Next.js is a versatile framework with built-in features suitable for modern web development. It has emerged as a powerful tool providing support to the developers for creating high-performance web applications. On the other hand, React helps to create robust and interactive user interface. Next.js facilitates the capability by offering server-side rendering, static site generation, and streamlined routing out of the box. In this blog we will discuss Next.js in detail and a comparison of Next.js vs React.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a robust open-source framework specifically designed to work with React to build fast and user-friendly web applications and static websites. It simplifies web app development and offers built-in server-side rendering, static site generation, and automatic code-splitting features. It also provides a set of conventions and tools to streamline tasks. To fully leverage the potential of Next.js, hire React Native developers who can bring their expertise to create seamless and efficient applications.

What’s in Next.js?

• Built-in optimizations

Automatic optimizations of image, fonts, and scripts for improved UX and core web vitals.

• Dynamic HTML streaming

Stream user interface (UI) instantly from the server, integrated with the app router and react suspense.

• React server components

Add React components without sending additional JavaScript to the client side built on the latest React features.

• Data fetching

Next.js supports both server and client data through the React component.

• CSS support

Style your applications with tools including CSS Modules, Tailwind CSS, and popular community libraries.

• Client and server rendering

Flexible rendering and caching options including Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR) per page.

• Server actions

Run server code by calling a function and easily revalidate cached data and update your UI.

• Route handlers

Build API endpoints and securely connect with third-party services for handling authentic webhooks.

• Advanced routing and nested layouts

Create routes, including support for more advanced routing patterns and UI layouts using file systems.

• Middleware

Take control of the incoming request and use code to define the route. Also access rules for authentication, experiment, and internationalization.

Key features of Next.js

1. Routing:

Routing is essential in web development to determine how an application manages and reacts to various URLs or paths. In Next.js, routing is an important feature, helping developers design and manage their applications’ navigation and page rendering logic. The routing system works in three ways:

• Dynamic routing

It simplifies the development process and eliminates the necessity for creating separate pages. A single page file can handle multiple variations based on dynamic parameters saving time and effort. Additionally, it reduces code duplication and minimizes maintenance overhead.

• Nested routing

It facilitates the creation of hierarchical page structures and automatically reflects the URL structure. It organizes the page files within nested directories inside the pages directory.

• Index routing

It refers to the default route configuration for a directory and allows it to redirect to a default page when a user visits the root URL.

2. Rendering

• Server-side rendering

It is a technique that enables web applications to deliver fully rendered HTML content on the server before sending it to the client. For example, if a user requests a page from the Next.js application, the server accepts and processes it by generating HTML content for that page. The user receives a fully formed HTML page directly from the server rather than the HTML skeletal structure requiring further rendering on the client side. Therefore, performing the rendering on the server optimizes the page loading time and enhances the user experience.

It also improves SEO search as they have difficulty indexing JavaScript-heavy applications relying on client-side rendering. Next.js provides pre-rendered HTML content to search engines. This is more straightforward to crawl and index. It not only enhances visibility but also drives organic traffic to websites and applications.

SSR integrates with existing server-side APIs and backend systems. The applications interact with server-side resources such as databases, external APIs, and authentication systems creating personalized experiences for the users.

• Client-side rendering

The browser downloads a basic HTML skeleton and depends on JavaScript to procure data and render the page.

3. Data fetching

There are three methods for data fetching such as getStaticProps, getServerSideProps, and API routes. It enables them to fetch data from databases, APIs, and other sources to incorporate into their application. Server-side rendering and static site generation also allow data fetching to optimize performance.

In Next.js, leveraging the getStaticProps function is essential for static site generation. When an application undergoes the build process, Next.js executes getStaticProps to fetch data and simultaneously proceeds to generate static HTML files, incorporating the fetched data. This process is ideal for fetching data, as it allows pre-rendering at build time.

In Next.js, getServerSideProps is important when using server-side rendering. When a page is requested, the requisite data are effectively fetched before redirecting the page. It is then integrated as properties into the page component with the necessary data for rendering. This approach is beneficial for data retrieval that requires authentication, access to server-side resources, or frequently changing data.

Developers can create serverless API routes within their applications using pages or API directory. These API routes are capable to handle various HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc., and provides a way to build backend functionality directly to the Next.js application. It also enables seamless integration between client-side and server-side code.

4. Styling

The Next.js supports the preferred styling methods such as CSS modules, Tailwind CSS, and CSS-in-JS.

5. Optimization

It enhances images, font, and scripts to improve your application’s Core Web Vitals and user experience.

6. TypeScript

Improves support for better type checking and more efficient compilation and custom TypeScript Plugin and type checker.

Suggested: How can JavaScript revolutionize your backend with the top frameworks

Pros of using Next.js

• Improve search engine optimization

Create and maximize the potential of your web application with all the features and interactivity required, ensuring optimal search engine visibility like a static text-based website. Gain a competitive edge with this strategic approach.

• Open graph customization

Single page applications make it challenging for effectively displaying metadata for each URLs within your web applications. It optimizes SEO and improves the appearance of your URL on social networks.

• Enhance performance

It mitigates the browser stalling caused by downloading and simultaneously executing large JavaScript code, resulting in improved metrics such as total blocking time (TBT). It also monitors the time duration at which the script blocks the user interaction with the web app. If your TBT is higher, the visibility of your web app to the users increases.

• Lazy loading

Next.js a provides better user experience. For example, if your website takes time to load then it might happen that the user will exit from the website. So, you need to employ a tool such as a spinning wheel for the user to understand that the page is loading.

• Accessibility

Next.js webpages are cross-platform compatible, making them widely accessible.

Cons of using Next.js

• Routing

Next.js is limited to some projects and is used only for file routers. If you need to use dynamic routes, you need a Node.js server.

• Build time

Next.js supports the static structure of the entire website content. Further, creating apps with multiple pages can be time-consuming.

Next.js Vs React

Why should you use Next.js?

There are various benefits of Next js:

• Increased sales and conversion rate
• Enhanced marketing channels
• Reduced maintenance cost
• Improved user experience
• Easier business scaling
• Gain a competitive edge

Real-world uses of Next.js

• Netflix

The server-side rendering framework capabilities are important in delivering a smoother streaming experience.

• WhatsApp

The server-side rendering framework can handle dynamic content that facilitates real-time display of messages and updates providing users a reliable communication platform.

• Spotify

Next,js allows faster page loads and enhances the user experience when accessing music.

• Uber

The framework supports for incremental static regeneration, enabling the delivery of up-to-date information whether booking a ride or checking updates on journey.

Conclusion

Next.js is widely used in the React ecosystem for building fast, scalable, and SEO-friendly web applications. Its comprehensive feature set and ease of use make it a popular choice for small and large projects. However, depending on your business requirement you need to select the right framework to stay ahead of the competitive world.

Some of the key advantages are:

• Create web applications with server-side render and static website
• Enhance performance and SEO
• Optimize user experience
• Built-in routing and API handling