Learn everything about server-side rendering (SSR) in React, including an overview of SSR, how SSR works, and how to implement server-side rendering in React.
In today’s digital world, web developers are constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the SEO and performance of their web apps or websites. And one of the most effective ways to do so is through server-side rendering with React.
React is a front-end, open-source JavaScript library used for developing component-based user interfaces. It can be used to develop mobile, single-page, or server-rendered applications.
But, wait what is server-side rendering, and how to implement it with React? In this article, we will delve into it and help you understand what server-side rendering is all about.
What is Server-Side Rendering?
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is a technique for rendering web pages on the server instead of the browser (client) to send a customized response for every request on the website made by users. It helps in optimizing the performance of single-page JavaScript applications.
Read: Secure Coding Practices for Web Developers
Unlike client-side rendering, static content is generated on the server before being seeded to the browser (client). With server-side rendering, one can easily improve site speed to enhance the search engine result page ranking.
Read: Next.js Vs. Vue.js
How does Server-Side Rendering work in React?
Initially, every page in server-side rendering used to get rendered and loaded from the server. But with the introduction of Server-Side React, things are a bit different.
Although the initial page using this technique is pre-rendered from the server, subsequent pages are rendered from the client, giving you the best of both client-side and server-side rendering.
Read: Web Application Architecture: Types, Benefits and Tools
Here’s how Server-Side Rendering works with React:
- A request is sent to the server when the user wants to see a web page.
- React components are rendered to static HTML on the server, i.e., the server runs the React code instead of the client (browser) but rather than producing JavaScript code it produces HTML code for the client.
- Even if the React component needs to fetch data from API, it is also done on the server end, ensuring that the server side sends the required details to the client in HTML.
- Once all the required components are rendered into HTML code, the server sends it to the user’s browser as a response to their initial request.
- When the HTML reaches the browser, it not only contains the UI component but also some required JavaScript code.
- When React is invoked on the client side, it re-renders the component and attaches event listeners, through a process known as "hydration".
Read: Top JavaScript Frameworks for Web Application
How to Implement Server-Side Rendering in React
To implement server-side rendering in React, you need to:
- Create an Express server.
- Define the route to render React components on the server.
- Use ‘rendertoString’ for converting React components into HTML strings.
- Send rendered HTML with a client-side script to the client.
Read: Top Node JS Frameworks for Web Application Development
Server-Side Script (serverRendering.js):
Lastly, use ‘ReactDOM.hydrate’ in the client-side script to render React component for the client side as follows:
Client-Side Script (client.js)
Server-Side Rendering with React can be a powerful technique to develop a high-performing dynamic web application for your business. It can help in optimizing the load speed as well as SEO of the web app to provide a smooth user experience even at slow internet speed.
Conclusion
That was all about Server-Side Rendering in React. We hope that the blog has helped you understand the basics of SSR in React apps. And, if you are interested in developing a dynamic React-based web application that meets your business requirements, then get in touch with our experts, share your expectations, and hire experienced React.js developers now!
FAQs: Server-Side Rendering with React
Which framework is used for server-side rendering in React?
Express.js or Express - a Node.js framework is used for server-side rendering in React web applications.
What are the benefits of server-side rendering in React?
Some of the benefits of server-side rendering in React are:
- Faster Initial Page Loading
- Quick Page Indexing for Search Engine Optimization
- Great User-Experience
- Better Web App Performance
What is the difference between SSR and CSR?
In client-side rendering (CSR), HTML components are rendered on the user browser by executing JS code that shows an empty page before loading. On the other hand, in server-side rendering, components are rendered on the server side to show a fully rendered HTML page on the initial load.
You may have heard that REST is dead, and that GraphQL is the new norm for API centric architectures.
Of course, it’s more complicated than that.
Unless you take this two minutes test with no code, no schema, and no bullshit.
A: No, the server delivers HTML
B: Yes, the server delivers JSON (may include Server-Side Rendering, too)
A: Desktop only (PC or Mac), so mostly on Wi-Fi / Ethernet
Fotonhash Cloud Mining & GPU servers rental is the procedure which implies using a remote datacenter with a shared computing system.
This type of mining makes it possible for the users to mine bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies without managing the hardware.
Another name for this process is bitcoin mining.All the mining equipment is placed and maintained in a special facility.
The user simply needs to register and conclude a contract with the mining company.
In general, cloud mining is a service which entails some expenses and it can result in lower returns for the miner.How does Bitcoin Cloud Mining Work?Such type of mining means a host company owns the hardware and runs it at a facility.
The earnings depend on the amount of hash power rented.
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are rules on what communication means to use when viewing the homepage.
Google announces that “always-on SSL” will affect SEO measures.
In 2014, The fact that Google mentioned using HTTPS as a ranking signal as mentioned below made it clear that it would be given preferential treatment at SEO.
SSL is an abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer, it keeps the Internet connection secure, protects all confidential information transmitted between the two systems.
The SSL certificate is installed on the server side, but it is visually displayed on the browser so that the user can be told that it is protected by SSL.
The issued SSL server certificate is installed on the Web server or mail server.
However, it is possible to create codes for the back-end in javascript with the help of Node.JS.
Since last few years, both the platforms have continued to improve and expand.
Javascript is a programming language which typically runs on every web browser and makes the webpage interactive and dynamic.
Concurrency: PHP uses multi-threaded, blocking I/O for carrying out multiple tasks in parallel like other server-side programming languages.
At the back, there is a web server like MySQL with PHP installed is easily able to interpret the file and display that web page in the browser.
PHP vs Node.JS: Comparison of Different Parameters
Another major commendable thing about this framework is it uses too few resources when compared to other PHP frameworks.
Most commendable features of this framework other than this include template engines, exceptional ease of building apps, international language support, and many other features.
Codeigniter is preferred by most developers for fast-paced app development.
It comes with extensive documentation, help from a vast global community of developers and also some remarkable academic patronage like the committed effort of The British Columbia Institute of Technology to ensure its continued growth and development.
Symfony is a PHP framework regarded widely as a stable, performance-driven, well documented, and modular framework.
Symfony gets its patronage and backing from the French SensioLabs and its community is continuously playing important roles to add value to the framework.
