Understanding the Differences: Server Side Rendering (SSR) vs Static Site Generation (SSG) in Next.js

Introduction

Next.js has rapidly become one of the most popular React frameworks, offering developers various ways to render applications. Among these, Server Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG) stand out for their distinct approaches and benefits. This article aims to demystify these two methods, providing a clear understanding of how they work, their differences, and when to use each one.

On the left, you’ll see a server room symbolizing the dynamic nature of SSR, and on the right, a calm library representing the pre-built static content of SSG.

What is Server Side Rendering (SSR)?

Server Side Rendering refers to the process of rendering web pages on the server instead of the client’s browser. In Next.js, SSR enables dynamic content rendering, ensuring each user request receives a unique, up-to-date HTML page. This is particularly beneficial for content-rich applications and situations where real-time data is crucial.

What is Static Site Generation (SSG)?

Static Site Generation is a method where HTML pages are pre-rendered at build time. Next.js supports SSG through methods like getStaticProps and getStaticPaths. This approach is ideal for sites with content that doesn't change often, leading to faster load times and better performance.

Comparing SSR and SSG in Next.js

While SSR dynamically generates content per request, SSG serves pre-built pages, making it generally faster. However, SSR’s real-time rendering is more suitable for frequently updated content. SEO-wise, both methods are effective, but SSG can have an edge due to faster load times. Scalability also differs: SSG sites are easier to scale due to their static nature.

Best Practices and Recommendations

When implementing SSR or SSG in Next.js, consider the nature of your content and user experience. SSR is ideal for dynamic, user-specific content, while SSG suits static websites like blogs or documentation sites. Avoid common pitfalls such as over-fetching data in SSR or under-utilizing static optimizations in SSG.

Conclusion

SSR and SSG in Next.js offer flexible solutions for different web development needs. Understanding their differences and use cases is key to leveraging their full potential. Experiment with both to discover which best suits your project’s requirements.

References

Include references to official Next.js documentation, and other credible sources.