Zsolt Tövis - Chief Software Architect
Zsolt TövisChief Software Architect
What is Next.js
What is Next.js

What is Next.js?

Next.js is one of the most definitive tools in modern web development, building upon React technology to offer a comprehensive, production-ready solution. Below is a business-focused evaluation of the technology to assist in strategic decision-making regarding its implementation.

The Essence of the Technology

Next.js is an open-source framework that complements React's user interface building capabilities with the critical infrastructure necessary for high-performance operation. While React alone is responsible only for the display, Next.js provides the "backend": it ensures that pages load at lightning speed, Google's search bots see the content perfectly, and the application remains stable even under heavy load. The technology is backed by Vercel, in close collaboration with the Google Chrome team and React developers.

Business Benefits

The most important business impact of implementation is its direct effect on revenue. The loading speed of pages built with Next.js is outstanding, which is proven to increase conversion rates and reduce visitor churn. The technical architecture (server-side rendering) ensures that search engines index the page content immediately and fully, significantly improving the company's organic reach and market visibility. On the development side, built-in tools and standardized structure allow for a faster Time-to-Market, as developers do not need to deal with building basic infrastructure.​

Drawbacks and Risks

The greatest risk lies in the complexity of the technology: it requires deeper knowledge from the development team than traditional React development, especially with the new "App Router" architecture. Although the framework is open-source, certain features are optimized for the Vercel hosting platform, which may raise the apparent risk of vendor lock-in if the company does not possess adequate DevOps competence for self-hosting. For simple, internal administration interfaces, introducing Next.js may occasionally be overkill, introducing unnecessary complexity to the system.​

Practical Application

The technology primarily pays off in projects where public availability, search engine optimization, and speed are critical business factors. It is an ideal choice for high-traffic web shops (E-commerce), news sites, marketing-focused corporate websites, and complex SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms. Global large enterprises such as Netflix, TikTok, Nike, Twitch, or Notion build their critical systems on this technology, demonstrating the solution's stability and scalability.​

Executive Summary

Next.js is a strategically sound, secure, and future-proof investment for any digital product where user experience and market visibility generate direct revenue. The technology has become the de facto industry standard in the enterprise sector, ensuring support and talent supply. Its introduction is recommended if the company aims to build a modern, competitive, and long-term sustainable digital presence, and if appropriate senior development competence is available (or can be acquired).

Frequently Asked Questions

Next.js is open-source software with an MIT license. The use of the framework itself is completely free, even for commercial purposes. Costs arise exclusively on the operational side (servers, hosting).

Next.js is the most popular React framework, so the labor market supply is abundant. However, because it requires more specialized knowledge than plain web development, the compensation for experienced senior developers may range above the market average.

The security level of the framework meets enterprise expectations. Server-side components allow sensitive data (e.g., API keys) to be hidden from users, offering a higher security level than purely client-side solutions.

One of the biggest advantages of Next.js is its "Incremental Adoption" capability. It is not necessary to replace the entire old system at once; the new technology can be introduced page by page or module by module, minimizing the business risk of the transition.

The technology requires a Node.js environment on the server side. Although it can be run on its own server (in a Docker container), it delivers optimal performance on modern cloud-based (serverless/edge) infrastructures, which may differ from traditional static hosting.

The framework is open and can be run on any cloud provider (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) or on private servers. Although Vercel's platform offers the easiest integration, the company is not forced to use any single provider.

The technology is backed by the capital-strong Vercel and a huge open-source community. Close collaboration with the React development team guarantees that Next.js will remain at the forefront of the industry for years, making the investment secure in the long run.

Better SEO increases free (organic) traffic, and faster loading improves purchase conversion. Additionally, increased development efficiency reduces maintenance and development costs, resulting in a positive ROI.

Although not a native mobile application (like React Native), PWA (Progressive Web App) applications built with Next.js provide an app-like experience on mobile, which in many cases can replace costly separate mobile development.

The biggest mistake is choosing the wrong caching strategy and rendering modes (server vs. client). Without an expert architect, this can lead to performance issues and unjustifiably high operational costs.

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