Improving Next.js app performance with BlurHash

Next.js is a versatile React framework that facilitates the rapid development of web applications, offering support for server-side rendering and static site generation. While quick to build, optimizing a Next.js app for fast loading involves strategies such as server-side rendering, caching, removing unused dependencies, and image optimization. A key focus of this discussion is image optimization using image placeholders, with BlurHash highlighted as a method for creating visually appealing placeholders by encoding a blurred version of an image into a concise string. This approach enhances page speed and user experience by reducing initial load times and preventing layout shifts. Implementing BlurHash in a Next.js app allows for placeholders in static images using built-in features and requires additional steps for dynamic images, including converting BlurHash data URLs from Base83 to Base64. The process results in improved app performance and user interaction, with tools like LogRocket offering further insights into debugging and monitoring Next.js applications.