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Development Tools

Torkil Vatne
Torkil Vatne
13,240 Points
Posted by Torkil Vatne
Torkil Vatne
13,240 Points

Building an eCommerce application (with React)

I want to start building eCommerce websites (preferably in React and Redux), but I don't know where to start. I plan to start off by building a simple shopping card application without user management.

I've found payment options like Switch Payments (https://switchpayments.com/), a storefront application on Github (https://github.com/yoonic/nicistore), react shopping cart examples (http://www.fullstack4u.com/react-js/10-react-js-shopping-carts-demos/) and different packages for design, but I'm not sure if they are the most practical tools for me to start off with.

Are there any recommendations on packages/tools/frameworks to use when developing this kind of application (regarding payment, authentication, mailing, database or dashboard for the owner)?

Some of what I've worked with before than might be relevant:

  • React
  • Redux
  • Bootstrap/Material UI
  • Firebase
  • MySQL
  • Express (not so much)

Sorry the long text, I really appreciate feedback!

Henning Bang Halvorsen
Henning Bang Halvorsen
16,239 Points
Henning Bang Halvorsen
Henning Bang Halvorsen
16,239 Points

This was an interresting post! I would also like to read an answer to this!

1 Answer

Kyle Case
Kyle Case
44,857 Points
Kyle Case
Kyle Case
44,857 Points

I'd recommend checking out Stripe (stripe.com) for managing payments. Firebase has apis to help with user management.

I personally do not have as much experience with Firebase. So if it were me, I'd use Ruby on Rails for the backend. There are several really easy to use gems for managing users, payments, etc. The Rails courses on Treehouse are a good way to get started. I'd also recommend the book Agile Web Development with Rails 5 (https://pragprog.com/book/rails5/agile-web-development-with-rails-5). Throughout that entire book you create a full-featured e-commerce application using the most current/advanced rails features.

I also would try to evaluate how much React is really needed for your e-commerce experience. For most e-commerce sites, the backend can end up being the bulk of the work. The only stateful parts are the cart, and maybe comments/ratings. You can manage all of this on the back end with Rails instead of using React also.

Torkil Vatne
Torkil Vatne
13,240 Points
Torkil Vatne
Torkil Vatne
13,240 Points

Thank you for the answer! I'll check out the courses on Treehouse and take a look at the book too.