Next.js Best Practices: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re into web development, you know how important it is to do things the right way. That’s where Next.js comes in – a cool framework for making awesome web applications. Whether you’re a coding pro or just starting, this guide will help you learn the ropes of making your Next.js projects top-notch.

We’re here to talk about stuff like making your sites load faster, getting them noticed by search engines, and building them so they look and work great on any device. We’ve got real tips from real experts, and we’ll explain everything in a way that makes sense, even if you’re not a tech wizard.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or fixing up something you already made, our guide will give you easy steps, examples you can relate to, and reasons why each tip matters. Let’s dive into the world of Next.js and learn how to make your Next.js web projects incredible!

Next.js Best Practices for Excellence

Next.js is a powerful framework that enables developers to build performant and scalable web applications. To make the most out of Next.js, it’s essential to follow best practices that ensure code quality, maintainability, and optimal performance. Here are some Next.js best practices to help you achieve excellence in your projects

Next.js Lazy Loading

Next.js, there’s a neat technique called lazy loading. It means that instead of bringing everything onto the webpage all at once, things only show up when you really need them. This helps the webpage use less data and load faster.

Next.js makes this happen using something called dynamic imports. Think of it like getting deliveries – you only ask for a package when you’re ready to use it, not all of them at once. By doing this, you can split your website’s code into smaller parts. Each part only shows up when it’s actually required. This makes your webpage start up faster because it doesn’t have to load everything from the beginning. It’s like setting up your webpage piece by piece instead of all at the same time.

Next.js code splitting with next/dynamic

Next.js code splitting is a technique used to split the JavaScript code of a Next.js application into smaller chunks, allowing the browser to load only the necessary code for each page or component.

Next.js uses automatic code splitting by default. When you build your Next.js application, it analyzes your pages and components and generates separate bundles for each one. These bundles are then loaded on-demand as the user navigates through the application.

next/dynamic is a feature offered by Next.js that allows you to import components dynamically. This is useful when you want to load a component only when it’s needed, such as when the user scrolls to a certain point on the page. To use next/dynamic, follow these steps:

1. Import the dynamic function from next/dynamic in your Next.js component file: import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';
2. Wrap the component you want to dynamically load with the dynamic function: const DynamicComponent = dynamic(() => import('./YourComponent'));
3. Render the DynamicComponent in your component’s JSX: <DynamicComponent />

That’s it! Now, the YourComponent will be lazy loaded and rendered only when it’s needed.

You can also pass additional configuration options to the dynamic function. For example, you can specify a loading component to be shown while the DynamicComponent is being loaded:

const DynamicComponent = dynamic(() => import('./YourComponent'), {
  loading: () => <div>Loading...</div>,
});

Additionally, you can configure other options like ssr (server-side rendering), ssg (static site generation), and noSsr (disable server-side rendering).

Lazy loading of Images

Next.js provides a component called Image that makes it easy to implement lazy loading of images. The Image component automatically optimizes and lazy loads images based on the viewport of the user’s device.

To use the Image component, follow these steps:

1. Import the Image component in your Next.js page or component file: import Image from 'next/image';
2. Replace the img tag with the Image component and specify the src and alt attributes: <Image src="/path/to/image.jpg" alt="Description of the image" />
3. You can specify the width and height attributes of the image. This helps Next.js optimize the image and generate multiple sizes for responsive layouts: <Image src="/path/to/image.jpg" alt="Description of the image" width={500} height={300} />

That’s it! Next.js will take care of lazy loading the image and optimizing it for performance. The Image component also provides additional features like automatic responsive layouts, priority loading, and placeholder images.
If you want to learn about chart libraries using react with next. You should go through the React chart libraries guide that we’ve published previously.

Using built-in Components

In Next.js, there are several built-in components that provide useful functionality out of the box. Here are some commonly used ones along with their use cases and code examples

Image Component

The Image component allows optimized image loading and lazy loading, improving performance and user experience. It automatically optimizes images based on the device and network conditions.

import Image from 'next/image';

const MyComponent = () => (
  <div>
    <Image src="/path/to/image.jpg" alt="Description" width={500} height={300} />
  </div>
);

Link Component

The Link component is used for client-side navigation in Next.js applications. It ensures that navigation between pages is faster by pre-fetching the necessary data.

import Link from 'next/link';

const MyComponent = () => (
  <div>
    <Link href="/about">
      About
    </Link>
  </div>
);

Script Component

The Script component is used to load external scripts into your Next.js application. It ensures that the scripts are loaded asynchronously and won’t block the rendering of the page.

import Script from 'next/script'

export default function MyApp({ Component, pageProps }) {
  return (
    <>
      <Component {...pageProps} />
      <Script src="https://example.com/script.js" />
    </>
  )
}

This script will load and execute when any route in your application is accessed. Next.js will ensure the script will only load once, even if a user navigates between multiple pages.

Head Component

The Head component allows you to modify the <head> tag of the document. It is useful for adding meta tags, managing the document title, and including external stylesheets or scripts.

import Head from 'next/head'

function IndexPage() {
  return (
    <div>
      <Head>
        <title>My page title</title>
      </Head>
      <p>Hello world!</p>
    </div>
  )
}

export default IndexPage

To avoid duplicate tags in your head you can use the key property, which will make sure the tag is only rendered once, as in the following example:

import Head from 'next/head'

function IndexPage() {
  return (
    <div>
      <Head>
        <title>My page title</title>
        <meta property="og:title" content="My page title" key="title" />
      </Head>
      <Head>
        <meta property="og:title" content="My new title" key="title" />
      </Head>
      <p>Hello world!</p>
    </div>
  )
}

export default IndexPage

These built-in components in Next.js provide convenient ways to handle common tasks and improve the performance and user experience of your application.

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Use CSS Modules

CSS Modules are a technique for localizing the scope of CSS class names in your web applications. They provide a way to encapsulate styles and prevent them from conflicting with each other when building complex user interfaces. CSS Modules are particularly useful in projects where multiple developers are working on different parts of the application, as they reduce the risk of inadvertently affecting styles in other components.

Here’s a Next.js example of how to use CSS Modules:

1. Open or Create styles.module.css and add some CSS code:

/* styles.module.css */
.button {
  background-color: blue;
  color: white;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
}

1. Create a new React component that uses the CSS Module:

import styles from '../styles/styles.module.css';

export default function Home() {
  return (
    <div>
      <button className={styles.button}>Click me</button>
    </div>
  );
}

In this example, the styles.button class is imported from the styles.module.css file using the styles object. This allows you to use the CSS classes defined in the module as properties of the styles object. This approach ensures that the class names are scoped to the component and won’t clash with global styles.

Caching Data in Next.js

Caching data is an effective technique to improve the performance and user experience of Next.js applications. By storing frequently accessed data in a cache, subsequent requests can be served faster, reducing the load on the server and improving overall performance. Next.js provides various methods and strategies to implement caching in your application.

Client-Side Caching

Next.js utilizes client-side caching to store and reuse data fetched from APIs or server-side rendering. This caching mechanism reduces the need to make repetitive API calls, resulting in faster page rendering and improved user experience.

To implement client-side caching in Next.js, you can take advantage of the SWR library. SWR is a powerful data fetching library that provides caching, revalidation, and deduplication of requests. Here’s the Next.js example of how to use SWR for caching data:

import useSWR from 'swr';

const fetcher = (url) => fetch(url).then((res) => res.json());

function MyComponent() {
  const { data } = useSWR('/api/data', fetcher);

  if (!data) {
    return <div>Loading...</div>;
  }

  return (
    <div>
      {data.map((item) => (
        <div key={item.id}>{item.name}</div>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}

In the example above, the useSWR hook is used to fetch data from the /api/data endpoint. The fetcher function is responsible for performing the actual API call. The fetched data is automatically cached by SWR, and subsequent renders of the component will reuse the cached data until it expires.

Server-Side Caching

By default, Next.js automatically caches the returned values of fetch in the Data Cache on the server. This means that the data can be fetched at build time or request time, cached, and reused on each data request.

// 'force-cache' is the default, and can be omitted
fetch('https://...', { cache: 'force-cache' })

fetch requests that use the POST method are also automatically cached. Unless it’s inside a Route Handler that uses the POST method, then it will not be cached.

If you are using Next.js 12 or older version then here’s an example of how to use getServerSideProps for server-side caching:

// pages/index.js

import React from 'react';

function HomePage({ data }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Server Side Caching Example</h1>
      <ul>
        {data.map((item) => (
          <li key={item.id}>{item.title}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
}

export async function getServerSideProps() {
  // Fetch data from an API or any other source
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();

  // Cache the data for 10 seconds
  const maxAge = 10;
  const cacheControl = `public, max-age=${maxAge}`;

  return {
    props: {
      data,
    },
    // Set the cache control header
    headers: {
      'Cache-Control': cacheControl,
    },
  };
}

export default HomePage;

In the above example, the getServerSideProps function fetches data from an API and sets the Cache-Control header to cache the data for 10 seconds. The fetched data is then passed as props to the HomePage component.

Server-side caching is just one approach to improve performance in Next.js applications. You can also use client-side caching libraries like SWR to cache data on the client side.

Use Route Handlers

Route Handlers allow you to create custom request handlers for a given route using the Web Request and Response APIs.

Route Handlers are only available inside the app directory. They are the equivalent of API Routes inside the pages directory meaning you do not need to use API Routes and Route Handlers together.

Route Handlers are defined in a [route.js|ts file](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/api-reference/file-conventions/route) inside the app directory. Here is an example:

// app/items/route.ts

import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'

export async function GET() {
  const res = await fetch('https://data.mongodb-api.com/...', {
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'API-Key': process.env.DATA_API_KEY,
    },
  })
  const data = await res.json()

  return NextResponse.json({ data })
}

// POST Request 
export async function POST() {
  const res = await fetch('https://data.mongodb-api.com/...', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'API-Key': process.env.DATA_API_KEY,
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({ time: new Date().toISOString() }),
  })

  const data = await res.json()

  return NextResponse.json(data)
}

Use multiple data rendering mode

Data fetching and rendering data on the webpage is a core part of any application. This page goes through how you can fetch, cache, and revalidate data in React and Next.js.

There are four ways you can fetch data:

1. On the server, with [fetch](<https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/data-fetching/fetching-caching-and-revalidating#fetching-data-on-the-server-with-fetch>)
2. On the server, with third-party libraries
3. On the client, via a Route Handler
4. On the client, with third-party libraries.

Fetching Data on the Server with fetch

Next.js extends the native fetch Web API to allow you to configure the caching and revalidating behavior for each fetch request on the server. React extends fetch to automatically memoize fetch requests while rendering a React component tree.

You can use fetch with async/await in Server Components, in Route Handlers, and in Server Actions.

async function getData() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/...')
  // The return value is *not* serialized
  // You can return Date, Map, Set, etc.

  if (!res.ok) {
    // This will activate the closest `error.js` Error Boundary
    throw new Error('Failed to fetch data')
  }

  return res.json()
}

export default async function Page() {
  const data = await getData()

  return <main></main>
}

Revalidating Data

Revalidation is the process of purging the Data Cache and re-fetching the latest data. This is useful when your data changes and you want to ensure you show the latest information.

fetch('https://...', { next: { revalidate: 3600 } })

Alternatively, to revalidate all fetch requests in a route segment, you can use the Segment Config Options.

export const revalidate = 3600 // revalidate at most every hour


Fetching data on the Server with third-party libraries

If you’re using a third-party library that doesn’t support or expose fetch (for example, a database, CMS, or ORM client), you can configure the caching and revalidating behavior of those requests using the Route Segment Config Option and React’s cache function.

import { cache } from 'react'

export const revalidate = 3600 // revalidate the data at most every hour

export const getItem = cache(async (id: string) => {
  const item = await db.item.findUnique({ id })
  return item
})

Fetching Data on the Client with Route Handlers

If you need to fetch data in a client component, you can call a Route Handler from the client. Route Handlers execute on the server and return the data to the client. This is useful when you don’t want to expose sensitive information to the client, such as API tokens.

Route Handlers allow you to create custom request handlers for a given route using the Web Request and Response APIs.

// app/data/route.ts

import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'

export async function GET() {
  const res = await fetch('https://data.mongodb-api.com/...', {
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'API-Key': process.env.DATA_API_KEY,
    },
  })
  const data = await res.json()

  return NextResponse.json({ data })
}

Fetching Data on the Client with third-party libraries

You can also fetch data on the client using a third-party library such as SWR or React Query. These libraries provide their own APIs for memoizing requests, caching, revalidating, and mutating data. Here is an example of SWR request:

import useSWR from 'swr'

function Profile() {
  const { data, error, isLoading } = useSWR('/api/user', fetcher)

  if (error) return <div>failed to load</div>
  if (isLoading) return <div>loading...</div>
  return <div>hello {data.name}!</div>
}

TypeScript Support

One of the best practices when working with Next.js projects is to leverage TypeScript for enhanced development experience and improved code quality. TypeScript is a statically-typed superset of JavaScript that adds type annotations to the language. It provides several benefits that make it a best practice for Next.js projects.

Type Safety

TypeScript introduces static typing, allowing developers to catch errors during development rather than at runtime. By specifying types for variables, function parameters, and return values, TypeScript helps identify potential bugs and provides better code completion and refactoring tools. This reduces the likelihood of runtime errors, leading to more reliable and maintainable code.

// Example: TypeScript Type Annotation
function greet(name: string): string {
  return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}

Better Tooling and IntelliSense

TypeScript integrates well with modern development tools and IDEs such as Visual Studio Code. These tools provide powerful features like IntelliSense, autocompletion, and code navigation, making it easier to write, refactor, and maintain code. TypeScript’s type system enables tools to provide accurate suggestions and catch potential errors, resulting in a more productive development experience.

Improved Collaboration

In a collaborative project, TypeScript can greatly enhance the development process. With type annotations, developers can understand the structure and expected behavior of functions and objects without having to dive into the implementation details. This improves communication between team members and reduces the chances of misinterpreting code.

Ecosystem and Community Support

TypeScript has gained significant popularity and has a thriving ecosystem and community. Many popular libraries and frameworks have official TypeScript support, including Next.js. This means that when using TypeScript in Next.js projects, you can take advantage of type definitions and improved interoperability with these libraries. Additionally, the TypeScript community provides helpful resources, tutorials, and support, making it easier to learn and troubleshoot. If you want to learn best tools for react ecosystem. I’ll suggest reading our blog that we’ve published on React ecosystem.

Enhance SEO in Next.js

To enhance SEO in a Next.js app, one effective approach is to use the [next-seo](<https://www.npmjs.com/package/next-seo>) package. This package provides a set of components and utilities that make it easy to add meta tags, structured data, and other SEO-related elements to your Next.js application.

To implement meta tags using [next-seo](<https://www.npmjs.com/package/next-seo>), you can make use of the NextSeo component provided by the package. This component allows you to define meta tags such as the title, description, and canonical URL for each page of your application.

Here’s an example of how you can implement meta tags using [next-seo](<https://www.npmjs.com/package/next-seo>):

import { NextSeo } from 'next-seo';

function MyPage() {
  return (
    <>
      <NextSeo
        title="My Page"
        description="This is my awesome page"
        canonical="https://www.example.com/my-page"
      />
      {/* Rest of your page content */}
    </>
  );
}

export default MyPage;

By implementing these SEO techniques, the visibility of your Next.js app in search engine results can be improved, attracting more organic traffic and improving the overall discoverability of your application.

Benefits of better SEO

Remove unused dependencies & Code

The act of removing unused dependencies and files within a software project holds substantial importance for a variety of reasons.

It significantly impacts the efficiency and performance of the application. Unused dependencies and files can bloat the application’s package size, thereby slowing down its loading times. By eliminating these extraneous elements, the codebase becomes more streamlined, resulting in quicker load times and enhanced overall performance.

Unused dependencies consume storage space within the project’s structure, and while this might seem negligible in smaller projects, it can accumulate and pose challenges in larger endeavors. Effective resource management is essential for maintaining a well-organized and clutter-free codebase.

Security also comes into play. Each dependency introduced into a project carries potential security risks. By removing unused dependencies, the attack surface is reduced, minimizing vulnerabilities and enhancing the application’s overall security posture.

Use the [depcheck](<https://www.npmjs.com/package/depcheck>)package to find unused dependencies in your project (this package is included with npm). and use [unimported](<https://www.npmjs.com/package/unimported>) to remove all the unimported files.

Deploy your Next.js App to Vercel

Deploying your Next.js app to Vercel is a seamless and efficient way to bring your website or application to life. Vercel, a cloud platform for static sites and serverless functions, is the perfect choice for hosting your Next.js projects. Here are a few reasons why deploying to Vercel is a great option.

Easy Deployment Process

It provides a simple and intuitive deployment process for Next.js apps. With just a few clicks, you can deploy your app and have it up and running in no time. Vercel automatically handles the build and deployment process, so you can focus on developing your app without worrying about complex deployment configurations.

Automatic Scaling

Its infrastructure is designed to scale your app effortlessly. Whether you have a small personal blog or a high-traffic e-commerce website, it can handle the load. With automatic scaling, your app will be able to handle increased traffic without any performance issues.

Global Network

It has a global network of edge servers that ensure fast and reliable content delivery to users worldwide. This means that your app will load quickly regardless of the user’s geographical location. With Vercel, you can provide a smooth and optimized user experience to your visitors.

Serverless Functions

It also supports serverless functions, allowing you to build and deploy serverless APIs alongside your Next.js app. This enables you to create dynamic and interactive features without the need for a separate backend infrastructure.

Custom Domains and SSL

It makes it easy to connect your custom domain to your Next.js app. You can easily configure your domain settings and enable SSL certificates for secure communication. This gives your app a professional and polished look while ensuring the privacy and security of your users.

Real-time Collaboration

Vercel provides a collaborative environment where you can work with your team members on the same project. You can easily share preview URLs and collaborate on code changes, making it a breeze to iterate and ship your app faster.

Overall, deploying your Next.js app to Vercel offers a range of benefits, including an easy deployment process, automatic scaling, global network, serverless functions, custom domains, SSL support, and real-time collaboration. With Vercel, you can focus on building your app while enjoying the power and flexibility of a reliable hosting platform.

Wrapping up

In closing, let’s celebrate the incredible journey we’ve had delving into the world of Next.js through this article. It’s very clear that Next.js isn’t just a framework; it’s a game-changer that empowers developers to create stunning web applications with unparalleled ease and efficiency.

From the magic of server-side rendering that elevates performance to the seamless client-side navigation that keeps users engaged, Next.js has proven its mettle time and time again. The way it effortlessly handles dynamic data fetching is nothing short of impressive. It’s a developer’s dream come true, making the complex appear simple and daunting, inviting.

Have you dived into the world of Next.js? What were your experiences? Share your thoughts, triumphs, and even the challenges you faced in the comments below. Let’s spark a conversation and build a community of Next.js enthusiasts who know the true potential of this remarkable framework.