Next.js has become our go-to framework for building production web applications. After deploying dozens of Next.js apps for clients across various industries, here are the hard-won lessons we've learned.
Server Components Changed Everything
React Server Components fundamentally changed how we architect our applications. The ability to fetch data directly in components without client-side waterfalls has dramatically improved both performance and developer experience.
Caching Strategy
Next.js provides multiple caching layers, and understanding when to use each one is critical for performance.
Edge Runtime
We deploy critical API routes to the edge for sub-50ms response times globally. This is especially important for our clients in the Middle East and South Asia who need fast experiences regardless of server location.
Image Optimization
Next.js Image component with proper sizing, formats (WebP/AVIF), and lazy loading reduced our average page weight by 60%.
Monitoring and Observability
We use a combination of Vercel Analytics, custom OpenTelemetry instrumentation, and error tracking to maintain visibility into production performance.
The Bottom Line
Next.js in production is incredibly powerful, but it requires understanding the framework's opinions about data fetching, caching, and rendering. Invest time in learning these patterns — the payoff is massive.
