Main advantage of server-side rendering (SSR) over a pure client-side SPA?
Options
- No JavaScript at all is needed in the browser
- Faster first paint and better SEO (HTML pre-rendered) (Correct option)
- It places less load on the server than an SPA
- No hydration is needed afterwards on the page
Answer
Faster first meaningful paint and better SEO since HTML arrives already rendered
Why
In a client-side SPA, the browser first receives an almost empty HTML page, downloads JavaScript, runs it, and only then shows content.
With SSR, the server sends HTML that already contains the content, so users and search engines see it immediately. Then JavaScript 'hydrates' it to make it interactive.
Cost: more work on the server per request. Static generation (SSG) pre-builds pages at build time.
Remember
SSR = content visible sooner + better SEO.