Faster Webpage Loading Times: Client-Side Rendering vs. Server-Side Rendering
Page load speed is a critical factor for both user experience and SEO. As such, front-end web developers must determine the best way to render a website to deliver a fast, dynamic experience. Two commonly used options are client-side rendering (CSR) and server-side rendering (SSR).
What Is Client-Side Rendering?
Client-side rendering is a newer approach that became popular with the integration of JavaScript libraries, such as Angular and React.js. This method works by rendering a website’s JavaScript in the user’s browser, in contrast to rendering it primarily on the server. While the initial upload time might be a bit slow, subsequent page loads are rapid since they aren’t dependent on different HTML pages per route.
What Is Server-Side Rendering?
Server-side rendering is a more common and older technique that involves the server rendering every fully rendered HTML page to the client. This method usually takes more time to load than CSR since the entire loading process occurs on the client side.
Differences Between Client-Side and Server-Side Rendering
The main difference between CSR and SSR is the algorithms of their operation. For instance, CSR shows an empty page before loading, while SSR displays a fully-rendered HTML page on the first load. Moreover, search engines can crawl the site better with SSR, which facilitates better SEO performance. However, CSR is usually a cheaper option for website owners because its rendering responsibility is passed to the client.
When to Use Server-Side Rendering
SSR is the ideal choice if you want to enhance Google visibility or rank high on the search engine results pages (SERPs). Dynamic data and fewer pages with a basic user interface online marketplaces and e-learning websites benefit the most from SSR.
When to Use Client-Side Rendering
CSR is used mainly for dynamic web applications like social networks and online messengers where information constantly changes and must deal with large and dynamic data to perform fast updates to meet user demand. Prioritize user experience over SEO.
Determining Which is Better: Server-Side or Client-Side Rendering
If your site content doesn’t require much interaction, then SSR is more beneficial, and it positively affects page load times, accessibility, SEO, and social media support. On the other hand, CSR provides cost-effective rendering for web applications, and it is easier to maintain and build, making it better for First Input Delay (FID). In certain situations, both CSR and SSR can be implemented within a single website or webpage, and CSR is typically better for dynamic websites while SSR is ideal for static websites.
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