Salesforce Lightning Web Components (LWC) is a new programming model for building Lightning components in Salesforce (as you’ve probably figured out from the name). Lightning Web Components are custom HTML elements built using HTML and modern JavaScript, which make building them a far more efficient process.
If you’re in need of a more in-depth article covering LWC basics, we have you covered with An Introduction to Salesforce Lightning Web Components. We also have a great collection of Salesforce Lightning Web Components Tips & Tricks (as well as when to develop in LWC vs Aura), so check that out.
In this article, we’re going to let you in on the secrets to Salesforce Lightning Web Component success, straight from the expert. Let’s get started.
Expert Lightning Web Component Tips
One of our senior-level Salesforce consultants has been working with Lightning Web Components since its launch several years ago. We asked him to give us some of his best advice for clients working with Lightning components, and here are the three topics he considered most important to focus on:
Know Your Data Source
When getting started with Lightning Web Components, decide what source of data will be shown on the LWC. If the source of data requires an Apex call, (which is a call to the back candidate data), a specific kind of design is required that’s a bit trickier to tackle. If the data does not need an Apex call, however, that will result in a much simpler, cleaner type of design.
Speaking of Apex calls…
Only Use the Apex Method When Necessary
In general, using an Apex call takes more management and could take longer to conclude, which is why most developers try to avoid them when possible. Best practice is to see if the data you require is already present on the page. If the data can be linked or retrieved from the current page, an Apex method isn’t needed. Instead, you can use the Lightning Data Service, which loads a record on the Lightning Web Component without having to do it in an Apex call (improving efficiency and speed).
Have a Central Repository of the Source
A general guideline for development is to have source control. If you have a central repository of the source, you can create files, make modifications, deploy, and rollback quickly. This is one of the advantages of moving from Aura to Lightning Web Components, as the tools for Lightning Web Components allow you to have a central repository for your source, while Aura does not.
3 Benefits of Working with Salesforce Experts
There you have it—three best practices to using Salesforce Lightning Web Components, straight from the expert. Of course, there’s a big difference between reading expert advice and actually having an experienced consultant in your corner to help guide you through the process. Here are some other benefits of working with knowledgeable Salesforce consultants.
1) No Need to Train a Seasoned Expert
With Lightning Web Components being a relatively new release from Salesforce, there’s a limited number of experienced and proficient developers out there in the wild. Instead of training someone on your own team (with all the time and effort involved), why not have a seasoned expert at the ready who already understands best practices and pitfalls to avoid?
2) LWC Projects Require an Unusual Skillset
While Lightning Web Components can be simpler to use than Aura, it’s still a bit complicated depending on what you’re doing with it. There are multiple layers to manage, especially when it comes to data access, layout, and storing your source. And since in-house developers tend not to be focused on these types of projects, they may not be your best choice when it comes to tackling this sort of thing.
Working with an outside expert who understands the nuances of LWC projects and how to navigate through their complications, on the other hand, allows you to keep your developers where they’re needed and take advantage of this new Salesforce technology at the same time. Win-win!
3) Put an Outside Perspective to Work for You
Two other benefits a third-party consultant brings to the table are previous experience in this type of project, as well as an outside perspective. Obviously, an expert Salesforce Lightning Web Component consultant has experience with LWC in general, but more than that, they’ve seen how a variety of companies have put the programming model into practice. More than merely informing you about best practices and common pitfalls, an outside perspective like theirs can provide you and your team with out-of-the-box solutions. Better yet, they can back them up with examples and stories of how they’ve helped similar organizations in the past.
Getting Started with Salesforce Lightning Web Components
There’s just no getting around it—Lightning Web Components is the future. When organizations use Lightning Web Components, their user interface (UI) performance increases significantly thanks to modern browsers that support the latest code standards. If you’re ready to get started with setup, configuration, or integration, our senior-level Salesforce consulting team is here to help.
Contact us today to get started.
