Improving UX with Skeleton Screens in React

Introduction

In today's world, users expect websites and applications to load instantly. However, this is not always possible, especially when dealing with complex data fetching. To combat this, developers often implement skeleton screens to improve the perceived loading time and enhance the user experience. In this blog, we will explore how to implement skeleton screens in React using a simple and effective approach.

What are Skeleton Screens?

Skeleton screens are placeholder UI elements that mimic the layout and design of the actual content while it is being loaded. They provide a visual cue to the user that the content is on its way, preventing a blank screen and reducing frustration.

The skeleton screen is a visual representation of the future content, providing a visual cue that something is loading.

Implementing Skeleton Screens in React

There are several ways to implement skeleton screens in React. One common approach is using a library like React Skeleton Loader. However, for simplicity and to showcase the core concepts, we will implement a basic skeleton screen using plain React components.

Step 1: Creating a Skeleton Component

We start by creating a simple component that represents a placeholder for our content:

      
        {`
        import React from 'react';

        const Skeleton = () => (
          
        );

        export default Skeleton;
        `}

Step 2: Styling the Skeleton Component

We add some CSS to style the skeleton component:

      
        {`
        .skeleton {
          width: 100%;
          height: 200px;
          background-color: #f5f5f5;
          border-radius: 5px;
          margin-bottom: 1rem;
        }

        .skeleton-line {
          width: 80%;
          height: 10px;
          background-color: #ddd;
          margin: 10px auto;
          border-radius: 5px;
        }
        `}
      
    

Step 3: Using the Skeleton Component in a Component

Now, let's use the skeleton component in a component that fetches data:


        {`
        import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
        import Skeleton from './Skeleton';

        const MyComponent = () => {
          const [data, setData] = useState(null);

          useEffect(() => {
            // Fetch data from an API
            fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
              .then(response => response.json())
              .then(data => setData(data));
          }, []);

          return (
            
              {data ? (
                
                  {/* Render actual content using data */}
                  {data.title}
                  {data.description}
                
              ) : (
                
              )}
            
          );
        };

        export default MyComponent;
        `}

Conclusion

Skeleton screens are a simple yet effective way to improve the user experience by providing visual feedback during loading. By implementing them in React, we can enhance the perceived loading time and create a more engaging and enjoyable user experience. Remember to tailor the design and implementation of skeleton screens to your specific application and content to provide a seamless and visually appealing experience.

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