When building a website with Next.js, one of the key decisions you'll make is how to handle page rendering. Two popular options are Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR). In this post, I'll explain why I prefer ISR over SSR for my Next.js project.
Server-Side Rendering is a technique where the server generates HTML pages on every request. This approach has several benefits, including improved SEO, faster page loads, and better support for dynamic content. However, SSR can become cumbersome when dealing with large-scale websites or applications that require frequent updates.
Incremental Static Regeneration is a feature introduced by Next.js that allows you to use static generation on a per-page basis. With ISR, you can retain the benefits of static while scaling to millions of pages. This approach is particularly useful for websites with high traffic or dynamic content that requires frequent updates.
So, why do I prefer ISR over SSR? Here are some reasons:
While both SSR and ISR have their benefits, I believe that Incremental Static Regeneration is the better choice for my Next.js project. With its scalability, flexibility, and ease of maintenance, ISR allows me to build a high-performance website without sacrificing functionality or SEO benefits.