Server-side rendering (SSR)

In a Server-Side Rendering architecture, the server handles the primary task of assembling the webpage instead of the user's browser. When a request is made, the server fetches the required data, populates the HTML template, and sends a complete, fully rendered page to the client. While this is the traditional method of web delivery, it has seen a resurgence in modern frameworks like Next.js because it eliminates the initial blank screen often associated with complex JavaScript applications.

The primary benefits of SSR are improved perceived performance and superior SEO. Because the browser receives the full content immediately, the user sees the page much faster, even on slower devices or limited internet connections. For SEO, SSR is vital because it ensures that search engine crawlers can read the final content of the page without needing to execute complex JavaScript. This leads to more accurate indexing of dynamic content and ensures that social media platforms can generate high-quality previews when a link to the site is shared.