on so fast. It turned chaotic codebases into organized, predictable systems.

Why We Choose React for Client Projects

We've built websites with WordPress, vanilla JavaScript, Vue, and React. Here's why React wins for most projects:

1. It Scales Without Breaking

Small projects stay simple. But when a client comes back six months later saying "we need a booking system, a member portal, and integration with our CRM," React doesn't buckle under the weight.

The component-based structure keeps everything modular. Add features without untangling old code.

2. Fast Performance = Better User Experience

React's Virtual DOM (yeah, we're going there for a second) means the browser only re-renders what actually changed. That translates to snappy interactions and faster load times.

And search engines? They love fast sites. So do users. So do we.

3. A Massive Ecosystem

Need a calendar? There's a React component for that. Form validation? Covered. Authentication? Done.

We don't reinvent the wheel for every project. React's ecosystem lets us build faster without compromising quality.

4. It's Not Going Anywhere

Trends come and go in web development. But React has been dominant for nearly a decade, backed by Meta and used by millions of developers.

That matters when you're investing in a website. You don't want to build on a dying technology. React's longevity means:

• Easier to find developers if you need updates later
• More resources, tutorials, and community support
• Long-term stability for your project

How React Actually Works (The Parts That Matter to You)

Components: Building Blocks That Make Sense

Imagine your website as LEGO bricks. Each piece — a navigation bar, a contact form, a pricing card — is a self-contained component.

Why this matters to you:

• Changes are isolated. Update the footer without risking the header.
• Consistency across pages. Use the same button component everywhere.
• Faster development. Reuse components instead of rebuilding from scratch.

State: The Website's Memory

State is just the data that changes over time. User logged in? That's state. Cart has three items? State. Modal window open or closed? State.

React watches this data and automatically updates the interface when it changes. You don't see it happen — you just notice that the website feels responsive.

JSX: HTML That Lives in JavaScript

JSX looks like HTML but sits inside JavaScript code. That might sound weird, but it makes the code cleaner and easier to read.

For you, it means developers can spot bugs faster and make updates more confidently. Less debugging time = lower costs.

What React Means for Your Project

Faster Development Time

We build faster with React because we're not starting from zero. Reusable components, battle-tested libraries, and clear patterns speed things up.

Translation: You get your website sooner and pay less in development hours.

Easier to Maintain and Update

When you come back in six months asking for changes, we're not digging through spaghetti code. React's structure keeps everything organized.

Translation: Future updates cost less and take less time.

Better Performance Out of the Box

React's rendering approach means your site loads faster and feels snappier. That improves user experience and SEO rankings.

Translation: More visitors stay on your site and more people find you in search results.

Future-Proof Technology

React integrates with everything — CRMs, payment systems, marketing tools, APIs. As your business grows, your website can grow with it.

Translation: You're not locked into a dead-end platform. Your investment scales.

The Downsides (Because Nothing's Perfect)

Let's be honest: React isn't the right choice for every project.

Simple brochure sites with five static pages? React's overkill. A basic HTML site or WordPress will do the job faster and cheaper.

SEO-critical content sites benefit more from Next.js (which is built on React but adds server-side rendering). We use Next.js for most client projects anyway.

Small budgets with no growth plans? You might not need React's power. A template-based solution could save you money upfront.

We're not here to sell you on React if it's not the right fit. But for businesses that need performance, scalability, and room to grow, it's the best tool we've found.

Our Approach: React + Next.js

Here's a bonus bit of honesty: we rarely use React alone anymore.

We build most client projects with Next.js, which is built on top of React. It adds:

• Server-side rendering (better SEO)
• File-based routing (cleaner code structure)
• Automatic code splitting (faster load times)
• Built-in API routes (easier backend integration)

Think of it as React with extra features baked in. You get all the benefits of React plus better performance and SEO.

Final Thoughts

React isn't magic. It's just a tool. But it's a really good tool for building modern websites that need to do more than sit there looking pretty.

We choose React (and Next.js) because it helps us deliver:

• Fast, responsive websites
• Scalable systems that grow with your business
• Clean code that's easy to maintain
• Better ROI on your investment

If you're hiring a web agency and they're using React, that's a good sign. It means they care about building something sustainable, not just slapping together a quick solution.

And if you ever want to know why we made a technical choice on your project, just ask. We're happy to explain our decisions in plain English.

Questions About React or Your Next Project?

We're always happy to talk tech (or translate it into non-tech speak).

Email: business@salatags.com
Website: www.salatags.com