A Winning Combination
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
When it comes to SSR, the process begins on the server. The server generates an HTML file that includes all the necessary data and markup, and then sends it to the client’s browser. This approach has several advantages, including:
- Improved search engine optimization (SEO): By providing a fully rendered HTML document to search engines like Google, you can improve your website’s visibility and ranking.
- Faster page loads: SSR can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transferred over the network, resulting in faster page loads.
However, SSR also has some limitations. For instance:
- Increased infrastructure costs: SSR requires additional infrastructure on the server-side, which can increase costs and complexity.
- Limited state management: Each request is treated as a separate event, making it more difficult to share state between client and server.
Client-Side Rendering (CSR)
On the other hand, CSR takes place entirely on the client-side. The browser generates an HTML document by rendering React components using JavaScript. This approach has its own set of advantages, including:
- Improved interactivity: By allowing for real-time updates and interactions, CSR can create a seamless and engaging experience for users.
- Faster development cycles: With CSR, you can develop and test your application more quickly, as the browser is doing most of the work.
However, CSR also has some limitations. For instance:
- Slower page loads: CSR can lead to slower page loads due to the need to load JavaScript files and render components.
- Limited SEO: Search engines may not be able to crawl and index dynamic content, making it more difficult to achieve good SEO.
Hybrid Approach
In recent years, a hybrid approach that combines the benefits of both SSR and CSR has gained popularity. This approach involves using SSR for initial page loads and then switching to CSR for subsequent interactions.
By leveraging the strengths of each approach, you can create fast, SEO-friendly websites with the added benefit of real-time interactivity. For instance:
- Use SSR for initial page loads to provide a fast and optimized catalog page.
- Switch to CSR for subsequent product views and checkout processes to improve interactivity.
Best Practices
When building a React app with SSR or CSR, there are several best practices that you can follow to ensure success. Some of these include:
- Keep components simple and reusable: This will make it easier to manage state and share data between client and server.
- Use a robust routing library: With a robust routing library like React Router, you can handle client-side routing and improve overall performance.
Written by –
Omkar Kakeru
Founder of PlayTech,
Saathee Global
