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Getting Started with Next.js 14: A Comprehensive Guide

8 min read
Rolando Remolacio
Getting Started with Next.js 14: A Comprehensive Guide

I've been using Next.js for a while now, and version 14 is honestly pretty amazing. If you're thinking about using it for your next project, let me share what I've learned from building real apps with it.

Why I Like Next.js

Here's what makes Next.js stand out for me:

  • Better SEO: Your pages load faster and search engines can actually see your content
  • Fast Loading: Pages can be pre-built during deployment, so they load instantly
  • Simple Routing: Just create a folder and file - that becomes your URL. Super easy.
  • Backend Included: You can write your API code right in the same project
  • Smart Loading: Only loads the code needed for each page
  • Image Handling: Images get automatically optimized without extra work

The App Router - A New Way to Build

Next.js 14 comes with the App Router, and it's a game changer. It makes your app faster and easier to work with.

Server Components - The Default

By default, your components run on the server. This is actually really cool because:

  • Less code gets sent to the browser (faster page loads!)
  • You can fetch data directly from your database
  • Keeps sensitive stuff safe on the server
  • Makes pages with lots of data load way faster 

// app/page.tsx - Server Component by default
export default async function HomePage() {
  const data = await fetchData() // Direct database access
  
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to Next.js 14</h1>
      <DataDisplay data={data} />
    </div>
  )
}



Client Components - When You Need Interaction

When you need things like buttons that respond to clicks or forms, just add 'use client' at the top: 

'use client'

import { useState } from 'react'

export default function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0)
  
  return (
    <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
      Count: {count}
    </button>
  )
}



Tips to Make Your App Faster



1. Use the Image Component

Next.js has a built-in Image component that makes your images load super fast: 

import Image from 'next/image'

export default function Gallery() {
  return (
    <Image
      src="/images/photo.jpg"
      alt="Description"
      width={800}
      height={600}
      priority // For above-the-fold images
    />
  )
}



2. Add Loading Screens

Create a loading.tsx file and Next.js will show it automatically while your page loads: 

// app/loading.tsx
export default function Loading() {
  return <div>Loading...</div>
}



3. Handle Errors Nicely

Create an error.tsx file to show a nice message when something breaks: 

'use client'

export default function Error({
  error,
  reset,
}: {
  error: Error
  reset: () => void
}) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h2>Something went wrong!</h2>
      <button onClick={() => reset()}>Try again</button>
    </div>
  )
}



Different Ways to Get Your Data

Next.js lets you fetch data in a few different ways:

Fresh Data on Every Visit

Get the latest data every time someone visits your page: 

export default async function ProductPage({ params }) {
  const product = await fetch(
    `https://api.example.com/products/${params.id}`,
    { cache: 'no-store' } // Disable caching for dynamic data
  ).then(res => res.json())
  
  return <ProductDetails product={product} />
}



Pre-Built Pages

Build your pages once and they'll be super fast for everyone: 

export default async function BlogPost({ params }) {
  const post = await fetch(
    `https://api.example.com/posts/${params.slug}`,
    { next: { revalidate: 3600 } } // Revalidate every hour
  ).then(res => res.json())
  
  return <Article post={post} />
}



SEO Made Easy

Next.js makes it simple to add all the SEO stuff: 

import { Metadata } from 'next'

export const metadata: Metadata = {
  title: 'My Page Title',
  description: 'Page description for SEO',
  openGraph: {
    title: 'My Page Title',
    description: 'Page description',
    images: ['/og-image.jpg'],
  },
}

export default function Page() {
  return <main>Content here</main>
}



Before You Deploy

A few things to check before going live:

  1. Environment Variables: Keep your API keys and secrets in .env.local for local work, then add them to your hosting platform
  2. Test Your Build: Run npm run build to make sure everything works
  3. Edge Functions: These let your code run closer to your users for faster response times
  4. Caching: Set up caching so your static files load faster

Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)



1. Don't Mix Server and Client Components Wrong

You can't import Server Components into Client Components. Instead, pass them as props or children.

2. Don't Fetch Too Much Data

Only get the data you actually need. Your users will thank you for the faster load times.

3. Use TypeScript

I know it seems like extra work, but TypeScript catches so many bugs before they happen. Trust me on this one.

Wrapping Up

Next.js 14 is really solid. The App Router and Server Components make your apps faster and easier to maintain.

Quick recap:

  • Use Server Components by default - they're faster
  • Only use Client Components when you need interaction
  • Add loading and error states
  • Use the Image component for all your images
  • TypeScript is your friend

Hope this helps! If you're stuck on something or want to chat about Next.js, feel free to reach out.

Resources:


Rolando (Jun) Remolacio