For months, I tried every possible SEO and performance optimization for my React.js project, but the results were not as impressive as I had hoped. Then, I decided to make the switch to Next.js, and the difference in performance was astounding. In this blog, I'll share my journey, the changes I implemented, and how the website's reach skyrocketed.

The Struggle with React.js

Initially, my website was built using React.js with a client-side rendering (CSR) approach. Despite implementing various optimizations like:

• Lazy loading components
• Code splitting
• Using React.memo and useCallback
• Optimizing images with WebP format
• Implementing proper caching strategies

Using React SEO tools like React Helmet for managing meta tags dynamically

Even after leveraging React Helmet and other SEO-focused libraries, my website struggled to gain traction in search rankings. Search engine crawlers had difficulty indexing dynamically generated content, leading to poor discoverability. The organic reach remained low, and my efforts in optimizing meta descriptions, Open Graph tags, and structured data didn’t yield significant results. My site still depended heavily on JavaScript, and search engines had trouble rendering content properly.

The Switch to Next.js

After researching the benefits of Next.js, I decided to migrate my project. Some of the biggest advantages that drew me in were:

• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Allowed my pages to be pre-rendered on the server, making them more SEO-friendly.
• Static Site Generation (SSG): Improved loading speeds by generating static pages at build time.
• API Routes: Simplified backend integration without needing a separate server.
• Automatic Image Optimization: Improved performance by serving optimized images dynamically.

Built-in SEO features: Better meta tag handling, sitemaps, and improved indexing by search engines.

The Impact on Website Performance

After migrating to Next.js, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my website’s visibility and performance. The Google Search Console report (see image below) shows a significant rise in impressions after switching to Next.js.


From the data:

• Before the switch, the website had minimal impressions and poor search visibility.
• After switching, impressions spiked significantly, showing that more users were finding my content.
• The website loaded much faster, reducing bounce rates and improving user experience.

Lessons Learned

1. SEO Matters: If SEO is a priority, React.js (CSR) may not be the best choice. Even with tools like React Helmet, dynamically generated content can be hard to index. Next.js makes it much easier for search engines to index your content.
2. Performance is Key: Faster page load times improve user engagement and reduce bounce rates.
3. Developer Experience Improves: Next.js simplifies routing, image optimization, and API handling, making development more efficient.

Conclusion

Switching from React.js to Next.js was one of the best decisions I made for my project. The performance improvements, better SEO, and increased reach prove that Next.js is a powerful framework for web applications that need visibility and speed.

If you're struggling with performance and search engine reach on a React project, I highly recommend giving Next.js a try!