Build a Travel Booking App with Autocomplete Using the Meilisearch Strapi Plugin in React.js

[DevvEmeka]

In this blog series, Strapi serves as a content management system (CMS) that defines and manages content models for the booking application. Meilisearch indexes this content in real time, facilitating quick search queries and autocomplete suggestions. I will use Meilisearch's JavaScript client in the React.js front-end to dynamically fetch and display search results.

Users will be able to enter their travel queries into a search bar, and the autocomplete feature will help them quickly find destinations, hotels, flights, or other travel-related information.

Series Overview: Build a Travel Booking App with Autocomplete Using the Meilisearch Strapi Plugin in React.js

Part 1: Setting Up the Project Environment

1. Introduction

   • Overview of the project
   • Goals and outcomes of the series

2. Prerequisites

   • Required tools and technologies
   • Basic knowledge assumptions (React.js, Node.js, etc.)

3. Setting Up the Backend with Strapi

   • Installing Strapi
   • Creating a new Strapi project
   • Setting up the content types (e.g., Destinations, Hotels, Flights)
   • Configuring Strapi to serve the content

4. Integrating Meilisearch with Strapi

   • Introduction to Meilisearch
   • Installing the Meilisearch plugin for Strapi
   • Configuring Meilisearch with Strapi
   • Indexing the content types for search

5. Testing the Backend

   • Verifying the Strapi setup
   • Ensuring Meilisearch is correctly indexing the content
   • Testing API endpoints

6. Summary

   • Recap of the setup process
   • Preview of the next part

Part 2: Building the Frontend with React.js

1. Introduction

   • Overview of frontend setup
   • Goals for this part

2. Setting Up the React Project

   • Creating a new React project using Create React App
   • Installing necessary dependencies (axios, react-router, etc.)
   • Structuring the project

3. Fetching Data from the Strapi Backend

   • Configuring axios to communicate with the Strapi API
   • Creating services to fetch data
   • Displaying data on the frontend

4. Integrating Meilisearch for Autocomplete

   • Setting up Meilisearch client in React
   • Implementing search input with autocomplete
   • Handling search results and displaying suggestions

5. Building the UI

   • Creating components for the travel booking app (e.g., SearchBar, SearchResults, DestinationDetails)
   • Styling components using CSS/Styled Components
   • Enhancing user experience with responsive design

6. Testing the Frontend

   • Ensuring data is fetched correctly
   • Verifying autocomplete functionality
   • Debugging common issues

7. Summary

   • Recap of the frontend setup and integration
   • Preview of the final part

Part 3: Enhancing Features and Deployment

1. Introduction

   • Overview of feature enhancements and deployment
   • Goals for this part

2. Advanced Features

   • Adding filters and sorting options for search results
   • Implementing pagination for large datasets
   • Enhancing the booking process (e.g., adding to favorites, booking confirmation)

3. Optimizing Performance

   • Improving search performance with Meilisearch settings
   • Optimizing API calls and data fetching
   • Using React.memo and other optimization techniques

4. Deployment Preparation

   • Building the React app for production
   • Setting up environment variables for production

5. Deploying the Backend

   • Choosing a hosting provider (e.g., Heroku, DigitalOcean)
   • Deploying the Strapi backend
   • Configuring the backend for production

6. Deploying the Frontend

   • Choosing a hosting provider (e.g., Netlify, Vercel)
   • Deploying the React app
   • Connecting the frontend to the deployed backend

7. Testing and Monitoring

   • End-to-end testing of the deployed application
   • Setting up monitoring and error tracking
   • Ensuring search and booking functionalities work as expected

8. Summary and Conclusion

   • Recap of the entire series
   • Final thoughts and next steps
   • Additional resources for further learning

What are the objectives of your article?

To educate new users on how to integrate the Meilisearch Strapi Plugin in a travel booking app using React.js:

After reading this article, readers will have a good understanding of the Strapi Plugin, how it works, and how to integrate it into React.js. By following the tutorial, readers will gain practical knowledge of Strapi Plugin and its implementation.

What is your expertise as a developer or writer?

Advance

What type of post is this?

Tutorial

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[DevvEmeka]

@Theodore-Kelechukwu-Onyejiaku What do you think about my article proposal?

[Theodore-Kelechukwu-Onyejiaku]

Hi @DevvEmeka ,

Thanks for your proposal. Unfortunately, we have a similar blog post: https://strapi.io/blog/build-a-book-app-with-infinite-scrolling-and-meilisearch-strapi-plugin-in-react