What makes a good chatbot experience? Most people think of witty responses and machine learning, but the basis of a chatbot UX is actually rooted in content strategy. Learn how to develop a chatbot that sounds human and engages people.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/create-engaging-useful-chatbot/

In this article, we’ll learn how to turn our static designs into a live, code-based prototype with real fields, forms, maps, and animations, and in turn, transform this prototype into React code — all integrated into one tool.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/design-developer-friendly-react-code-animaapp/

In this episode, we’re talking about Web Performance. What does the performance landscape look like in 2021? Drew McLellan talks to expert Harry Roberts to find out.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/smashing-podcast-episode-34/

How to stay creative, focused, and organized when working remotely? We've collected some useful tools and resources that we use daily — to help you get most out of your remote work.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/tools-resources-remote-work/

For hungry freelancers, it can be hard to turn work away. But in the long run, saying no to a project that’s a bad fit will make you a better freelancer. This article will help freelancers and consultants think critically about when to decline an opportunity or request and how to do so assertively but kindly.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/say-no-freelance-projects/

In this article, we’ll take a close look at some of the changes we made on this very site — running on JAMStack with React — to optimize the web performance and improve the Core Web Vitals metrics. With some of the mistakes we’ve made, and some of the unexpected changes that helped boost all the metrics across the board.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/smashingmag-performance-case-study/

In this article, John Agbanusi explains how you can build a Node.js API from scratch by building and deploying an Ethereum Blockchain for decentralization. He also shows you a step-by-step process of integrating both the API and blockchain into a single API called a “decentralized application API”.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/nodejs-api-ethereum-blockchain/

In this tutorial, we’re going to learn how to use Grommet as a UI library for React applications. We’ll use Grommet as a UI library of choice to create a pricing component, this would help us have a better understanding of how to use Grommet.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/grommet-react-applications/

Catch up on what’s been cookin’ at Smashing and explore some of the most popular community resources featured in our newsletter over the past few weeks. Spoiler: there are also new workshops, front-end & UX audits and truly smashing podcast episodes.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/monthly-roundup-01-2021/

2020 was anything but normal. Consumers had their lives shaken up and many businesses experienced new challenges as well as opportunities thanks to the novel events of the year.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/web-design-trends-report-2021/

When it comes to building a conversational chat assistant that could be used at a small or enterprise level, Dialogflow would most likely be one of the first options that would show up in your search list. But apart from its console that is provided to design and manage an Agent, how can we create a chat assistant that can be used within our built web applications, too?

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/dialogflow-agent-react-application/

Let’s make 2021... fast! An annual front-end performance checklist (available as PDF, Apple Pages, MS Word), with everything you need to know to create fast experiences on the web today, from metrics to tooling and CSS/JavaScript techniques.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/front-end-performance-2021-free-pdf-checklist/

GetX is an extra lightweight solution for state, navigation, and dependencies management for Flutter applications. In this article, we will be looking at its benefits, features, and how to start using it in Flutter applications.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/getx-package-flutter-applications/

Developing a Shopify app and being able to sell it are two different things. While you might be a very skilled app developer, that’s not always enough for Shopify merchants to decide to install a newly released and unreviewed app on their sites. If you want to give merchants a reason to install and use your Shopify app, there are four things you need to do.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/selling-shopify-apps-2021/

This article is a response to the Platform Adjacency Theory by Alex Russell, with specific takes on WebUSB and some alternative proposals for a way forward.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/web-expose-hardware-capabilities/

The founding principles of the World Wide Web have been warped by years of over-reliance on advertising. Fixing that imbalance and moving toward a more ethical, open web means relaying the foundations, with sites showing other ways are possible.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/towards-ad-free-web-diversifying-online-economy/

What better way could there be to start the new year than with some fresh inspiration? Our collection of wallpapers for January 2021 is bound to put a smile on your face — and maybe spark new ideas, too.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2020/12/desktop-wallpaper-calendars-january-2021/

This article is the first part of an upcoming series that provides a practical introduction to Dependency Injection in a manner that immediately permits you to realize its many benefits without being hampered down by theory.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2020/12/practical-introduction-dependency-injection/

In this episode, we’re taking a look back at 2020. Who did we speak to in our episodes this year, and what did we learn? Let’s listen back to some clips to find out.

https://smashingmagazine.com/2020/12/smashing-podcast-episode-32/

Technology has done our world wonders: from advancements in medicine, travel, communication, and not to mention our own day-to-day lives. There’s no doubt that it has “transformed human experience” by impacting the way our society functions, as well as how we interact with one another and ourselves. But is this actually a good thing?

https://smashingmagazine.com/2020/12/creativity-technology/