React.js is a well-known JavaScript library for building user interfaces. At the same time, WordPress is a widely-used content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites worldwide. While both technologies are robust, combining them can provide even more benefits.

This article will explore integrating React.js with WordPress, in which react is frontend and wordpress is the backend. We will look at the advantages of using React.js with WordPress, explain how to use the WordPress REST API with React.js, and provide a step-by-step guide on creating a demo form using React.js and WordPress.

In this post, you will better understand how React.js and WordPress can work together to create modern and dynamic websites.

Can you use React with WordPress?

React.js can use as a frontend, with WordPress as a backend. The WordPress REST API allows developers to fetch and update data from the WordPress backend using HTTP requests. React.js can create dynamic user interfaces that display this data in real time.

For example, you have a WordPress website displaying a blog post list. With the WordPress REST API, you can fetch and display this list of posts using React.js components. You can also use React.js to create interactive elements, such as a search bar or filtering options, that allow users to navigate and find the posts they’re looking for easily.

When comparing WordPress and React.js as frontends, it’s important to note that WordPress is primarily a content management system. At the same time, React.js is a library for building user interfaces. WordPress is designed to make it easy to create and manage content. At the same time, React.js focuses on creating interactive and dynamic user interfaces.

WordPress is an excellent option if you’re focusing on creating and managing content. At the same time, React.js is a better choice if you want to create complex and interactive user interfaces. However, by using React.js with WordPress as a backend, you can combine the strengths of both platforms and create robust and modern web applications.

How to use React.js with WordPress

React.js can be used as a frontend to display data from WordPress, which can act as the backend to store and manage the data. The WordPress REST API allows developers to access and manipulate WordPress data using HTTP requests. It means developers can build web applications using React.js and retrieve data from WordPress sites without reloading the page.

Here are the steps to integrate React.js with WordPress:

Enable the WordPress REST API

The WordPress REST API did not enable by default. Please install and activate the WP REST API plugin on your WordPress site to allow it to. It will make WordPress data available through REST API endpoints.

Build a React.js app.

You can build your React.js app using your preferred tools, such as React, ReactDOM, and Babel. You can also use create-react-app to set up a React.js project quickly.

Fetch data from WordPress

Once the WordPress REST API is enabled, you can request HTTP to retrieve data from your site. For example, you can use the fetch() method in React.js to retrieve posts, pages, or custom post types from WordPress.

Display data in React.js

Once you have fetched data from WordPress, you can display it in your React.js app using JSX. In addition, you can use components to render data in a specific format.

Benefits of using WordPress REST API with React.js:

  1. With the WordPress REST API, you can retrieve data without reloading the page. Your website can load faster and provide a better user experience.
  2. The WordPress REST API provides a flexible way to access and manipulate WordPress data. It means you can build custom web applications and display WordPress data uniquely.
  3. The WordPress REST API is easy to use and provides a straightforward way to retrieve data from WordPress. It means developers can build web applications using React.js and WordPress without learning a new backend technology.

Create a simple form using React.js with WordPress

Step 1: Create a new page in WordPress

In your WordPress dashboard, create a new page and add the custom fields you want to collect user data. For this example, complete a form to order a user’s name and email address. Then, add two custom fields to the page: one for the user’s name and one for their email address.

Step 2: Retrieve custom field data using the WordPress REST API

We’ll use the WordPress REST API to retrieve users’ data into the custom fields. Here’s an example of how to recover the custom field data using the API:

				
					fetch('https://your-wordpress-site.com/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/{page-id}?_fields=acf')
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => {
    const name = data.acf.name;
    const email = data.acf.email;
  });
				
			

Replace ‘{page-id}’ with the page ID you created in step 1.

Step 3: Build the React.js form

Now that we have the custom field data, we can use React.js to build the form. Here’s an example of how to make the form using React:

				
					import React, { useState } from 'react';

function Form() {
  const [name, setName] = useState('');
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');

  function handleSubmit(e) {
    e.preventDefault();

    // Submit the form data to WordPress using the REST API
    // ...
  }

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <label>
        Name:
        <input type="text" value={name} onChange={e => setName(e.target.value)} />
      </label>
      <label>
        Email:
        <input type="email" value={email} onChange={e => setEmail(e.target.value)} />
      </label>
      <button type="submit">Submit</button>
    </form>
  );
}
				
			

This form includes two input fields for the user’s name, email address, and a submit button. When the user submits the form, we’ll use the WordPress REST API to send the data to the WordPress backend.

Step 4: Submit the form data to WordPress

When the form is submitted, we can use the WordPress REST API to send the data to the WordPress backend. Here’s an example of how to do that:

				
					function handleSubmit(e) {
  e.preventDefault();

  fetch('https://your-wordpress-site.com/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/{page-id}', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      acf: {
        name: name,
        email: email,
      },
    }),
  });
}
				
			

Replace ‘{page-id}’ with the page ID you created in step 1.

Benefits of using React.js and WordPress together in this creating forms:

  • With React.js, forms can be more dynamic and responsive, providing a better user experience.
  • Using WordPress custom fields and the WordPress REST API, developers can create forms in WordPress without needing to learn a new form creation tool.
  • WordPress provides robust data storage and management capabilities, making storing and managing the data collected from forms easy.

Final Lines

Integrating React.js with WordPress as a backend can provide numerous benefits for creating dynamic and interactive websites. For example, the WordPress REST API allows accessible communication between React.js and WordPress, making fetching and updating data in real-time more accessible. Additionally, using custom fields in WordPress can enhance the functionality and user experience of React.js components.

Using React.js with WordPress can also provide an efficient and streamlined development process. For example, developers can leverage the power of React.js to create complex and dynamic user interfaces while using WordPress as a content management system.

Combining React.js with WordPress as a backend can provide a powerful solution for building modern and feature-rich web applications. Therefore, we recommend giving it a try for your next project. Need help with integrating React.js with WordPress? Contact Us!