Beginner-Friendly Guide to Next.js:TechWithNavi : TechWithNavi

Introduction

Next.js is a popular tool that makes building modern websites easier, faster, and more effective. It’s built on React, a well-known library for creating user interfaces, but adds extra features like server-side rendering, static site generation, and simple routing. This guide explains what Next.js is, what it’s used for, how it compares to React, and whether it’s a frontend or backend tool. We’ll also include a simple tutorial, tips for finding resources, and answers to common questions like those in “People Also Ask” sections. With over 1500 words, this article is designed to be clear and easy to understand, even if you’re new to web development.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a free, open-source framework created by Vercel, a company focused on web development tools. It’s built on React, which means it uses React’s way of building web pages with reusable pieces called components. Next.js makes React even better by adding features that help with speed, search engine visibility, and building both the front and back parts of a website. Since it started in 2016, Next.js has become very popular, with thousands of developers using it and sharing ideas on its GitHub page.

Key Features of Next.js

Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Creates pages on the server when someone visits your site, making pages load faster and easier for search engines to find.
Static Site Generation (SSG): Builds pages in advance, so they’re ready to go, perfect for blogs or simple websites.
File-Based Routing: Makes it easy to create new pages by adding files to a pages folder.
API Routes: Lets you build backend features, like handling data, right in your Next.js project.
Automatic Code Splitting: Only loads the code needed for a page, speeding up your site.
Built-in CSS and Image Support: Makes it simple to style pages and optimize images for faster loading.
TypeScript Support: Helps you write safer code by checking for errors as you type.
Fast Refresh: Shows changes instantly while you code, saving time.

These features make Next.js a great choice for building all kinds of websites, from small blogs to big online stores.

What is Next.js Used For?

Next.js is flexible and works for many types of projects. Here are some common ways people use it:

Search-Friendly Websites: Next.js helps search engines like Google find your content, making it great for blogs, online stores, or marketing pages.
Online Stores: It’s used for fast, user-friendly shopping sites, like those built with Shopify, where quick loading and search visibility matter.
Blogs and Static Sites: Next.js can create super-fast websites that don’t change often, like personal blogs or company pages.
Mobile-Friendly Apps: It supports features to make websites work like apps on phones, even offline.
Full Websites with Backend: Next.js can handle both the user interface and backend tasks, like fetching data, so you don’t need a separate tool.
Big Company Projects: Companies like Netflix and Starbucks use Next.js for their websites because it’s reliable and easy to manage.

Next.js is great for both simple and complex projects, making it a favorite for developers.

Is Next.js Better Than React?

Since Next.js is built on React, people often compare the two. They’re related but do different things, so whether Next.js is “better” depends on what you need for your project.

Next.js vs. React: A Simple Comparison

Feature	React	Next.js
What It Is	A tool for building web interfaces	A framework for complete websites
How Pages Load	Loads pages in the browser	Can load pages on the server or pre-build them
Routing	Needs extra tools like React Router	Built-in routing using files
Search Engine Support	Not great for search engines without work	Great for search engines
Backend Features	None; needs a separate backend	Includes backend features like APIs
Speed	Needs manual tweaks to be fast	Automatically makes sites faster
Learning	Easier, focused on interfaces	A bit harder but includes more tools
Best For	Interactive apps like chats	Blogs, stores, or full websites

When to Use React

You’re building an app that works mostly in the browser, like a chat or game.
You don’t need search engine visibility.
You want to control every part of your project.

When to Use Next.js

You want your site to show up on Google or load quickly.
You need both frontend and backend in one project.
You’re building a mix of static pages (like a blog) and dynamic pages (like a dashboard).

Next.js is like React with extra tools included, making it faster to build complete websites. React is better for smaller, browser-based projects.

Is Next.js Frontend or Backend?

Next.js can do both frontend and backend work, which makes it special. Here’s how it fits into each:

Next.js as a Frontend Tool

React-Based: It uses React to build what users see, like buttons and forms.
Browser Rendering: It can load pages in the browser for interactive features, just like React.
Static Pages: It creates ready-to-go pages for simple sites, like blogs.

Next.js as a Backend Tool

API Routes: You can create backend features, like fetching data or handling logins, in the pages/api folder.
Server Rendering: It builds pages on the server, pulling in data before showing them to users.
Middleware: Lets you add custom rules, like checking if someone is logged in.

Why It’s Both

Next.js lets you build a website’s look (frontend) and its behind-the-scenes logic (backend) in one project. For example, you can create a shopping site that shows products (frontend) and handles orders (backend) without needing another tool.

Getting Started with Next.js: A Simple Tutorial

Let’s walk through creating a basic Next.js project. This is perfect for beginners and only takes a few minutes.

Step 1: Install Node.js

Next.js needs Node.js, a tool for running JavaScript. Download it from nodejs.org (version 18 or newer). Check if it’s installed:

node -v
npm -v

Step 2: Create a Next.js Project

Use this command to start a a new project:

npx create-next-app@latest my-first-app

Pick the default settings or add extras like TypeScript.
Go to your project folder:

cd my-first-app

Step 3: Start the App

Run this to see your website:

npm run dev

Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser to see the default page.

Step 4: Add a New Page

Next.js makes new pages easy. Create a file called about.js in the pages folder:

export default function About() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>About Our Site</h1>
      <p>This is a Next.js app!</p>
    </div>
  );
}

Go to http://localhost:3000/about to see it.

Step 5: Add Some Style

Create a file called About.module.css in the styles folder:

.container {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 20px;
}

Update about.js to use the style:

import styles from '../styles/About.module.css';

export default function About() {
  return (
    <div className={styles.container}>
      <h1>About Our Site</h1>
      <p>This is a Next.js app!</p>
    </div>
  );
}

Step 6: Share Your Site

Push your project to GitHub, then use Vercel (Next.js’s creators) to share it online. Run:

vercel

Follow the steps to get a live website.

This is just the start! Next.js lets you add dynamic pages, fetch data, and more. Check the official guide for next steps.

Next.js Resources and Help

The Next.js website has everything you need, including:

Getting Started: How to set up and use Next.js.
Data Fetching: Ways to load data for your pages.
API Routes: How to build backend features.
Hosting: Tips for sharing your site.

Other helpful places:

Next.js GitHub: github.com/vercel/next.js for code and updates.
Next.js Learn: nextjs.org/learn for free lessons.
Vercel Blog: News and tips about Next.js.

Next.js vs. NestJS

Some people mix up Next.js with NestJS, but they’re different:

Next.js: Works with React to build websites, handling both frontend and some backend tasks. Great for web apps.
NestJS: A tool for building backend systems, not tied to React. Best for complex server work.

Choose Next.js for websites with React. Use NestJS for heavy backend projects.

How to Install Next.js

You need Node.js and npm to use Next.js. Install a new project with:

npx create-next-app@latest

Or add Next.js to an existing project:

npm install next react react-dom

Add these to your package.json:

"scripts": {
  "dev": "next dev",
  "build": "next build",
  "start": "next start"
}

Check the latest version at npmjs.com/package/next.

Conclusion

Next.js is an amazing tool for building modern websites, combining React’s ease with extra features like fast loading, search engine support, and backend capabilities. Whether you’re making a blog, an online store, or a big app, Next.js has what you need. It’s not just for experts—beginners can start with the tutorial above and grow from there. With great resources, a helpful community, and free tools, Next.js is perfect for anyone wanting to create awesome websites.

Try Next.js today by following the steps above, checking the official site, or joining the GitHub community. It’s a fun and powerful way to bring your web ideas to life!