· 4 Min read

How to optimise your Next JS app

Are you tired of sluggish web apps that load like a snail on a coffee break? Do you want your users to experience blazing-fast performance, all while making your development life a little easier? It's time to dive into the world of Next.js, the ultimate framework for web app optimization. This guide will take you on an exciting journey to unlock the secrets of server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), while leaving the sarcasm at the door.

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Chapter 1: The Perils of Poor Performance

Imagine, you've built a web app, and it's as slow as molasses on a winter's day. What could be wrong? Let's take a look at some common pitfalls, and yes, even good devs make these mistakes:

  • Overfetching Data: You load a gazillion records from your database on every page load, and your database cries for mercy.

  • Underusing Cache: Caching? What's that? Your users are repeatedly fetching the same data, and you're hitting your database like it's a vending machine.

Chapter 2: The Glorious World of Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

SSR, it's like ordering a pizza and getting it while it's still hot. Here's how you do it:

import React from 'react';
 
const Page = ({ data }) => (
  <div>
    <h1>{data.title}</h1>
    <p>{data.description}</p>
  </div>
);
 
export async function getServerSideProps() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await res.json();
 
  return {
    props: {
      data,
    },
  };
}
 
export default Page;
 

Chapter 3: Static Site Generation (SSG) - Faster Than Lightning

SSG is like having a pizza delivered before you even know you want it. Here's a taste of it:

import React from 'react';
 
const Page = ({ data }) => (
  <div>
    <h1>{data.title}</h1>
    <p>{data.description}</p>
  </div>
);
 
export async function getStaticProps() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await res.json();
 
  return {
    props: {
      data,
    },
  };
}
 
export default Page;
 

Chapter 4: Building on Good Code

Now, let's get real. The key to Next.js optimization is clean, maintainable code. No more spaghetti, we promise

  • Proper Data Fetching: Fetch the data you need when you need it. Overfetching is so last season.

  • Smart Caching: Learn to love caching. Cache data that doesn't change every second, and avoid repetitive database calls.

Chapter 5: The Journey Continues

Congratulations! You've learned how to use SSR and SSG in Next.js, and you're writing clean code that runs like a dream. Your users are happier than ever, and your database is finally getting some rest.

Next.js isn't just a framework; it's your ticket to web app optimization greatness. So, go forth, build lightning-fast web apps, and let the performance be with you!


This guide will provide you with in-depth knowledge of optimizing web apps in Next.js. We've explored the power of server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG) and dived into the art of writing clean and efficient code. It's time to embark on your journey toward web app optimization greatness.