Common Mistakes When Setting Up Initial React Components

Common Mistakes When Setting Up Initial React Components

Setting up initial components has predictable mistakes that cost time later. Here are the common ones and how to avoid them.

One Giant Component

Putting the entire page in one component. This is hard to read, change, and reuse. Split into smaller focused components from the start.

No Reusable Primitives

Writing buttons and inputs inline everywhere instead of building reusable primitives. This causes style drift and repetition. Build Button, Input, and Card once.

Forgetting the Layout

Building page content without a shared layout, so every page re-implements the header and sidebar. Use a shared layout component with an Outlet.

Hardcoding Data

Hardcoding users and items in components instead of fetching. This misses the data-fetching skills real apps need. Fetch from the backend, even in early stages.

No State Plan

Adding state ad hoc without thinking where it lives. This creates a tangled flow. Sketch the state locations before coding, even briefly.

Inconsistent Naming

Inconsistent component file naming and prop names. This wastes time searching. Pick conventions and stick to them, like PascalCase for component files.

Skipping Loading and Error States

Building only the success case. Then when you add fetching, the UI breaks because there is no loading or error handling. Add these from the start.

The Takeaway

Common initial setup mistakes include one giant component, no reusable primitives, no shared layout, hardcoded data, no state plan, inconsistent naming, and skipped loading and error states. Avoid these and the project starts well.