Why Reactjs For SaaS is The Next Big Thing in 2021

The SaaS (Software as a Service) has been replacing the traditional software licensing model for many businesses. No installations or one-time hefty pricing models. Just pay a monthly fee, download the cloud-based software and you are all set! This popularity of the SaaS model is at par with the most popular web development library - Reactjs. Many companies like Netflix and Dropbox have leveraged the library to boost the performance of their apps. Here’s why Reactjs for SaaS is the next big in 2021!

What is Reactjs?

Built by Jordan Walke, a software engineer at Facebook, ReactJS is a popular JavaScript library widely used for web development. From startups to some of the biggest brands are using the library to build next-generation web and mobile apps.

In 2019, Reactjs was the number one web development framework. However, in 2020, it came to a close second position in 2020 according to the StackOverflow survey.

Reactjs is popular amongst the developers because it lets them create engaging web apps with minimal coding.

Top Reactjs Features For Faster Web Application Development

Developers across the world love Reactjs for how it simplest the web development process. Here are the four basic features of Reacjs for faster app development:

1. JSX Syntax

Reactjs is a platform that believes in simplicity and so it uses JSX for templates. A major benefit of JSX is that it applies HTML tag syntax to deliver the subcomponents. These subcomponents are then moved into JavaScript for a holistic React framework.

2. One-way data binding

Reactjs uses single way data flow. This means a chunk of values is transported to the component's renderer in the form of HTML tags properties.

Reactjs does not allow components to update or change any property directly. Nevertheless, it does help in the modification or up-gradation of properties by delivering a callback.

3. Component-based architecture

The UI of Reactjs web apps includes multiple components with each component having its own specific set of logic. The benefit of using Reactjs for SaaS is that it allows Reactjs developers to pass the data throughout the application without affecting the DOM. It’s possible because the logic is written in JavaScript instead of templates.

4. React Native

Reactjs allows developers access to native libraries. Developers mainly use these libraries to build a mobile app framework using JavaScript. The similarities between React Native and Reactjs ensure that the transition from web to mobile is a smooth one.

Thus, Reactjs proves to be beneficial for SaaS applications in this mobile app dominated world. Building an MVP using React Native is great for SaaS companies to validate their app ideas.

Why Reactjs For SaaS Applications is A Great Choice

The Reactjs features I mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. I have listed the major reasons why using Reactjs for SaaS is a good idea below:

1. Code reusability in React makes SaaS application development faster

A major hurdle developers face is that of writing the code from scratch every time they start a new project. Reactjs has a feature called code reusability which helps Reactjs developers overcome this hassle.

The beauty of Reactjs lies in its components, which are like small building blocks. When you hire Reactjs developers, they can mix and match these blocks to build a complex yet efficient application for your business in a short period.

Every component has its own independent logic and is responsible for a separate set of actions. Moreover, these components in Reactjs are reusable. The code reusability function avoids the "domino effect" in which codes from different sections affect each other.

As a result, SaaS application development is much easier using the Reactjs framework. Additionally, Reactjs in SaaS also makes app maintenance easier and less expensive.

2. Faster rendering in React leads to better performance in SaaS applications

For SaaS apps, it is vital to carry out multiple functions simultaneously without much lag time. Time-saving re-rendering is one approach that helps to reduce the lag time and improving the SaaS user experience.

The faster rendering feature of ReactJs acts as a nitro boost for Reactjs developers. How is it able to facilitate the boost?

Reactjs uses Virtual DOM (Document Object Model) which is an updated version of the original Real DOM.

Using the virtual DOM, it is possible to logically track the components that require re-rendering according to the user's interaction. By deciding which components need re-rendering, the system can allocate the resources efficiently, leading to a much-reduced lag time.

Virtual DOM in React also helps in boosting the performance and maintainability of SaaS applications. That’s because Reactjs targets only the components which require re-rendering on the client-side.

3. Reactjs in SaaS apps makes them more SEO friendly

Being SEO friendly is one of the major requirements for a successful SaaS product. Rankings on Google and other search engines have the potential to make or break your saas app and you can ignore building an SEO friendly SaaS at your own peril.

The loading speed of the websites has an overbearing effect on their SEO rankings. It’s natural, no user likes to wait too long. This is where Reactjs provides an advantage.

Reactjs developers can easily build single-page applications using React Router and other Reactjs tools. These single-page applications are buttery smooth and lightning-fast to load, helping the website in improving the user experience by leaps and bounds.

Reactjs is able to provide such performance because it uses distinct components. These components allow the site to function in a better way without doing round trips to fetch HTML data, allowing instant response between the tabs.

The SaaS apps built using Reactjs are already loaded in the background so that when the user tries to access them online, the webpages are visible up to a certain degree.

Once you have optimized the loading speed, then you can divert your attention to other SEO features like meta tags, headers, and titles.

4. Reactjs in SaaS apps eases the transition from web to mobile

According to the World Advertising Research Center, around 72% of users will access the internet only via smartphones. Even today, for a majority of internet users, the first interaction with a brand is on the smartphone.

Having a mobile app is an absolute necessity now, more so for SaaS applications. React Native facilitates a smooth transition from single page web applications to mobile apps.

This transition is possible because like its cousin Reactjs, the React Native platform also uses the JSX syntax. As the foundations of both React Native and Reactjs are the same, the developers can easily implement the mobile-optimized JS components in the native version and continue to build on them.

Thus, Reactjs has an edge over its competitors wherein developers require complex knowledge of different syntax to make the transition.

Moreover, using Reactjs for SaaS app development can prove to be cost-effective. Because working with Reactjs is simpler, you don’t have to pay Reactjs developers as much as the developers specializing in more complex languages.

We are a team of expert developers, testers and business consultants who strive to deliver nothing but the best. Planning to build a completely secure and efficient React app? 'Hire React Developers'.

Popular SaaS Applications Built With Reactjs

1. Reactjs in Netflix app

“ReactJS has exceeded our requirements and enabled us to build a tremendous foundation on which to innovate the Netflix experience.”  Jordanna Kwok, Engineering Leader, Netflix

For SaaS apps like Netflix that need to render high definition videos without lag, Reactjs proves to be a boon. Netflix is the second-highest bandwidth user worldwide. Such is the amount of data that Netflix has to process regularly without a glitch.

Reactjs helps Netflix in achieving this mammoth feat due to its fast rendering feature. Netflix management is so impressed with Reactjs that their hiring policy is also skewed towards hiring talented Reactjs developers as opposed to hiring developers from other domains.

Now you know why your Netflix is so fast!

2. Reactjs in Dropbox app

Improved reliability, faster rendering, much better SEO capabilities were some of the primary reasons why the pioneer in drive saving systems, Dropbox switched to Reactjs sometime ago.

Dropbox is a SaaS app that stores high-quality videos, photos, and other files of millions of users worldwide. Its USP is that the users can access their data immediately from any device.

Reactjs’ fast performance and data efficiency fulfill this need efficiently. This is the reason that the file-sharing system that boasts of more than 600 million users and is handling 1.2 billion uploads on a daily basis chose to work with Reactjs.

Thanks to the features like code components, the tech team at Dropbox can now increase the efficiency of their development process phenomenally.

3. Reactjs in Asana

Asana is one of the most powerful and popular team management software out there. The SaaS app allows various team members in taking notes, assigning tasks, respecting deadlines, and so on.

One of the most important features of react JS is its ability to allow developers in building a mobile app. It can easily scale down web apps to mobile apps. Thus, Reactjs in Asana makes team management possible on smartphones and other handheld devices. Users of Asana are able to open tasks and keep track of their ongoing campaigns via the mobile app.

Considering how well Asana has leveraged the library, Reactjs for SaaS apps meant for project management is definitely a good choice.

4. Reactjs in Milanote

Milanote is a brilliant tool for artists and other creative personnel to organize their projects into visually attractive boards. It is an effective tool for freelancers working in design as well as marketing spaces. It allows them to recreate the feeling of working on a wall in a creative studio by using tactile and visual feedback.

Milanote has a lot of built-in templates which help the users in building a wide variety of different projects easily.

The fast re-rendering feature of Reactjs allows the artists to upload high definition images and access them faster. The artists can even share their work with their clients or other artists to get valuable feedback.

The Bottom Line

Some of the most important requisites for a SaaS application are a sleek UI and faster performance. Reactjs is a library that can easily facilitate these and many more qualities in SaaS applications. Reactjs for SaaS is soon going to be a major trend in 2021, although, big brands like Netflix and Dropbox have already vouched for it.

Third Rock Techkno is a leading Reactjs development company in India and USA that specializes in building high performing SaaS applications. Our business consultants help our clients not just with app development but also with industry expertise to realize their business goals.

Krunal Shah

Krunal Shah is the CTO and Co-founder at Third Rock Techkno. With extensive experience gained over a decade, Krunal helps his clients build software solutions that stand out in the industry and are lighter on the pocket.

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