Since the mid 1990s and the creation of JavaScript the goal of roughly every web page has strived to be dynamic and highly engaging. However, even dynamic web pages have their own disadvantages.
Static web pages alongside server-side rendering are two principle ways in which businesses have veered away from typical dynamic websites in turn for faster rendering and better search rankings.
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What Is Next.js?
Next.js is yet another JavaScript framework created by Vercel. Vercel’s mission has always been “To Make Cloud Computing Accessible To Everyone”. In doing so, they offer developers a low-effort way to deploy their websites.
But Next.js helps developers create websites in the first place, especially static ones.
The framework is specifically designed for writing server-side rendered and static React apps. Server-side rendering (SSR) is a treasured feature for many developers.
With SSR, an application can rely on the web server to display web page content rather than the browser, or client-side. This speeds up page loads, amplifying the user experience and SEO as well for search rankings.
As of October 25, 2016, Next.js is open-source. This means that an appropriately skilled and diverse developer community has the opportunity to edit source code in an attempt to improve the original project or manipulate it for their own whims.
In Vercel’s blog post on the topic, they expressed that they long had a vision of universal JavaScript applications. Universal applications, to review, run JavaScript code both on the client-side and the server-side.
The benefit of this is having web page content that does not have to wait for the client’s input before rendering. SSR is integral to this process.
Due to SSR, also called static pre-rendering, you can render React components on the server before sending HTML to the client. Because of this, developers can build static sites or pre-render static data using SSR, leading to faster load times.
Next.js is also considered to be minimalistic or lightweight, meaning it will not overload your machine.
What Is a Next.js Developer?
A Next.js developer is a software developer who uses the Next.js framework alongside ReactJS to build web applications. As web developers, Next.js developers have a foundational background in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Next.js developers, by definition, must be ReactJS developers too as the framework was made to supplement ReactJS. ReactJS is an open-source JavaScript framework and library for building user interfaces (UIs).
In some ways, Next.js developers can be categorized as full-stack developers. Others have even called the framework itself middle-end. This is because ReactJS specializes in UI development, a front-end construction. And Next.js muddles the server-side with the client-side.
Why Use Next.js?
Next.js can build SSR and static web applications. The benefits of SSR are easy enough to understand, but why would someone want to build a static website? Here are a few reasons.
Speed
The less complex a website is, the faster it loads. A static web page is a whopping 10 times faster than a dynamic web page. Whether your page has a bunch of moving images or not, visitors expect speed.
Research finds that 47% of people expect a website to load within two seconds, and 40% of people do not expect to wait longer than three seconds.
SEO
Search engine optimization is how your website gets recognized on the web. If you rank high, you get more clicks and more leads. The quicker your content loads the more material web crawlers have to peruse and rank your web page. And as you know, static web sites are quick.
Resources
Static websites depend on basic HTML files which require less hosting space. It’s a cost-effective way to protect your business’s budget.
Dynamic websites also need more upkeep. Especially in terms of scalability, keeping up with web traffic is an arduous task.
With a static website, you can give your business some reputation and brand without having to sacrifice all your resources.
Security
In static site generation, all necessary assets for your websites are generated during the build. There’s no server-side or middle man. To put it simply, there’s no intermediary where malicious hackers can find vulnerabilities.
Reliability
Just about every Internet user is turned off by error messages. They are both irksome and disappointing. One popular message claims, “The connection could not be established.” This is likely a database issue that cannot occur with pure HTML files.
Advantages of Using Next.js
The Next.js framework has several built-in features that draw developers to its doors. And when you’re developers are happy, you’re happy.
Ease of Use
Software development isn’t exactly easy. It requires a particular familiarity with syntax of all kinds and problem-solving skills. But there is a way to make the job of software developers a little bit easier.
For example, in Next.js you can get an app running in roughly the same amount of time it takes to install the software. Literally.
Automatic Code-Splitting
Next.js offers automatic code-splitting. Code-splitting splits and bundles code for developers. This makes for efficient grouping and dynamic loading so that only the code that is needed will be loaded at a time.
JavaScript
If they really wanted to, developers can use JavaScript to do everything when using Next.js. Most tech stacks require the knowledge of a few different languages. But with Next.js JavaScript can be the forerunner for your framework, main programming language, database – you get the idea.
Websites That Use Next.js
- Netflix Jobs
- Twitch (Mobile)
- Hulu
- Realtor
- AT&T
- IGN
Reasons to Hire a Next.js Developer
The main appeal of Next.js is its capacity for enhancing performance and SEO. These are crucial components for software developers and businesses alike.
Developers want to make sure their programs are efficient and likable. Businesses want the same, but they also need to market their products.
Web applications, especially single-page applications, can present a problem where marketing is concerned. Since they take more than a couple of seconds to load, search engines find it difficult to get the information they need from your web page.
Next.js is an easy fix. It’s easy because Next.js is a simple and small framework. Its fix includes server-side rendering and static site generation.
Though static websites were once a thing of the past probably less than a decade ago, they are not entirely useless. And depending on your business model they can help more than harm.
Next.js is a modern way to procure the benefits of a static website without regressing into the early 1990s. But you’ll need a Next.js developer to make sure everything comes together smoothly.
Hire a Next.js Developer
Want to create a ReactJS app but don’t want to neglect your search rankings? Next.js might be able to assist you. Or rather, Next.js developers may be able to assist you.
You’re probably already familiar with ReactJS and don’t see a greater need for another framework. However, you have a responsibility to grow your business rather than stagnate.
Ironic as it, while static web pages can work towards your favor, stagnation will never do you any good. So what’s the next step if you want to hire a Next.js developer?
How do you hire a Next.js developer?
For those who wish to take the high road and hire Next.js developers on your own, we’re still here to help. Hiring a developer on your own is a very focused and hands-on process that requires considerable knowledge about software development in general.
The last thing you want to do is trust your hiring process to someone with no technical ability. If you are a non-technical manager looking to learn a thing or two, we have a great resource here for you to learn more about the hiring process in detail. Otherwise, we’d recommend you contact Trio for consulting and developer allocation.
What should you look for in a Next.js developer?
At a high level, Next.js developers should have the following:
- Familiarity with the following concepts: universal applications, static pre-rendering (server-side rendering), and code-splitting
- Expertise in Node.js as a back-end architecture
- Expertise in Next.js as a front-end architect
- Heavy background working with and developing in ReactJS
- Demonstrated ability to build responsive and well-structured web application UIs
How much do developers cost in the U.S.?
ZipRecruiter estimates that Node.js developers make an average salary of $113,791. ReactJS developers make $110,278.
Next.js is a narrow role as developers need to be Node.js and ReactJS developers first before implementing Next.js into any program. But based on the given averages, you can estimate that a Next.js developer makes at least $88,184 annually.
How much do developers cost in South America?
Due to economic differences between the United States and South America as a whole, the cost of offshoring software development is significantly lower than hiring full-time with U.S talent. For Next.js developers in South America, the average salary is currently around $100,000 whereas a mid-level developer costs around $76,000.
How much do developers cost in Ukraine / Eastern Europe?
Eastern Europe shares very similar rates to South America, again due to the economic differences. When looking at salaries in Eastern Europe, data shows that a Senior Next.js developer costs around $100,000 on average.
Hourly Rates for Developers
Another way to look at developer costs is through hourly rates. While salaries are good to understand for hiring developers for full-time and long-term, you might just need a developer for a period of 3-6 months or 6-12 months. In these types of situations, it’s best to calculate your costs based on the hourly rates of a developer.
Below is a table that lists the various hourly rates of developers in different locations based on their job title.
Why Hire a Next.js Developer?
Trio Next.js developers are pre-vetted, interviewed, and then trained further to become true software professionals, capable of adapting to situations that are both within and outside of the scope of their general expertise.
At Trio, we hold our developers to a higher standard. Much like how elite special forces units recruit only the best from main branches of the military, we recruit developers who either show amazing potential or demonstrate exceptional skill. We then take their talents and sharpen them even further.
Another benefit of hiring a Trio developer is that you won’t incur the costs of hiring, which can add up to be around 30% of a developer’s salary on average, as well as overhead costs associated with full-time employment.
By working with Trio, you can enjoy a highly experienced full-time developer for a fraction of the cost, along with the added project management assistance.
To learn more, get in touch with Trio today and tell us about your project.
