Web development never stops evolving. From drag-and-drop website builders like Wix or Webflow to powerful JavaScript frameworks like React, the number of tools available to developers has never been higher.
Next.js is one of many JavaScript frameworks available on the market today. Open-source and supported by static website host Vercel, Next.js combines the convenience and security of a static front-end with the power of dynamically generated content. A true hybrid between front-end and back-end, Next.js is worth considering for your next web development project. Here are four great reasons to learn Next.js!
Next.js is an all-in-one solution for web applications
There are dozens of powerful frameworks intended for either client and server-side rendered web applications, but few excel at both. Next.js combines the flexibility of React with useful tools and features needed to build static, dynamic, or hybrid websites and applications.
Next.js is intended to sidestep many of the boilerplate and busywork required to develop web applications. It provides tools and conventions that accelerate website builds while playing nice with various databases, micro-services, and other back-end features. It’s intended to integrate with your preferred tech stack, whatever that may be.
To accomplish the same hybrid CSR/SSR development stack with other libraries or frameworks may require several different tools. Next.js offers you the power of both in one package!
Next.js eats APIs for breakfast.
The rise of micro-services, helpers, and headless content management systems makes consuming API data more critical than ever for web development.
Handling data from APIs is standard stuff for web developers. But why waste time developing your handlers if you can avoid it? Next.js gives developers out-of-the-box API consumption for both client and server-side rendered pages.
Next.js makes creating APIs just as simple with its API routing convention. It ships with support for both REST and GraphQL API support.
Open-source but privately backed
Open-source software is fantastic. The modern web relies on open-source tech to deliver cutting-edge experiences to users. One challenge with open-source software is funding. Open-source passion projects can be incredibly valuable, but what happens if the passion runs out? So many great libraries and packages have fallen into disrepair after the maintaining developers move on to other projects or retire. Relying on such packages in production sites can cause security issues and outright technical failure as the software grows increasingly outdated.
With Next.js, you don’t need to worry about that. Directly supported by static website host Vercel, Next.js is backed by a mature company worth an estimated $2.5 billion. It’s even recommended by React itself as a solution for server-rendered React websites.
Built to be fast in every way
Speed is a primary concern for any developer. People want fast websites, and they want them developed quickly. Next.js helps on both fronts.
Next.js includes commonly used components and conventions out-of-the-box to allow for faster development of MVPs. The create-next-app command line tool, which mimics the famous create-react-app tool, allows for rapid scaffolding of various projects through its robust library of example projects. Live previews and fast refresh make testing and incrementally developing front-end components easy.
Next.js comes bundled with best-in-class image, font, and file optimization for end users. Its emphasis on server-rendered content encourages fast and secure front-end development.
Conclusion
There’s a good reason why Next.js is trusted by dozens of the world’s largest tech companies like TikTok, Hulu, and DoorDash. It’s a powerful framework for rapidly developing secure and scaleable apps and websites. Whether you need a consumer-facing web app or a B2B marketing website, Next.js is an ideal candidate for your next development project.
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