Optimizing the Performance of a Complex Single Page App

There are several methods that can be used to make this kind of app load fast. In this article, we will discuss some of the best practices that can be used to optimize the performance of a complex SPA.

Choosing the Right Framework and Cloud Provider

Choosing the right framework and cloud provider can take care of most performance optimizations out of the box. For instance, Next.js is a React-based framework that provides server-side rendering, code splitting, and other performance optimizations. By using Vercel, we can take advantage of its automatic CDN (Content Delivery Network) deployment, which significantly improves the app's performance by reducing latency and increasing scalability.

Server Components, Static Site Generation, and Code Splitting

Server Components, Static Site Generation, and Code Splitting are techniques that can be used to significantly improve the performance of our SPA. Server Components allow us to render components on the server. Static Site Generation allows us to pre-render pages at build time. Finally, Code Splitting allows us to send only the code that the user needs. Basicaly our goal is minimizing the amount of JavaScript sent to the user.

Next.js Edge Functions

Next.js Edge Functions allow us to execute serverless functions at the edge. By using Edge Functions, we can move the logic of our app closer to the user, thereby reducing the amount of time it takes for the app to respond.

Pagination

Pagination is a technique that allows us to split large sets of data into smaller, more manageable chunks. By using pagination, we can reduce the amount of data that needs to be loaded at once. Additionally, we can implement lazy loading to load additional data as the user scrolls down the page.

Image Optimization

Images can take up a significant amount of space and can slow down the performance of our SPA. Therefore, it's important to optimize our images by using techniques such as compression, lazy loading, and the WebP format. Lucky for us, Next.js provides an Image component that got us covered.

Choosing the Right Backend and Database

Optimizing performance also means choosing the right backend and database that fit our purpose. For instance, if we are building a real-time app, we might choose a database that supports real-time updates, if we are building an app that requires complex queries, we better of choosing a database that supports those queries.

Making the User Feel Like the App is Fast

Finally, it's important to make the user feel like the app is fast, even if it isn't. One way to do this is to provide visual feedback, such as a loading animation. Another way is to provide perceived responsiveness, such as the ability to interact with the app while it's still loading.