Static Site Generation (SSG)

Static Site Generation is a rendering method where the HTML pages are generated at build time and served as static files. This means that the content is pre-rendered and can be cached, resulting in faster page loads. SSG is great for websites with content that doesn't change frequently or needs to be indexed by search engines.

Example SSG code in Next.js:

import { getStaticProps } from 'next';

export default function Home({ data }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to my SSG website!</h1>
      <p>{data}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

export async function getStaticProps() {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();

  return {
    props: {
      data,
    },
  };
}

In the above example, the getStaticProps function fetches data at build time and passes it as props to the component. The generated HTML is then served as a static file, resulting in efficient rendering.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Server-Side Rendering is a rendering method where the HTML pages are generated on each request. This means that the content is rendered on the server and sent to the client upon request. SSR is useful for pages that require frequent data updates or personalized content.

Example SSR code in Next.js:

import { getServerSideProps } from 'next';

export default function Home({ data }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to my SSR website!</h1>
      <p>{data}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

export async function getServerSideProps() {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();

  return {
    props: {
      data,
    },
  };
}

In the above example, the getServerSideProps function fetches data upon each request and passes it as props to the component. This allows for dynamic rendering and real-time data updates.

Choosing the Right Method

Now that you understand the differences between SSG and SSR, how do you choose the right rendering method for your project? Here are a few considerations:

• Frequent Updates: If your content needs to be updated frequently, SSR might be the better choice as it provides real-time data updates.

• SEO Optimization: If you require better SEO optimization and want your pages to be indexed by search engines, SSG is a good option as the pages are pre-rendered and can be easily crawled.

• Performance: If performance is a top priority and you have content that doesn't change frequently, SSG is more efficient as it generates static files that can be cached.

• Dynamic Content: If your pages require personalized or user-specific data, SSR allows for dynamic rendering upon each request.

Consider the specific needs of your project and weigh the trade-offs between speed, flexibility, and real-time updates to make an informed decision.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we compared SSG and SSR in Next.js to help you choose the right rendering method for your project. Static Site Generation (SSG) is great for faster page loads, improved SEO, and content that doesn't change frequently. Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is ideal for real-time data updates and personalized content.

Remember to consider factors like frequent updates, SEO optimization, performance, and dynamic content when making your decision. Both SSG and SSR have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your project requirements.