Next.js vs React: Which Framework for Your Business? | Launchwork Digital

**Quick answer:** For most business websites, Next.js is the better choice. It builds on React's component model but adds server-side rendering (better SEO), automatic optimization (faster loading), and simplified deployment. Use plain React only if you're building a web app that doesn't need search visibility.

Understanding the Difference: React vs Next.js

Before diving into which framework you should choose, let's clarify what each actually is: **React** is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It provides the tools to create interactive components but doesn't include opinions about routing, data fetching, or server rendering. **Next.js** is a framework built on top of React. It takes React's component model and adds production-ready features: server-side rendering, file-based routing, automatic code splitting, and built-in optimizations. Think of it this way: React gives you the building blocks. Next.js gives you the building blocks plus the architecture, plumbing, and best practices already in place.

!Vibrant JavaScript code displayed on a screen *Modern JavaScript frameworks like React and Next.js power millions of business websites.*

When to Choose Next.js (Most Business Websites)

Next.js is the right choice for the majority of business websites. Here's why:

### SEO-Critical Websites If your website needs to rank on Google, Next.js has a significant advantage. Server-side rendering means search engine crawlers see your full content immediately, without waiting for JavaScript to execute. **Real impact:** Our clients consistently see faster indexing and better rankings with Next.js compared to client-side React applications.

### Business Websites and Marketing Sites Company websites, landing pages, and marketing sites benefit from: - Fast initial page loads (server-rendered content) - Automatic image optimization - Built-in metadata management - Easy deployment to Vercel or any hosting provider

### E-commerce and Content-Heavy Sites Online stores and blogs need: - Static generation for product/article pages (lightning fast) - Dynamic content where needed - Excellent Core Web Vitals scores

### Any Site Where First Impressions Matter Studies show users abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load. Next.js's automatic optimizations help ensure fast load times without manual performance tuning.

When Plain React Might Work

There are legitimate use cases where React without Next.js makes sense:

### Internal Dashboards and Admin Panels If your application sits behind a login and doesn't need SEO, React SPAs work fine. Users typically access these tools regularly, so initial load time matters less than ongoing interactivity.

### Web Applications (Not Websites) Complex applications like project management tools, design software, or collaboration platforms may benefit from React's flexibility without Next.js's opinions.

### Prototypes and MVPs When validating an idea quickly, a simple React setup with Create React App can be faster to start with—though we often recommend Next.js even for MVPs given how easy it is to set up.

### Existing React Codebases If you have a large React application and SEO isn't critical, migrating to Next.js might not be worth the effort.

Performance Comparison: Real Numbers

Performance matters for both user experience and SEO. Here's how Next.js and React typically compare for a standard business website: | Metric | Next.js (SSR/SSG) | React SPA | |--------|-------------------|------------| | **Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)** | ~1.2-1.8s | ~2.5-4.0s | | **First Contentful Paint (FCP)** | ~0.8-1.2s | ~1.5-2.5s | | **Time to Interactive (TTI)** | ~1.5-2.5s | ~3.0-5.0s | | **JavaScript Bundle Size** | 50-150KB typical | 150-400KB typical | *Based on typical business websites with similar content. Actual results vary based on implementation.* The difference comes down to rendering strategy. Next.js sends pre-rendered HTML to the browser, so users see content immediately. React SPAs send an empty HTML shell and render everything in the browser, which takes longer.

SEO Comparison: What Actually Matters

### How Search Engines Handle Each

**Next.js:** Content is visible in the initial HTML response. Google, Bing, and other search engines see your full content immediately during crawling. **React SPA:** Content requires JavaScript execution. While Google can render JavaScript, it's a two-phase process that can delay indexing and sometimes miss content.

### Real-World SEO Implications

1. **Indexing speed:** Next.js pages typically appear in search results faster 2. **Content visibility:** All content is guaranteed to be crawlable 3. **Core Web Vitals:** Better performance metrics directly impact rankings 4. **Dynamic metadata:** Next.js makes it easy to set unique titles and descriptions per page

### Our Recommendation For any website where organic search traffic matters, Next.js is the clear winner. The SEO benefits alone justify the choice for most business websites.

Developer Experience: Day-to-Day Reality

### Routing

**Next.js:** File-based routing. Create a file at `app/about/page.tsx` and you have a `/about` route. Simple and intuitive. **React:** Manual routing setup with React Router or similar. More configuration but more flexibility.

### Data Fetching

**Next.js:** Server Components can fetch data directly. No need for useEffect, loading states, or error handling boilerplate. ```typescript // Next.js Server Component async function ProductPage({ id }) { const product = await getProduct(id); // Direct server fetch return <ProductDisplay product={product} />; } ``` **React:** Client-side fetching with useEffect, state management, and manual loading/error states.

### Deployment

**Next.js:** Deploy to Vercel with zero configuration. Also works well on Netlify, AWS, or any Node.js hosting. **React:** Requires hosting configuration for build output. More options but more decisions to make.

Cost Comparison for Business Owners

Let's talk about what actually matters to business owners—the total cost: | Cost Factor | Next.js | React SPA | |-------------|---------|------------| | **Initial Development** | Similar | Similar | | **SEO Optimization** | Built-in | Additional work required | | **Performance Tuning** | Minimal needed | Often required | | **Hosting** | £0-50/month (Vercel free tier) | £20-100/month typical | | **Ongoing Maintenance** | Lower (fewer custom solutions) | Higher (more moving parts) | **Bottom line:** Next.js often costs less over time because many features come built-in rather than requiring custom development.

Migration: Moving from React to Next.js

If you already have a React application, migration is straightforward: **What transfers easily:** - All React components work in Next.js - Most state management (Redux, Zustand, etc.) works unchanged - Styling solutions (Tailwind, styled-components) work the same **What needs adaptation:** - Routing (move to file-based system) - Data fetching (opportunity to simplify with Server Components) - Build configuration (usually simpler in Next.js) **Typical migration timeline:** 1-4 weeks for most business websites, depending on complexity.

FAQs About Next.js vs React

**Can I migrate from React to Next.js?** Yes, Next.js uses React components. Migration is straightforward for most projects. Components transfer directly; routing and data fetching patterns need adaptation.

**Is Next.js harder to learn?** If you know React, Next.js adds concepts but doesn't replace them. Most developers find it easier because it removes decision fatigue around routing, data fetching, and deployment.

**What if I already have a React website?** Consider migration if SEO matters to your business. Keep React if it's an internal tool or the site is working well without organic traffic needs.

**Which is better for e-commerce?** Next.js, without question. E-commerce needs fast page loads, good SEO, and dynamic product pages—all strengths of Next.js.

**Does Next.js work with WordPress?** Yes, Next.js can use WordPress as a headless CMS, giving you WordPress's content management with Next.js's performance and developer experience.

Our Recommendation

**For new business websites:** Start with Next.js. The benefits for SEO, performance, and developer experience make it the obvious choice for most projects. **For existing React applications:** Evaluate whether SEO and performance are meeting your needs. If not, migration to Next.js is worth considering. **For internal tools and dashboards:** React without Next.js is perfectly fine. You won't benefit from SSR/SSG if your users are authenticated anyway. At Launchwork Digital, we build with Next.js for most client projects. The framework's built-in optimizations mean we spend less time on performance tuning and more time on features that matter to your business.

Ready to Build Your Next.js Website?

Whether you're starting fresh or considering a migration from React, we can help you make the right technical decisions for your business. Contact our team to discuss your project. **Related reading:** - Next.js 15: What's New and Why It Matters - React Server Components Explained - How Much Does a Website Cost in the UK? - Web Development Services