Next.js Static HTML Export: A Beginner’s Guide

Unlock the Power of Static HTML Export in Next.js

When it comes to dynamic applications, Next.js is the go-to tool for many developers. But, did you know that it also offers a lesser-known feature that can revolutionize the way you build and deploy your applications? Enter static HTML export, a game-changer that allows you to create lightning-fast, SEO-friendly websites with ease.

What is Static HTML Export?

Static HTML export is exactly what it sounds like – a series of HTML files that are, well, static. They don’t require servers or special products/services to run or be usable. The only job the server has to do is host the files for others to consume, nothing more. Next.js makes exporting static HTML from an application ridiculously easy, and we’re about to dive into why you should care.

Why Use Static HTML Export?

There are three key reasons you might want to opt for using static HTML export:

SEO Benefits

When you host static HTML files, all of the content is already pre-generated into the HTML that will be sent to the user. This means that when SEO crawlers visit your site to index content, they can easily see all of the available content and work their way through it.

Improved First Paint Times

Having your content already generated into static HTML means there’s no rendering required either on the server at request time or by the client once it receives the code. This results in faster content display, also known as the First Paint time, which is a crucial factor in your site’s overall SEO score.

Code Portability

With static HTML, you don’t need any special equipment to run your code. You can host it anywhere, without relying on a particular service or equipment, giving you increased flexibility and freedom.

How to Use Static HTML Export in Next.js

Next.js has a built-in command for exporting static HTML from an application – next export. When you run this command, Next.js builds an HTML version of your application from pregenerated static files and copies them into the correct directory, ready for you to use as you please.

Supported Features in Next.js Static HTML Export

When building a static site and exporting static HTML from a Next.js application, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the core Next.js features are supported, including:

• Using dynamic routes with getStaticPaths
• Prefetching with next/link
• Preloading JavaScript
• Dynamic imports
• Any styling options (such as CSS Modules or styled-jsx)
• Client-side data fetching
• getStaticProps and getStaticPaths
• Image optimization using a custom loader

Unsupported Features in Next.js Static HTML Export

While many features are supported, there are some that require a Node.js server to run or dynamic logic that cannot complete during the build process. These include:

• Image optimization (default loader)
• Internationalized routing
• API routes
• Rewrites
• Redirects
• Headers
• Middleware
• Incremental static regeneration
• fallback: true
• getServerSideProps

Get the Most Out of Next.js Static HTML Export

In conclusion, static HTML export is a powerful feature within Next.js that allows you to build sites with the perks of Next.js and React, while still getting the speed and SEO benefits of hosting your website with static HTML files. By understanding why and how to use static HTML export, you can take your development skills to the next level.