next js build collecting page data

3 min read 20-10-2024

Next.js Build: Collecting Page Data the Smart Way

Next.js is renowned for its performance and SEO-friendliness. One of its key features is the ability to pre-render pages during the build process, resulting in blazing-fast initial load times. But what about dynamic content? How can you collect data and inject it into your pages during the build process?

This article dives into the powerful ways Next.js handles data collection during the build, offering insights from experienced developers on GitHub. We'll examine different strategies, compare their benefits and limitations, and equip you with the knowledge to choose the right approach for your project.

The Power of Static Site Generation (SSG)

Next.js's SSG is a potent tool. It pre-renders your pages at build time, serving fully rendered HTML to users, drastically improving performance. This approach is ideal for content that doesn't change frequently, such as blog posts or static product pages.

Example:

// pages/blog/[slug].js
export async function getStaticProps({ params }) {
  const { slug } = params;
  const data = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/blog/${slug}`).then(res => res.json());
  return {
    props: {
      post: data,
    },
  };
}

export default function BlogPost({ post }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>{post.title}</h1>
      <p>{post.content}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

Source: Next.js documentation

In this example, Next.js fetches blog post data from an API during the build process and passes it as props to the BlogPost component. This guarantees the page is fully rendered and ready for instant delivery when the user visits it.

Handling Dynamic Data: Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

While SSG excels for static content, dynamic content often requires server-side rendering (SSR). Next.js allows you to dynamically render pages on the server, retrieving data at request time. This is perfect for pages that need personalized content or data that changes frequently.

Example:

// pages/products/[id].js
export async function getServerSideProps({ params }) {
  const { id } = params;
  const data = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/products/${id}`).then(res => res.json());
  return {
    props: {
      product: data,
    },
  };
}

export default function Product({ product }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h2>{product.name}</h2>
      <p>${product.description}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

Source: Next.js documentation

Here, Next.js fetches product data for the requested product ID from the API whenever a user navigates to the product page.

Key Considerations:

Data Refresh Frequency: For rarely changing content, SSG is generally preferred for its efficiency. Dynamic data that frequently updates is better suited for SSR.
SEO: Both SSG and SSR provide excellent SEO. However, SSG excels in performance by pre-rendering pages, making them more crawler-friendly.
Scalability: SSR can become resource-intensive under high traffic. Consider optimizing your API calls or leveraging caching strategies for improved performance.

Choosing the Right Approach:

Static Content: Opt for SSG for content that seldom changes. This offers optimal performance and SEO benefits.
Dynamic Content: Utilize SSR to handle dynamic content that needs to be fetched on request.
Hybrid Approach: Combine SSG and SSR for a balanced solution. For instance, use SSG for the majority of your content and SSR for specific sections that require dynamic data.

The Power of Next.js Data Fetching:

Next.js provides a powerful framework for data fetching during the build process. By understanding the nuances of SSG and SSR, you can create highly performant and SEO-friendly websites that adapt to your content needs. Whether you are building a blog, e-commerce store, or complex application, Next.js empowers you to manage data collection and deliver an exceptional user experience.

Important Note: This article uses simplified code examples for illustrative purposes. Remember to implement robust error handling, security measures, and appropriate data caching strategies in your actual projects.

next js build collecting page data