The benefits of using SSG / SSR in modern Web Development

The benefits of using SSG / SSR in modern Web Development

Nothing is as important as fast loading times and seamless performance when it comes to your website. Technology is constantly evolving to meet ever-higher demands. An important emerging trend in this area is the shift towards Server Side Generation (SSG) and Server Side Rendering (SSR). These techniques ensure that websites are pre-rendered, achieving optimal efficiency and drastically improving website performance.

Pre-calculating a website 

In traditional server-side rendering with PHP or another web server, the website is loaded dynamically. This is not the case with SSG and SSR. In these techniques, the website is “pre-calculated” and presented to the visitor without the server having to perform heavy computations during the visit. We’ll tell you more about SSG and SSR, how they work, and in which situations these technologies are most effective.

Server Side Generation (SSG) and Server Side Rendering (SSR) 

Server Side Generation (SSG) and Server Side Rendering (SSR) are techniques that drastically change the way websites are loaded. Traditional websites use server-side rendering, where the server dynamically generates content whenever a user requests a page. This process is often done using PHP or other server-side languages and requires both time and server resources. SSG and SSR introduce significant changes to this process.

What exactly does SSG do? 

With SSG, the website is pre-generated. This means that the web pages are made static at the time of the build, and when visiting the website, the server no longer needs to render content. As a result, the website is always ready to load at lightning speed. This provides a great advantage for websites with relatively static content, such as corporate websites or portfolios.

What exactly does SSR do? 

SSR is similar to SSG in some respects, but instead of generating the website during the build, it happens only when a user visits the website. This can be useful for websites with more dynamic content where it’s important that the content is up-to-date, while still benefiting from the speed of a server-rendered page.

Frameworks like NuxtJS play a key role in implementing both SSG and SSR. NuxtJS, built on Vue.js, allows you to leverage the benefits of both techniques depending on the needs of the website.

Advantages of Server Side Generation 

Using Server Side Generation offers significant advantages over traditional server-side rendering. We’ll provide an overview of the main benefits of SSG.

Lower hosting costs 

Since SSG websites don’t rely on an active server to generate pages each time, hosting costs are often significantly lower. There’s no need for powerful servers or expensive infrastructure to support the website, as most of the content is pre-generated.

Faster loading times 

One of the biggest advantages of SSG is speed. Statically generated pages can load within just 20 milliseconds, compared to the average 600 milliseconds needed for dynamically generated pages. This difference is noticeable for users, especially on high-traffic websites, and can even reduce bounce rates.

Enhanced security 

Since a statically generated website doesn’t use an active server or PHP, there are significantly fewer vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. Without a running web server or active backend processes, there are fewer attack points for hackers to exploit, strengthening the security of the website.

Scalability 

Websites that use SSG are much more scalable for high traffic volumes. Since the pages are served statically, a hosting environment can easily handle many more requests without performance degradation. This makes SSG ideal for websites that experience peak traffic, such as news sites or e-commerce platforms.

Instant load times 

Users feel that the website loads almost instantly, as the page is already rendered before they request it. This “instant” feeling contributes to a smoother user experience, which strongly positively impacts visitor engagement and the success of the website.

Practical application of SSG/SSR 

Our experience with implementing SSG and SSR in NuxtJS and Laravel hybrids has shown that this is a great strategy for many modern websites. By configuring SSG correctly, websites can benefit from fast loading times, low costs, and enhanced security. Another important advantage of modern frameworks like NuxtJS is that they support dynamic elements, even if the rest of the website is statically generated. For example, a shopping cart on an e-commerce website can be unique for each user and dynamically loaded while the rest of the page remains static. This ensures a balance between dynamism and speed.

Disadvantages of Server Side Generation 

Although Server Side Generation offers many benefits, it’s not the best solution for every website. One of the main disadvantages of SSG is that it’s less suitable for websites where the content changes frequently. Since the website is pre-generated, any change in content requires a new “build”. This means that for every small change, such as adding a new product to an online store, the website needs to be pre-rendered again. This process can be time-consuming for websites with many daily updates or time-sensitive content. While dynamic elements like shopping carts are still possible, pre-rendering the entire website with each change remains a challenge.

More advantages than disadvantages 

SSG and SSR are powerful techniques that offer significant advantages in modern web development, from faster loading times and lower costs to improved security and scalability. These methods help make websites more efficient and user-friendly. Although there are some limitations, such as the need to regenerate the website for content changes, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, especially for static or semi-static websites.

We’re happy to think along with you 

For websites using NuxtJS, we offer strategic advice and support in implementing SSG or SSR. With our experience in building static websites with dynamic functionality, we can ensure that your website is not only fast and secure but also retains the flexibility to meet your business needs. Contact us to discover how we can optimize your website with Server Side Generation or Server Side Rendering. We’re happy to think along with you to find the best solution for an optimal result.