When clients ask us what technology stack we recommend, Next.js is usually at the top of our list. Here's why we've standardized on this framework—and when it might (or might not) be right for your project.
The Evolution of Web Development
Remember when building a website meant writing HTML files and uploading them via FTP? Those days are long gone. Modern web applications need to be fast, interactive, SEO-friendly, and work across every device. That's a lot of requirements.
Over the years, we've worked with many frameworks: vanilla React, Vue, Angular, and various server-side solutions. Each has its strengths. But Next.js has emerged as our preferred choice for most projects.
What Makes Next.js Special
1. The Best of Both Worlds
Next.js gives you server-side rendering (SSR) when you need it and static generation (SSG) when you don't. This hybrid approach means you can:
- Pre-render marketing pages for instant loading and SEO
- Server-render dynamic content that changes frequently
- Client-render interactive components that need real-time updates
All in the same application, with the same codebase.
2. Developer Experience
The developer experience with Next.js is exceptional:
// File-based routing - just create a file
// pages/about.tsx → /about
// pages/blog/[slug].tsx → /blog/any-slug
export default function AboutPage() {
return <h1>About Us</h1>
}
No router configuration. No boilerplate. Just write your component and it works.
3. Performance by Default
Next.js automatically:
- Code-splits your application
- Prefetches links that are visible in the viewport
- Optimizes images with the Image component
- Minimizes JavaScript sent to the browser
You get a fast site without having to think about optimization.
4. The Vercel Ecosystem
While Next.js works great anywhere, deploying to Vercel is seamless:
- Push to git and your site deploys
- Preview deployments for every PR
- Edge functions for dynamic content
- Analytics built in
This tight integration means less DevOps overhead and faster iteration.
When Next.js Might Not Be Right
No technology is perfect for every situation. We'd consider alternatives when:
- You need a simple static site: For basic marketing pages, something like Astro might be lighter weight
- Your team knows Vue or Angular: Sticking with familiar tech often beats switching
- You're building a native mobile app: React Native or Flutter would be better choices
- Real-time is critical: Something like Phoenix or Elixir might be more appropriate
Our Stack in Practice
Here's the typical stack we use with Next.js:
| Layer | Technology | |-------|------------| | Framework | Next.js 14 (App Router) | | Styling | Tailwind CSS | | Animation | Framer Motion | | Forms | React Hook Form + Zod | | Database | PostgreSQL via Supabase | | Deployment | Vercel |
This combination gives us:
- Fast development speed
- Excellent performance
- Type safety throughout
- Easy deployment and scaling
Getting Started
If you're considering Next.js for your next project, here are our recommendations:
- Start with the App Router: It's the future of Next.js
- Use TypeScript: The extra type safety is worth it
- Learn Server Components: They're a paradigm shift but powerful
- Don't over-engineer: Start simple and add complexity only when needed
Conclusion
Next.js isn't just a framework—it's a productivity multiplier. It handles the boring infrastructure stuff so you can focus on building features that matter to your users.
Is it right for every project? No. But for most modern web applications, it's hard to beat.
Thinking about your next web project? We'd love to help you choose the right technology stack. Get in touch to discuss your needs.