React Native is the Future of Mobile at Shopify

Dec 13, 2021
React Native is the Future of Mobile at Shopify

Back in 2020, Shopify publicly announced our adoption of React Native. This means, now all our mobile apps will be built with React Native Framework. By extension, this also meant a new learning opportunity for our team, in testing apps and guiding design and development teams to create accessible user experiences.

Shopify says they will continue investing in React Native, although this does not mean they will rewrite all of their apps with the new technology. It should also be noted that Shopify will keep using low-level native libraries and frameworks for their apps. They will consider the possibility of writing lower level components using native technologies when performance requires it.

React Native Accessibility API

Facebook has made sure app developers are able to create accessible and inclusive user experiences by means of the React Native Accessibility API. This was my go-to resource when it came to making any recommendations to the team.

This API includes a series of React methods and props to provide information like roles, names, and state to interactive elements. It also includes other items to increase general accessibility of an app while using assistive technology.

Let's understand certain advantages of why React Native can be future at shopify. Here are some points which will help us understand it in a better way-

1 Timesaving: The primary advantage of this system is that it is timesaving. Initially, it spares the developers from recompiling with each change, since the application reloads right away amid the improvement stage. An Android designer can comprehend the torment.

2 Easier: The framework empowers the making of a solitary code base that can be blended for iOS and Android. It enables the engineer to invest less energy in coding.

3 User Experience: A mobile application, imagined with this framework guarantees high caliber, phenomenal execution, and streamlined user experience.

4 One ecosystem: Besides that, an all-around prepared JavaScript engineer can develop a versatile application utilizing this framework without diving into the ecosystem and language specifics of each OS.

5 User Interface: The subsequent User Interface is exceedingly responsive and feels liquid on account of asynchronous JavaScript connections with the local condition.

6 Fast: This implies that the application will have faster loading times and smoother feel than the one built using a hybrid model.

React Native is a perfectly good solution for all consumer-facing apps as it offers just on-point performance, and it is (in most cases) easier and cheaper to build than two separate native apps with the same service or product. Most of the consumer-facing apps do not rely on complex animations and UIs which, again, makes React Native a great and reliable solution for the endeavour.

Shopify engineers are working hard to delve deep into the app development technology, React Native. Their iOS app, Shopify Ping, has already provided values to merchants by increasing the customer conversation. Presently, the team is working on the app to release the Android version.

Thus, Shopify has included React Native in its technology stack to build mobile apps. Now, you may also hire professionals to create a React Native mobile app for your business.