How to Choose a React Developer

JavaScript is one of the main building blocks of front‑end development. It adds interactivity that cannot be achieved with HTML and CSS alone, and it sits underneath much of the React work a developer will do day to day.

In JavaScript, React, or ReactJS is one of the most well‑adopted open‑source libraries used by front‑end developers to create user interfaces. ReactJS is incredibly useful when creating anything from a single page site right the way up to large, complex applications.

What is a React Developer?

A React developer specialises in building user interfaces with React. The exact role can range from implementing components within an established design system to owning accessibility, styling, state, testing and wider front‑end architecture.

Creativity, attention to detail and technical depth are not opposite ends of a reliable scale. The evidence to look for depends on the role: some React work is design‑heavy, some is architecture‑heavy, and many positions require both, alongside testing and collaboration.

What Skills Does a React Developer Need?

To become a successful React developer, there are a few skills that they will need:

1. HTML and CSS

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the web's markup language; it is not XML‑based, although XHTML applied XML syntax rules to HTML. It provides the document structure, whilst CSS controls its presentation.

With sufficient knowledge in working with semantic HTML tags and CSS selectors, implementing CSS resets, and understanding the different models and web responses, React development becomes easy.

As I mentioned above, you will often find React developers aren't quite as well‑versed in this particular area simply by want of focusing more on the technical side of React development.

2. JSX

React commonly uses JSX, a syntax extension for JavaScript that lets markup‑like expressions sit alongside component logic. Tooling transforms JSX into JavaScript calls; it is not compiled into HTML in the browser. React can also be used without JSX, although JSX is the normal choice for most projects.

3. JavaScript

Any React developer should understand six fundamental skills in JavaScript before calling themselves professionals. These include:

• Variables and scoping

  ‑ how and where you access data for your code when you need it. Variables allow you to hold data in memory locations, which you can later retrieve as the program runs.

• Array and objects

  ‑ a proper understanding of objects and arrays allow you to change functions and alter their values when need be.

• Functions and arrow functions

  ‑ React components may be functions or classes, and functions also appear throughout event handling, data transformation and application logic. A developer should understand function behaviour, closures and when arrow‑function semantics matter.

• DOM Manipulation and Event Handlers

  ‑ React normally declares event handlers through component props and updates the DOM through rendering. Direct DOM access is still sometimes required for focus, measurement or third‑party integration, usually through refs rather than attaching handlers to generated HTML manually.

Other JS skills include:

• Prototypal inheritance

• Object creation

• Classes

4. Git

I once wrote about how I liken Git to being a bit like a diary. What it does is allow the developer to keep clear and concise documentation of exactly what has been worked on, when, and by whom. This allows you to keep an eye on progress but also keep ownership of the code itself.

Git is virtually a required skill set in any web development specialism, so your React developer really should be able to use Git!

5. Node.js and Package Managers

Understanding how Node.js works, and how using package managers such as npm or yarn to add dependencies, is another crucial skill for any React developer.

Where Can You Find a React Developer?

Are you sourcing a React developer to join your team of front‑end developers? You can find them from different platforms, such as from...

• Conferences and hackathons;
• Job sites;
• LinkedIn;
• Online competitions;
• Social media and outsourcing.

If you are looking for a professional React developer, please feel free to reach out to me. I like to think I tread the line between creativity and technical prowess I described above very well! I have nearly two decades of experience in web development, having worked with the BBC, Cisco, John Lewis, and many other organisations. I am a freelancer that understands all aspects of website development, and will produce a project that suits your needs and meets (and hopefully exceeds) your customer's expectations.