What is Next.js?
Next.js is a powerful React framework that provides server-side rendering, static site generation, and API routes out of the box. Created by Vercel, it simplifies the process of building production-ready React applications.
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
Next.js enables server-side rendering, which improves SEO and initial page load times. Pages are rendered on the server before being sent to the client, providing better performance and search engine visibility.
Static Site Generation (SSG)
With static site generation, Next.js can pre-render pages at build time. This is perfect for blogs, documentation sites, and marketing pages that don't require dynamic content on every request.
API Routes
Next.js allows you to create API endpoints within your application. You can build full-stack applications without needing a separate backend server, making deployment and development simpler.
Image Optimization
The built-in Image component automatically optimizes images, serving them in modern formats like WebP and resizing them based on device requirements. This significantly improves page load times.
File-Based Routing
Next.js uses a file-based routing system, where the file structure in the pages directory determines your application's routes. This makes navigation intuitive and eliminates the need for complex routing configuration.