Building Modern Web Apps with Next.js 15
A look at the powerful features of Next.js 15 and why it's my go-to framework for building React applications.
Next.js has become one of the most popular frameworks for building React applications, and version 15 brings some exciting improvements. Let me share why I've chosen it for this blog and many other projects.
Why Next.js?
There are many ways to build a React application, but Next.js stands out for several reasons:
Server Components by Default
React Server Components allow us to render components on the server, reducing the JavaScript bundle sent to the client. This means faster page loads and better SEO.
File-Based Routing
The App Router in Next.js 15 makes it incredibly intuitive to create routes. Just create a folder with a page.tsx file, and you have a new route.
Built-in Optimizations
From image optimization to font loading, Next.js handles many performance optimizations automatically that you'd otherwise need to configure manually.
Key Features I Love
The App Router
The App Router introduced in Next.js 13 and refined in subsequent versions provides a powerful way to structure applications with:
- Layouts that persist across navigations
- Loading and error states built into the routing
- Parallel routes for complex UIs
Turbopack
Next.js 15 continues to improve Turbopack, the Rust-based bundler that provides lightning-fast development builds.
Server Actions
Server Actions make it easy to handle form submissions and mutations without setting up separate API routes.
Getting Started
If you're new to Next.js, I recommend starting with the official documentation and the excellent tutorial on the Next.js website. The community is also incredibly helpful and active.
Happy coding!