[Next.js] When to Use SSR, SSG, and CSR - Ideal Use Cases Explored

Next.js stands at the forefront of contemporary web development frameworks, offering a diverse range of rendering methodologies. An in-depth exploration of these rendering techniques was covered in [Next.js] SSR vs. CSR vs. SSG: Understanding Web Rendering Techniques. Each approach has its distinct features and advantages, allowing them to be optimally leveraged depending on a web application's goals and requirements. In this article, we will delve into the primary rendering methods provided by Next.js and explore the situations where they shine the brightest.

Websites Best Suited for Server Side Rendering (SSR)

SSR involves rendering pages on the server and then serving them to the client. It is especially beneficial for e-commerce platforms demanding real-time data reflection, news portals requiring immediate updates, and vibrant online community forums where dynamic interactions are the norm.

1. E-Commerce Platforms

E-commerce platforms serve as online marketplaces for a plethora of goods and services. They constantly update dynamic data such as pricing, stock levels, and user reviews. SSR, due to its real-time rendering capabilities on the server, is effective in reflecting these volatile updates. Vital pages like product displays or search results stand to benefit significantly from SSR, ensuring that they showcase the most recent data accurately.

2. News Portals

News portals curate a constantly updated stream of the latest news, articles, and interviews. For delivering this real-time information swiftly to the users, SSR emerges as the ideal choice. Moreover, given the criticality of SEO for news websites, employing SSR can aid search engines in efficiently crawling and indexing the content.

3. Online Community Forums

Community forums serve as melting pots for users to share opinions on diverse topics. The dynamic nature of user queries, responses, comments, and more makes SSR a fitting choice for ensuring real-time updates.

Why Choose Server Side Rendering (SSR)?

• Real-Time Data Reflection: With SSR, servers can promptly fetch and present the latest data to users, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination.
• SEO Enhancement: As SSR fully renders web page content on the server, search engine crawlers can easily recognize and index it, potentially boosting the website's ranking.
• Optimal Initial Loading: SSR loads all requisite content for the initial page in a single instance, offering users a swift page response time.
• Data Integrity: By processing and rendering data directly on the server, the risk of data manipulation or tampering on the client side is minimized.
• Cross-Browser Consistency: Web pages rendered on the server are more likely to maintain a consistent appearance across various browsers and versions.

Websites Best Suited for Static Site Generation (SSG)

SSG revolves around pre-generating static files for delivery, making it suitable for portfolio sites, blogs, corporate websites, and documentation platforms that don’t frequently update. In environments that prioritize swift loading and stability, the benefits of SSG become particularly pronounced.

1. Portfolio Websites

Portfolio sites act as showcases for professionals like artists, designers, or developers. Given that the primary objective is to visually demonstrate their prowess and past accomplishments, the advantages of rapid-loading static pages outweigh dynamic elements.

2. Personal Blogs

Blogs serve as outlets for individuals or organizations to post about varied topics. Predominantly content-driven, if dynamic interactions like comments or likes aren't a core focus, SSG proves to be extremely efficient. However, one might need to rebuild the site each time a new post is published, which is a trade-off to consider.

3. Corporate Websites

Corporate websites aim to elucidate a company's mission, vision, and offerings. Given that this information seldom undergoes changes, presenting it through a stable SSG framework seems apt.

4. Documentation Repositories

For sites documenting APIs or developer guidelines, the content, once penned, usually remains static. Thus, SSG allows for swift content delivery to readers.

Why Embrace Static Site Generation (SSG)?

• Swift Loading Speed: Pre-generating all pages ensures immediate availability upon user requests, significantly reducing loading times.
• Stability: Static sites virtually eliminate server strain, reducing the risk of downtimes, even during traffic surges.
• Enhanced Security: Delivering only static files diminishes vulnerabilities like database queries or server-side scripting, thereby reducing hacking threats.
• Ease of Hosting: Providing solely static files simplifies deployment across various hosting environments and streamlines maintenance.
• Version Control: Using SSG tools, one can effortlessly manage different versions of the website. Should any issues arise, reverting to a previous version is straightforward.

Websites Best Suited for Client Side Rendering (CSR)

Client Side Rendering (CSR) directly renders pages on the client-side. This method is especially suitable for Single Page Applications (SPAs), web-based games, interactive web applications, and dashboards that require swift user interactions.

1. Single Page Applications (SPA)

A Single Page Application (SPA) updates only the necessary content on the current page without needing to reload the entire page, ensuring seamless user interaction. By employing CSR, SPAs avoid making new page requests to the server with every page transition, offering a swift user experience. Moreover, SPAs benefit from efficient maintenance and development due to the clear separation between the frontend and backend.

2. Web-based Games

Web-based games allow users to play from anywhere as long as they have a browser. Utilizing CSR enables rapid rendering on the client side without persistent server communication, optimizing the gaming environment. This significantly contributes to real-time in-game interactions and swift screen transitions.

3. Interactive Web Applications

Interactive web applications consistently alter content based on user actions and choices. CSR efficiently showcases immediate results from user interactions in these applications. Examples include data visualization tools and websites with real-time chat capabilities.

4. Web Application Dashboards

Dashboards in web applications present a visual interface offering diverse information to administrators or users. Given their need for real-time data updates and dynamic widget loading, CSR is aptly suited. Using CSR, data updates quickly, and interactions with users are handled effectively.

Why Use Client Side Rendering (CSR)?

• Swift Interactions: Once the initial page loads, the website's response feels prompt as user interactions are processed on the client side.
• Reduced Server Load: With all rendering happening on the client side, the server experiences reduced load, allowing it to focus primarily on backend tasks like data processing.
• Flexible User Experience: CSR facilitates easy implementation of various animations and transitions, ensuring users enjoy a smooth experience.
• Development Efficiency: Particularly in SPAs, CSR is commonly used. Leveraging JavaScript frameworks and libraries that support CSR can enhance development speed and efficiency.
• Resource Optimization: By loading only essential components and data, network and client resources are optimized.

Core Advantages of SSR, SSG, and CSR Methods

Through Next.js, developers can select the most suitable rendering method based on the unique attributes and requirements of their web applications. Choosing the right rendering technique plays a pivotal role in enhancing user experience and optimizing application performance. A deep understanding of Next.js's rendering methodologies and their thoughtful application according to specific situations will undoubtedly benefit successful web development.