Next.js has revolutionized the way we build React applications. By providing a framework that handles server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG) out of the box, it solves many of the performance and SEO challenges associated with traditional Single Page Applications (SPAs).

Server-Side Rendering vs. Static Site Generation

One of the key features of Next.js is its ability to pre-render pages. This means that the HTML is generated on the server for each request (SSR) or at build time (SSG), resulting in faster initial page loads and better SEO.

API Routes

Next.js also allows you to create API endpoints as Node.js serverless functions. This makes it incredibly easy to build full-stack applications without needing a separate backend server.

Conclusion

With its robust feature set and excellent developer experience, Next.js is undoubtedly a top choice for modern web development.