Unveiling the Hidden Secrets of SSR in Next.js: Why Developers Aren't Using This Technique

Have you ever wondered why, despite all the hype about Server-Side Rendering (SSR) in Next.js, so many professional developers still avoid it? Is all that talk about improved SEO and user experience just a mirage? In this article, we'll lift the veil on the dark secrets of SSR in Next.js and show you why this technique isn't always the best choice.

Imagine you're developing a large e-commerce website, just like Amazon or eBay. Page load speed is critical for you, because even a small delay can lead to lost customers. In this situation, SSR seems like a savior at first glance. But is it really?

SSR in Next.js: A Closer Look

Next.js, by offering SSR, allows developers to render web pages on the server-side and send them to the browser as complete HTML. This makes it easier for search engines to index the site's content, thereby improving the site's SEO ranking. Also, website users see the content faster, because the browser doesn't need to execute JavaScript code to render the page.

But wait! Before you steer all your projects towards SSR, let's dig a little deeper and see what challenges await you.

Dark Secrets: Problems that SSR Creates

1. Increased Complexity in Development:

Implementing SSR in Next.js can add a lot of complexity to your project. You need to make sure that the server-side and client-side code are compatible with each other and that there are no errors when rendering the page on the server-side. This can become a serious challenge, especially in large and complex projects. Imagine debugging a bug that only occurs in the server environment and is very difficult to track down.

2. Increased Server Load:

Rendering pages on the server-side requires more computing resources. Every time a user requests a page, the server must render its content and send it to the browser. This can increase server load and, as a result, slow down the site's responsiveness. If your site has a lot of visitors, you may need to increase server resources, which can increase your costs.

3. Caching Problems:

Another challenge of SSR is cache management. If pages are not cached correctly, the server has to render their content from scratch every time, which can reduce site performance. Implementing an efficient caching system for SSR requires sufficient knowledge and experience and can take a lot of time and money.

4. Server Dependency:

By using SSR, your website becomes highly dependent on the server. If the server has a problem, users will not be able to see the site's content. This can be problematic, especially when the server is under DDoS attacks.

When Should We Use SSR?

Despite all the problems mentioned, SSR is still a valuable technique and can be very useful in some cases. In general, SSR is suitable for websites that require strong SEO and a fast user experience. For example, e-commerce websites, blogs, and news sites can benefit from SSR.

However, if your website has a lot of dynamic content and you don't need strong SEO, a Single-Page Application (SPA) using Client-Side Rendering (CSR) might be a better option for you.

Next.js SSR deep secrets: A Look to the Future

Ultimately, the choice between SSR and CSR depends on the specific needs and limitations of your project. Before making a decision, you should carefully consider the pros and cons of both methods and choose the best option, taking all aspects into account.

The Syntax Squad team, with its knowledge and experience in web development, is ready to help you choose the best solution for your project. By using the latest technologies and relying on the power of artificial intelligence, we can provide solutions that meet both your SEO needs and provide an exceptional user experience for your users.

At Syntax Squad, we believe that the future of web development is a combination of SSR and CSR. By using techniques like Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR) and Edge Computing, we can combine the advantages of both methods and achieve the best result.

So if you are looking for innovative and efficient solutions in the field of web development, contact us. We at Syntax Squad are ready to help you achieve your goals.