24 April 2024

Powering Modern Websites: WordPress and Next.js

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Powering Modern Websites: WordPress and Next.js
Mark LillicrappWritten ByMark Lillicrapp

As Propeller's Technical Director, Mark is responsible for developing digital policy and strategy, implementing infrastructure and leveraging technology to help Propeller and its amazing clients achieve their goals.

WordPress, the ubiquitous content management system (CMS), reigns supreme for building websites. But for those seeking a dynamic and performant front-end experience, Next.js steps in. This combination, known as Headless WordPress, offers the best of both worlds:

  • Seamless Content Management: WordPress excels at creating, editing, and managing content. Its user-friendly interface empowers non-technical users to maintain their website.
  • Next-Level Performance: Next.js, a React framework, boasts features like static site generation (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR) for blazing-fast loading times and improved SEO.

Why Choose Headless WordPress with Next.js?

  • Enhanced User Experience (UX): Next.js’s lightning-fast rendering creates a smooth and engaging experience for visitors.
  • SEO Advantages: Both SSG and SSR improve search engine rankings by pre-rendering content for crawlers.
  • Scalability: Next.js scales efficiently for high-traffic websites, ensuring a seamless user experience even during peak loads.
  • Developer Flexibility: Developers enjoy the freedom and power of a modern React framework while leveraging the robust content management capabilities of WordPress.

Getting Started with Headless WordPress and Next.js

  • Prepare your WordPress Site: Ensure your WordPress installation is up-to-date and consider installing a GraphQL plugin for flexible data fetching.
  • Set up Next.js: Follow the official Next.js guide to create a new project and configure it for your needs.

Connect Next.js to WordPress: Utilize libraries like next-api-routes or wpgraphql to fetch data from your WordPress API within your Next.js application.

Resources for your Headless WordPress Journey

In Summary…

Headless WordPress with Next.js offers a compelling solution for building modern, performant, and scalable websites. By leveraging the strengths of both platforms, you can create exceptional user experiences while maintaining a content-rich website.

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