What Next.js means
Next.js is our pick when a project needs speed, custom functionality or a headless CMS front end. It can pre-build pages, render them on the server, or update them on a schedule, which helps Core Web Vitals and SEO. It needs developers to build and maintain, so it is not a DIY tool.
Why it matters for your website
Next.js lets developers build sites that load quickly and are easy for search engines to read, because pages can be prepared on the server or ahead of time. That supports good SEO and Core Web Vitals. It also makes it easier to add app-like features later without rebuilding from scratch.
A regional insurance agency rebuilds its site in Next.js with content pulled from a headless CMS. Service pages are generated ahead of time, so they load fast and are fully readable by Google.
Tips
- Use static generation for pages that rarely change, like service and about pages.
- Use the built-in image component to resize and lazy-load images automatically.
- Make sure your team or vendor can maintain a React codebase before choosing it.
Common mistakes
- Rendering key content only in the browser, which makes pages slower and harder to crawl.
- Choosing Next.js for a simple brochure site when nobody on staff can update the code or CMS.
