Why Next js emerged despite React’s presence 🤔

 As a developer, I’ve spent countless hours coding with React, building UIs, and constantly searching for the next tool that could make my life easier. So when Next js entered the scene, I was like, “Wait, do I really need another thing to learn?” 🤔 But after diving into it, I realized it wasn’t just “another thing.” Let me share my experience of transitioning from React to Next.js, why it happened, and why it felt like a huge upgrade! 

 

React vs Next js

                

 1. React: My First Love, But Not Without Its Flaws

When I first started with React, it was like falling in love for the first time. 💙 React’s component-based structure, hooks, and state management were so refreshing compared to the old way of coding. I could create interactive UIs in no time!

But as I built more complex projects, I started running into problems:

• Routing Woes 🛣️: React doesn’t come with routing, so I had to bring in a separate library like React Router. It was like assembling IKEA furniture without the manual — possible, but why so difficult?! 😅
• Server-Side Rendering (SSR) Headache 🤯: When I wanted my app to be SEO-friendly, I had to jump through hoops. React’s client-side rendering meant search engines didn’t see my content. Hello, low rankings! 📉

I spent so much time stitching together different libraries to make everything work. It felt like a messy puzzle. There had to be a better way, right?

2. Next.js: The Superhero React Needed

Then, I discovered Next.js. It was like React’s cooler, more efficient sibling. 😎 Built on top of React, Next.js offered everything I needed without all the extra configuration. Let me break down how it solved my React struggles:

• File-based Routing 📂: No more installing libraries! With Next.js, I just create a file in the pages folder, and boom, it’s automatically a route. Simple, right? It felt like magic. ✨
• SSR and Static Site Generation (SSG) 🚀: Want SEO-friendly pages? Next.js lets you choose between rendering content at request time (SSR) or building it in advance (SSG). I was like, “Where was this when I struggled with SEO for months?” 🥲

It was a total game-changer. No more endless configs or random errors popping up in my terminal. It was like finding the missing piece in the React puzzle. 🧩

3. SEO and Performance: The Secret Weapon of Next.js

Let’s face it: as a developer, you want your app to perform well, not only for users but also for search engines. I’ve built plenty of React apps where the content loads after the JavaScript runs (client-side rendering), but that’s not great for SEO. And if you’re like me, trying to rank a site that Google can’t see is like shouting into the void. 📢🔇

With Next.js, I could pre-render pages, making them lightning-fast. ⚡ For my blogs and portfolio sites, I used Static Site Generation (SSG) — pages are generated during build time and served instantly when a user visits. It’s like serving food fresh from the kitchen, not microwaving it later! 🍲

For dynamic pages, like e-commerce product pages, Server-Side Rendering (SSR) keeps everything up-to-date and SEO-optimized. Now, when I build apps, I feel like I have a secret weapon. 🎯

4. Developer Experience (DX): From Frustration to Fun!

Next.js improved my developer experience. It felt like going from riding a bike with training wheels to zooming on a skateboard. 🛹 Next JS provides:

• Hot Reloading 🔥: Instant updates without losing my app’s state. It’s like refreshing my app without the annoying lag.
• TypeScript Built-in 📚: Writing type-safe code is easier with built-in TypeScript support. I used to struggle with TypeScript setup in React; with Next.js, it’s ready to go! And yes, no more “I’m not sure what type this is” errors! 😂
• Automatic Code Splitting ✂️: Next.js loads only the JavaScript needed for the current page, meaning no more heavy initial load. My apps load faster, and I look like a genius. 🤓

By removing all the annoying setup steps, Next JS gave me more time to do what I love — actually building features, not wrestling with configs. 💪

5. My Verdict: Next.js Is the Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you’ve been using React for a while, you might feel like, “I’m comfortable, why change?” I felt the same way, but Next JS is like adding a turbo boost to your development. 🏎️

It gives you the flexibility of React with built-in features like routing, SSR, and API routes. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time. And if you know React, learning Next JS is a breeze — it’s like learning an extension of something you already love. 🌈

Conclusion: Embrace the Next.js Evolution

Next.js wasn’t created to compete with React; it’s there to enhance it, giving developers like us a powerful toolkit. It’s like when you upgrade from a regular coffee to a fancy latte — same base but with so many extra flavors. ☕✨

So, if you’re building modern web apps and want the best of both worlds — React’s flexibility and the structure of a complete framework — Next JS is the way to go. Trust me, once you start using it, you won’t look back. 😉

Ready to level up your web development skills? Next JS might just be your new best friend!