Understanding Server-Side Rendering (SSR) in Next.js | Updated 2024

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Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is a technique used in modern web development to improve performance and SEO by rendering web pages on the server before they are sent to the client. Next.js, a powerful framework built on top of React, offers seamless support for SSR, making it a popular choice for developers aiming to build fast and SEO-friendly web applications. In this article, we will delve into what SSR is, why it’s beneficial, and how you can implement it using Next.js.

What is SSR?

Server-Side Rendering refers to the process of taking a client-side JavaScript framework website (like those built with React) and rendering it to static HTML on the server. This HTML is then sent to the client’s browser, where the JavaScript loads and makes the page fully interactive. This process differs from client-side rendering, where the JavaScript needed to render the page is sent to the browser, and the page is rendered there.

Benefits of SSR in Next.js

1. Improved Performance: SSR sends a fully rendered page to the client, meaning the browser can start displaying content faster.
2. Enhanced SEO: Search engines can crawl the site more effectively because the rendered HTML is fully visible to search engine crawlers.
3. Better Initial Load Experience: Users see the page content sooner, which can significantly improve the perceived performance of the application.

Implementing SSR in Next.js

Implementing SSR in Next.js is straightforward due to its built-in support. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a basic SSR in a Next.js application.

Step 1: Set Up Your Next.js Project

First, create a new Next.js project by running the following commands in your terminal:

npx create-next-app my-next-app
cd my-next-app

Step 2: Create a New Page

In Next.js, pages in the pages directory automatically become routes that are server-side rendered. Create a new file ssr-page.js in the pages directory:

touch pages/ssr-page.js

Step 3: Add React Component with SSR

Open pages/ssr-page.js and add the following code:

function SSRPage({ data }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Server-Side Rendered Page</h1>
      <p>{data.message}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

// This function gets called at build time on server-side.
// It can be used to fetch data from a backend and send it as props to the page.
export async function getServerSideProps() {
  // Example of fetching data from an API
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await res.json();

  // Pass data to the page via props
  return { props: { data } };
}

export default SSRPage;

Step 4: Run Your Application

Now, run your Next.js application to see SSR in action:

npm run dev

Navigate to http://localhost:3000/ssr-page in your browser to view the SSR page.

Step 5: Deploy Your Application

To see the full effect of SSR, deploy your Next.js application to a production environment. Vercel, the creators of Next.js, provides a simple deployment solution:

npm install -g vercel
vercel login
vercel

Follow the prompts to deploy your application.

Conclusion

Server-Side Rendering in Next.js offers a robust solution for enhancing performance and SEO by rendering JavaScript applications on the server. By following the steps outlined above, you can implement SSR in your Next.js project and enjoy the benefits of faster page loads and improved search engine visibility. Whether you’re building a new application or upgrading an existing one, integrating SSR with Next.js can significantly optimize your web application’s user experience and performance.

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SSR in Next.js – FAQs