Next JS Export and Static Site Generation

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Close-up of a computer screen displaying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a computer screen displaying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code

Next.js allows you to export your application as a static website, which is a great way to improve performance and reduce server costs.

This is done through Static Site Generation (SSG), a feature that pre-renders pages at build time, making them ready to serve to users.

With SSG, your pages are built into static HTML files, which are then served directly by a CDN or web server, eliminating the need for server-side rendering.

This approach is particularly useful for blogs, marketing sites, and other types of websites that don't require user authentication or real-time updates.

Why Export to Static HTML?

Exporting your Next.js app to static HTML can provide several advantages. By serving static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, you eliminate the server-side computing that opens your site to hackers and malware.

Serving static files also delivers web pages much faster than dynamically generated pages. This is because pre-generated web pages are delivered directly to your visitors' browsers without needing computer interaction to assemble and generate them.

Credit: youtube.com, Next.js Tutorial - 60 - Static HTML Export

Static web servers are generally less expensive than dynamic servers. This is especially true when using CDNs to serve static sites, which can reduce hosting costs significantly.

Exporting your Next.js web app as a static site provides offline access and improved resilience for your visitors' web experience. This is because static sites are less prone to server outages and can still run dynamic JavaScript code for updating pages at runtime.

Here are some of the key benefits of exporting your Next.js app to static HTML at a glance:

  • Improved performance due to reduced server-side rendering.
  • Enhanced security since there’s no live backend to exploit.
  • Reduced hosting costs since static sites can be served via CDNs without needing a dynamic server.
  • Better resilience, as static sites are less prone to server outages.

Exporting to Static HTML

Exporting to static HTML can provide several advantages for your Next.js app. This approach can improve performance by reducing server-side rendering.

Serving static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to your visitors' browsers eliminates the server-side computing that opens your site to hackers and malware. This makes your site more secure.

Pre-generated web pages are delivered much faster than dynamically generated pages, which need computer interaction to assemble, generate, and only then serve your pages to your visitors. Static web servers are generally less expensive than dynamic servers.

Credit: youtube.com, How to deploy Next.js js project on cPanel | Next.js Static HTML Export

You can export your Next.js web app as a static site by zipping the contents of the 'out' file with 'index.html' at the root of the zip directory.

Here are some compelling reasons to export Next.js to HTML:

  • Serving static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to your visitors’ browsers eliminates the server-side computing that opens your site to hackers and malware.
  • Pre-generated web pages are delivered much faster than dynamically generated pages, which need computer interaction to assemble, generate, and only then serve your pages to your visitors.
  • Static web servers are generally less expensive than dynamic servers.
  • Exporting your Next.js web app as a static site provides offline access and improved resilience for your visitors’ web experience.
  • Statically generated pages are still reactive. Any dynamic JavaScript code for updating your pages at runtime will still run as usual.

Exporting your Next.js app to static HTML can provide several advantages, including improved performance, enhanced security, reduced hosting costs, and better resilience.

Prisma Static Site Generation

You can use Prisma inside of Next.js's getStaticProps to send queries to your database, enabling static rendering of your page with dynamic data.

Next.js will pass the props to your React components, making it possible to query your database with Prisma in getStaticProps for full rendering flexibility and top performance.

Prisma and Next.js are a powerful combo for React apps, allowing you to query your database in Next.js API routes, in getServerSideProps, or in getStaticProps.

The getStaticProps function in Next.js is executed at build time for static site generation, making it a great fit for static pages like blogs and marketing sites.

You can use Prisma to send queries to your database in getStaticProps, and Next.js will pass the props to your React components, enabling static rendering of your page with dynamic data.

Full Rendering Flexibility

Credit: youtube.com, Next.js 14 Tutorial - 52 - Static Rendering

With Next.js Export, you can display your data using client-side rendering, which means the page is rendered on the client's browser. This approach is perfect for applications that require complex interactions.

You can also use server-side rendering, where the page is rendered on the server and then sent to the client. This method is ideal for SEO purposes, as search engines can crawl the server-rendered pages.

Next.js Export allows you to query your database with Prisma in getStaticProps, which enables you to generate a static page with dynamic data. This is a game-changer for developers, as it eliminates the need for server-side rendering.

Static site generation is another powerful feature of Next.js Export, where you can pre-render pages at build time and serve them as static HTML files. This approach is great for blogs and other content-driven websites, as it improves performance and reduces the load on your server.

Nancy Rath

Copy Editor

Nancy Rath is a meticulous and detail-oriented Copy Editor with a passion for refining written content. With a keen eye for grammar, syntax, and style, she has honed her skills in ensuring that articles are polished and engaging. Her expertise spans a range of categories, including digital presentation design, where she has a particular interest in the intersection of visual and written communication.

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