Creating Skeleton Loaders in React
In the world of user experience (UX), loading indicators play a crucial role in how users interact with applications while waiting for data to load. One popular approach to enhance UX during these wait times is implementing skeleton loaders. This article will guide you through the process of creating skeleton loaders in React, providing code examples and best practices along the way.
What Are Skeleton Loaders?
A skeleton loader is a UI placeholder that mimics the shape and layout of the content being loaded, providing users with a visual representation of what to expect. Instead of showing a traditional spinner or a plain loading screen, skeleton loaders keep users engaged and reduce perceived waiting time.
Why Use Skeleton Loaders?
- Improved User Experience: Skeleton loaders convey that content is on its way, reducing frustration while waiting.
- Visual Structure: They maintain the layout, allowing users to predict what will load next.
- Performance: Implementing skeleton loaders can make applications feel faster, as users perceive a smoother loading experience.
Creating Your First Skeleton Loader Component
Let’s build a simple skeleton loader component in React. For this example, we’ll create a user profile card skeleton.
Setup
Ensure you have a React application set up. If you don’t, you can create one using:
npx create-react-app skeleton-loader-exampleNavigate to your project directory:
cd skeleton-loader-exampleWriting the Skeleton Loader Component
First, create a new file named SkeletonLoader.js in the src directory. Here’s a simple implementation:
import React from 'react';
import './SkeletonLoader.css';
const SkeletonLoader = () => {
return (
);
}
export default SkeletonLoader;In this code, we define a functional component called SkeletonLoader that includes multiple divs, each representing a part of the user profile card.
Styling the Skeleton Loader
Next, create a file named SkeletonLoader.css to add styling. Skeleton loaders usually have a grey background and a pulsating effect.
.skeleton-card {
width: 300px;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
background-color: #f0f0f0;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
margin: 20px auto;
}
.skeleton-avatar {
width: 80px;
height: 80px;
border-radius: 50%;
background-color: #e0e0e0;
margin-bottom: 15px;
animation: pulse 1.5s infinite;
}
.skeleton-title {
height: 20px;
background-color: #e0e0e0;
width: 60%;
margin-bottom: 10px;
border-radius: 4px;
animation: pulse 1.5s infinite;
}
.skeleton-text {
height: 14px;
background-color: #e0e0e0;
width: 100%;
margin-bottom: 8px;
border-radius: 4px;
animation: pulse 1.5s infinite;
}
@keyframes pulse {
0% {
background-color: #e0e0e0;
}
50% {
background-color: #d1d1d1;
}
100% {
background-color: #e0e0e0;
}
}In this CSS, we create a basic style for our skeleton card and its elements. The animation gives it a pulsing effect, simulating a loading state.
Using Skeleton Loader with Actual Data
To make our skeleton loader more practical, let’s modify our application to conditionally render it when data is being loaded. For this example, we will use a simple fetching mechanism.
Fetching Data
In your App.js file, implement the data fetching logic:
import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
import SkeletonLoader from './SkeletonLoader';
const App = () => {
const [data, setData] = useState(null);
const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
useEffect(() => {
setTimeout(() => {
setData({
name: "John Doe",
bio: "Software Developer at XYZ",
});
setLoading(false);
}, 3000);
}, []);
return (
{loading ? (
) : (
{data.name}
{data.bio}
)}
);
}
export default App;In this implementation, we simulate data fetching with a setTimeout function. Initially, it sets the loading state to true, displaying the skeleton loader. After 3 seconds, it updates the data, which renders the actual profile card.
Adding Animation to Enhance Skeleton Loaders
To take the skeleton loader up a notch, let’s incorporate a fade-in animation to the actual content once it’s loaded. Update the CSS for the profile card:
.profile-card {
opacity: 0;
transition: opacity 0.5s ease-in;
}
.profile-card.fade-in {
opacity: 1;
}Now let’s add a class to achieve the fade-in effect when rendering the actual content. Update the App.js to include state for the transition:
import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
import SkeletonLoader from './SkeletonLoader';
const App = () => {
const [data, setData] = useState(null);
const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
const [fadeIn, setFadeIn] = useState(false);
useEffect(() => {
setTimeout(() => {
setData({
name: "John Doe",
bio: "Software Developer at XYZ",
});
setLoading(false);
setFadeIn(true);
}, 3000);
}, []);
return (
{loading ? (
) : (
{data.name}
{data.bio}
)}
);
}
export default App;By adding the `fade-in` class when the loading is complete, our content transitions smoothly into view.
Best Practices for Using Skeleton Loaders
Implementing skeleton loaders can significantly improve user experience, but there are a few best practices to keep in mind:
- Match the Layout: Ensure the skeleton accurately represents the shape and dimensions of the content being loaded.
- Keep it Simple: Avoid overly complex skeleton loaders that may confuse users.
- Limit Usage: Use skeleton loaders where necessary. Overusing them can clutter the interface.
- Accessibility: Make sure that skeleton loaders do not hinder accessibility. Consider using ARIA attributes where suitable.
Conclusion
Skeleton loaders are an excellent way to enhance the loading experience in React applications. They help users anticipate what content is coming, keeping them engaged during data retrieval. By following this guide, you can easily create and customize skeleton loaders in your projects.
Now that you understand the core concepts behind skeleton loaders in React, consider integrating them into your apps to improve the overall UX. Happy coding!
