Why We Chose Next.js: A Developer’s Perspective

When Bindbee set out to build a frontend that could support the dynamic needs of HR software integrations, we needed a framework that excelled in performance, security, and scalability.

For our team, this meant choosing a framework that strike the right line of balance between performance, scalability, and maintainability.

Next.js - a robust React-based framework that delivers on all fronts.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through why Next.js stands out, especially for developers tackling frontend-heavy applications.

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What Sets Next.js Apart?

Next.js is not just another React-based framework; it builds on the strengths of React while addressing some of the inherent challenges.

The key features that set Next.js apart are:

• Full-Stack Capabilities: While React is focused on the frontend, Next.js offers full-stack capabilities, allowing you to handle backend logic, API routes, and static site generation all in one framework.
• Optimized Performance: With server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG) built-in, Next.js enhances load times, especially for dynamic, data-heavy applications.
• Developer Experience: Next.js comes with built-in TypeScript support, automatic code splitting, and image optimization, offering a smoother developer experience without the need for extensive configuration.

Next.js delivers a superior end-user experience and on top of that, if you prioritize performance and flexibility, Next.js is the most compelling and practical choice out there.

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Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG): Resolving Performance Issues

Traditional single-page applications (SPAs) is often faced with slow initial load times and poor SEO performance due to client-side rendering.

Next.js addresses these pain points by providing both SSR and SSG.

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SSR for Dynamic Content

SSR allows pages to be rendered on the server and sent to the client with fully rendered HTML.

This reduces the Time to First Byte (TTFB) and ensures that search engines can index content properly, improving your SEO performance.

• Use Case: Imagine a user dashboard where personalized data is constantly changing. With SSR, the content is fetched and rendered on the server, allowing users to see up-to-date information immediately upon loading the page.
• Developer Tip: Opt for SSR when building pages that rely on frequently changing data, such as e-commerce checkouts, user dashboards, or real-time content feeds.

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SSG for Static Content

Static Site Generation pre-renders pages at build time, making them available as static files.

These files are served directly from a CDN, which results in fast load times regardless of user location.

• Use Case: For marketing landing pages or blog posts where content rarely changes, SSG ensures that pages load quickly with minimal server resources.
• Developer Tip: Leverage SSG for pages that are static or require infrequent updates. This ensures that you deliver high performance without taxing your server.

By balancing out between SSR and SSG, Next.js provides flexibility to handle different content types without sacrificing performance or scalability.

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Automatic Code Splitting for Web Performance

One common pitfall of traditional React applications is large JavaScript bundles that negatively affect load times, especially on mobile devices.

Next.js automatically handles code splitting, breaking down your JavaScript into smaller chunks.

This means that only the necessary code for the initial page is loaded, improving performance dramatically.

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Why Code Splitting Matters

• Faster Initial Loads: Smaller JavaScript bundles reduce load times, especially on the first visit to your site.
• Better Mobile Performance: With the increase in mobile web traffic, ensuring your app performs well on lower-end devices is crucial.
• Reduced Bandwidth Usage: Loading only what’s necessary minimizes bandwidth usage, which is especially important for global applications serving diverse user bases.

Developer Tip: While Next.js handles code splitting automatically, keep an eye on your application’s performance using tools like Web Vitals and Lighthouse to ensure optimal load times.

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Image Optimization: A Built-In Feature Developers Will Love

Images are a critical part of most web applications, but they often pose performance challenges.

Unoptimized images can significantly slow down page load times and negatively affect Core Web Vitals metrics. Next.js addresses this with a built-in Image component that automates image optimization.

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How the Next.js Image Component Improves Performance

• Automatic Resizing and Compression: Next.js automatically adjusts image size based on the device and viewport, ensuring that images load quickly without sacrificing quality.
• Lazy Loading: Images are lazy-loaded by default, meaning they won’t load until they’re in the user’s viewport, improving initial load times.
• WebP Support: Next.js can automatically serve images in modern formats like WebP, which are smaller and more efficient than traditional formats like JPEG or PNG.

Developer Tip: The Next.js Image component is an easy win for improving your website’s performance metrics. Integrating it into your existing codebase is straightforward, and the benefits in terms of page speed are immediate.

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Built-In Security

Security is often a secondary concern in web development, but Next.js has several features that help developers build more secure applications from the ground up.

How Next.js Improves Security

• Minimized Client-Side Exposure: By reducing the amount of client-side JavaScript through SSR, Next.js decreases the attack surface for potential vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS).
• Content Security Policies (CSPs): Next.js makes it easy to implement and enforce CSPs, which prevent unauthorized code execution.
• Custom Headers: Developers can easily add security-related headers, like X-Content-Type-Options, X-Frame-Options, and Strict-Transport-Security to their applications, protecting against common web vulnerabilities.

Developer Tip: Don’t wait until the end of your project to think about security. Implement security best practices from the beginning using Next.js’s built-in features.

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Reducing Friction in the Development Workflow

One of the standout reasons developers love Next.js is the emphasis on developer experience.

Next.js is designed to reduce friction and increase productivity from the very start of a project.

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App Directory Routing

Next.js now offers two routing approaches: file-based pages and app directory routing.

At Bindbee, we utilize app directory routing for its advanced capabilities and flexibility. This system allows us to structure routes using a dedicated app directory, making it easier to manage complex routing scenarios and improve overall organization.

• Use Case: App directory routing is particularly useful for applications with intricate page hierarchies or those that need more dynamic route management. It provides greater control and modularity compared to the traditional file-based system.
• Developer Tip: Leverage app directory routing to streamline the management of nested routes and layouts. This approach enhances scalability and simplifies the process of integrating dynamic content across various parts of your application.

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Built-In TypeScript Support

Next.js offers out-of-the-box TypeScript support, making it easier to write safer, more maintainable code without having to configure TypeScript manually.

• Use Case: Large applications can quickly become difficult to maintain, especially when multiple developers are involved. TypeScript helps catch errors early and ensures that your codebase remains stable as it scales.
• Developer Tip: Even if you’re new to TypeScript, the built-in support in Next.js makes it easy to integrate gradually into your project without overwhelming your team.

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Built-In TypeScript Support

Next.js offers out-of-the-box TypeScript support, making it easier to write safer, more maintainable code without having to configure TypeScript manually.

• Use Case: Large applications can quickly become difficult to maintain, especially when multiple developers are involved. TypeScript helps catch errors early and ensures that your codebase remains stable as it scales.
• Developer Tip: Even if you’re new to TypeScript, the built-in support in Next.js makes it easy to integrate gradually into your project without overwhelming your team.

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Real-World Example: Building a Scalable SaaS Platform with Next.js

Let’s explore a real-world use case of building a SaaS platform using Next.js. Consider a platform with two types of pages: static marketing pages and dynamic user dashboards.

1. Marketing Pages (SSG): These pages don’t change often, but they need to load quickly and rank well on search engines. By using SSG, Next.js pre-renders these pages at build time, ensuring fast global load times and better SEO.
2. User Dashboards (SSR): For personalized content that changes frequently, SSR ensures that users receive up-to-date data. By pre-rendering the HTML on the server, Next.js guarantees fast, personalized experiences without compromising performance.
3. Scaling Globally: Whether you’re serving 10 or 10 million users, Next.js’s built-in optimizations, like automatic code splitting and static content distribution via CDNs, make it easy to scale.

Developer Tip: By strategically combining SSR and SSG, you can build a platform that performs well, regardless of the number of users or content complexity.

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Why Next.js Is the Future for Developers

Next.js provides an exceptional combination of performance, scalability, and developer-friendly features. These attributes enable developers to build dynamic, high-performance applications at ease.

However, technology alone isn't enough; effective implementation is key.

At Bindbee, we've recognized the need to integrate top-tier tech with practical solutions.

That’s why we’ve chosen Next.js for our frontend development. By harnessing its capabilities, we've significantly improved our platform for performance and security, offering the best of integrations for HR tech businesses.

If you’re dealing with the challenges of HR software integrations and need a solution that adapts and scales with your requirements, Bindbee’s Unified API is just the right call.

Discover first hand how to streamline data connectivity with Bindbee.

Skip the wait - Book a Demo today.