Why Next.js could be a good choice for your next web frontend

Making its debut in 2016 as an open-source project on GitHub, Next.js has quickly become a known solution for front-end development. Today, many huge brands including Nike, OpenAI, Netflix and Spotify are all using Next.js as their JavaScript framework.

With so many options available, what makes Next.js stand out in front of the crowd, and how do we at Voyage use it to create high-performing, efficient and scalable React apps?

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a React-based JavaScript framework for building server-rendered or statically exported websites and applications. Because of its focus on React, it inherits all of the benefits that come with using React, such as a strong community support and a vast ecosystem of plugins and libraries, however, it moves beyond traditional React apps that can only render their content in the client-side browser, which leads us to the number one unique benefit of the solution.

Server-side rendering for dynamic sites

Arguably the main benefit of Next.js is that it allows users to choose between two different modes of operation: server-side rendering (SSR) or static site generation (SSG).

With SSR, the page is rendered on the server and sent to the client as HTML. This process happens on each request, which means that if you have an e-commerce site, each user will see slightly different content depending on their interaction with the site, such as the items in their shopping cart.

This approach has a few advantages. First, because the content is rendered on the server, search engine crawlers can index content more easily, which can lead to better SEO. Second, SSR generally results in better performance because the HTML is already formed when the browser receives it - there's no need for additional JS to be downloaded and executed before the content is displayed. And third, because the content is rendered on the server, you can use backend data sources, such as databases, to pre-populate your frontend UI - something that's not possible with traditional single page applications (SPAs).

Static site generation for low-cost projects

The beauty of Next.js is that for websites that don’t rely heavily on dynamic data, SSG is still an option and can help to keep costs low.

With SSG, a website is generated at build time and all of the resulting files are deployed to a CDN (content delivery network). Because the content is generated ahead of time, there's no need for a backend server, making SSG an attractive option for sites that are low-cost or hosted on highly-scalable platforms such as lambda functions or Netlify Functions.

With this option you can also generate static versions of pages that would otherwise require server-side rendering, like an e-commerce product detail page, which can minimise overall build times and improve performance by reducing the amount of work that needs to be done at runtime.

What are the pros and cons of Next.js?

One of the standout pros of Next.js is the potential to improve performance, thanks to built-in optimisations such as automatic code splitting and efficient asset loading. This not only accelerates load times but can also create a more responsive user experience. In addition, the framework's straightforward setup and intuitive file structure simplifies the development process, allowing developers to quickly initiate new projects and easily manage their code.

With its focus on fast loading speeds and search engine optimisation, Next.js can help increase conversion rates and drive sales. It also comes equipped with a variety of tools that to enhance marketing efforts, such as integration capabilities for social media and email campaigns. The extensive documentation available can further supports developers, making it easier to learn and implement the framework effectively.

Despite its advantages, Next.js does come with potential challenges. While the framework is designed for simplicity, it still requires a solid understanding of React, JavaScript, and web development principles, which can pose a learning curve for those new to these technologies. Additionally, Next.js relies on various external packages, like React and Webpack, which can introduce potential compatibility and security issues.

The performance optimisations offered by Next.js can at times lead to unnecessary overheads, particularly for smaller projects where such enhancements aren’t necessary. If opting for a serverless deployment, businesses need to also consider additional infrastructure requirements and associated costs. Finally, Next.js adheres to specific conventions and best practices, which can limit customisation options for certain projects, potentially restricting flexibility in development.

Choosing the right tech for the job

Choosing the right technology for your project can seem daunting, with several options available and each with their own set of benefits and potential challenges. At Voyage we’re passionate about understanding the tech, how it performs for different projects, and how we can get the most out of it.

While some clients come to us knowing what solutions they want to use, our discovery process is an important phase where we can drill down into what your overall aim is, and how we can maximise your tech investment to achieve the best results.

Contact us for more about how we can bring your Next.js project to life.