Next.js is a React framework that enables server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and other powerful features to build modern web applications. Developed by Vercel, it enhances React’s capabilities by improving performance, SEO, and scalability.

Why Do We Use Next.js in Our Projects?

– Improved Performance with SSR & SSG ⚡
Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Renders pages on the server, improving page load speed and SEO, and Static Site Generation (SSG): Pre-renders pages at build time for ultra-fast performance.

– SEO-Friendly 📈
Unlike traditional React apps (which rely on client-side rendering), Next.js helps with better indexing by search engines.

– File-Based Routing System 🗂️
No need for third-party routers—simply create a file in the /pages directory, and it becomes a route automatically.

– API Routes (Backend in a React App) 🔗
Allows you to create serverless functions and backend APIs directly within your Next.js app (/pages/api).

– Automatic Code Splitting & Optimization 🚀
Loads only the necessary JavaScript for each page, improving load time and efficiency.

– Built-in Image Optimization 🖼️
The next/image component provides automatic lazy loading, resizing, and format optimization.

– Hybrid Capabilities (SSR + SSG + ISR) 🔄
Supports Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR), allowing pages to be updated without rebuilding the entire site.