React is an excellent choice when an interface contains reusable components, changing application state, or rich interactions. Dashboards, portals, complex forms, and product experiences often benefit from a component-based architecture that keeps behavior organized.
Traditional HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be the better choice for a focused marketing website, portfolio, or content-led page. A simpler stack can reduce the amount of JavaScript shipped to the browser and make deployment easier on static hosting such as GitHub Pages.
The decision should not be based on popularity. Consider how often the content changes, whether users need application-like interactions, how the website will be deployed, and who will maintain it later. A small website does not become better simply because it uses a larger framework.
Good frontend development is about choosing the smallest reliable solution that supports the product. Both React and traditional HTML can produce excellent results when the architecture matches the real requirements.
The choice can also change over time. Start with a focused solution, document its boundaries, and introduce a framework when the product has a genuine need for shared state, repeated application behavior, or a larger development team.