The React Framework for Production
Next.js is a powerful React framework developed by Vercel that enables functionality such as server-side rendering and generating static websites. It provides a complete solution for building production-ready React applications with optimal performance out of the box. Next.js abstracts away complex configurations and provides smart defaults, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than configuring build tools. It has become the go-to choice for React applications that need SEO, performance, and great developer experience.
Next.js is a React-based framework created by Vercel that makes it easy to build fast, user-friendly web applications. While React is a library for building user interfaces, Next.js extends React with powerful features like server-side rendering, static site generation, API routes, and more - all with minimal configuration.
Released in 2016, Next.js has grown to become one of the most popular React frameworks, trusted by companies like TikTok, Nike, Uber, and thousands more. It solves many common challenges in React development, particularly around SEO, performance, routing, and deployment.
Support for SSR (Server-Side Rendering), SSG (Static Site Generation), and ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration) in the same application, giving you maximum flexibility for each page.
Automatic routing based on file structure in the pages or app directory - no configuration needed, just create files and folders to define your application routes.
Build API endpoints within the Next.js application using serverless functions, enabling full-stack development without a separate backend server.
Automatic image optimization, lazy loading, modern formats (WebP, AVIF), responsive images, and blur placeholders with the next/image component.
Automatic code splitting for faster page loads - only load JavaScript needed for the current page, reducing initial bundle size significantly.
Zero-configuration TypeScript support with automatic type checking, IntelliSense, and type inference for better developer experience.
Instant feedback on edits with hot module replacement that preserves component state during development, making the development experience incredibly smooth.
Deploy functions to edge locations worldwide for ultra-low latency. Use middleware for authentication, redirects, and request manipulation.
Pages rendered on each request on the server
Pages pre-rendered at build time
Static pages that update in the background
Pages rendered in the browser like traditional React
Server-side rendering and static generation deliver fully-rendered HTML to search engine crawlers, dramatically improving search rankings and discoverability.
Optimized for speed with automatic code splitting, prefetching, image optimization, and smart bundling resulting in blazing-fast load times.
Works out of the box with sensible defaults - no webpack or babel configuration needed. Start building immediately without setup hassles.
Seamless one-click deployment on Vercel platform with automatic SSL, global CDN, preview deployments, and edge functions built-in.
Excellent DX with fast refresh, TypeScript support, great error handling, clear documentation, and intuitive API design.
Battle-tested by major companies handling millions of users in production environments. Enterprise-grade reliability and performance.
Build both frontend and backend in one framework with API routes, serverless functions, and database integrations.
Mix different rendering strategies (SSR, SSG, CSR, ISR) in the same application based on specific page requirements for optimal performance.
Build SEO-friendly marketing sites and conversion-optimized landing pages with excellent Core Web Vitals scores, fast load times, and perfect Lighthouse scores.
Create fast, SEO-optimized online shopping platforms with product pages, dynamic pricing, cart functionality, and seamless checkout experiences.
Develop content-heavy sites with excellent performance, SEO optimization, and great authoring experience using headless CMS solutions.
Build full-stack SaaS products with authentication, API routes, database connections, payment processing, and complex business logic.
Create fast, searchable documentation websites with excellent navigation, code highlighting, and interactive examples for developer tools.
Develop professional business websites with dynamic content, contact forms, career pages, and integration with enterprise systems.
Build data visualization and management interfaces with real-time data updates, charts, tables, and complex state management.
Create applications that serve multiple customers with isolated data, custom domains, white-labeling, and tenant-specific configurations.
// Server Component (runs on server by default)
async function getProducts() {
const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/products');
return res.json();
}
export default async function ProductsPage() {
const products = await getProducts();
return (
<div className="container mx-auto">
<h1 className="text-4xl font-bold mb-8">
Our Products
</h1>
<div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-6">
{products.map(product => (
<div key={product.id} className="card">
<h2>{product.name}</h2>
<p>${product.price}</p>
</div>
))}
</div>
</div>
);
}Latest routing system with React Server Components
Zero-bundle components that run on the server
Call server functions from client components
Stream UI from server as it's generated
Render multiple pages in the same layout
Intercept routes for modals and overlays
Next.js powers some of the world's most popular and high-traffic websites and applications. These companies chose Next.js for its performance, SEO capabilities, and developer experience.
TikTok: Uses Next.js for their web platform serving millions of users
Nike: Built their e-commerce platform with Next.js for optimal performance
Notion: Powers their marketing site and docs with Next.js
Make sure you have Node.js 18.17 or later installed on your system.
node --versionUse create-next-app to set up a new Next.js project instantly.
npx create-next-app@latestNavigate to your project and start the development server.
npm run devDefault to Server Components and only use Client Components when needed
Always use next/image component for automatic optimization
Use metadata API for proper SEO optimization on every page
Take advantage of built-in TypeScript support for type safety
Select appropriate rendering strategy (SSR, SSG, ISR) per page
Use next/font for automatic font optimization and self-hosting
Use Vercel Analytics or Lighthouse for performance monitoring
Deploy to Vercel for optimal performance and zero configuration