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Performance Optimization

Lightning-Fast Performance

Comprehensive guide to optimizing web applications for speed, efficiency, and exceptional user experiences

Sub-second Loading
Optimize for instant page loads
Core Web Vitals
Meet Google's performance standards
Global Scale
Optimized for worldwide delivery

Core Web Vitals Optimization

Master the essential metrics that define exceptional user experience

First Contentful Paint (FCP)

< 1.2s

Time until first text or image is painted

Optimization Strategies:

  • Optimize critical CSS delivery
  • Minimize render-blocking resources
  • Use resource hints (preconnect, dns-prefetch)
  • Implement font-display: swap

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

< 2.5s

Render time of the largest content element

Optimization Strategies:

  • Optimize images and use next-gen formats
  • Use CDN for static assets
  • Implement lazy loading for below-fold content
  • Minimize server response times

First Input Delay (FID)

< 100ms

Time from first interaction to browser response

Optimization Strategies:

  • Code splitting and lazy loading
  • Minimize JavaScript execution time
  • Use web workers for heavy computations
  • Optimize third-party scripts

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

< 0.1

Measure of visual stability

Optimization Strategies:

  • Define dimensions for images and videos
  • Avoid inserting content above existing content
  • Use transform animations instead of layout changes
  • Preload fonts to prevent FOIT/FOUT

Optimization Techniques

Proven strategies and code examples for maximum performance

Image Optimization

Next.js Image Component

Built-in optimization with lazy loading and responsive images

Code Example
import Image from 'next/image'

<Image
  src="/hero-image.jpg"
  alt="Hero"
  width={1200}
  height={600}
  priority
  placeholder="blur"
  blurDataURL="data:image/jpeg;base64,..."
/>

WebP & AVIF Formats

Use next-generation image formats for better compression

Code Example
// next.config.js
module.exports = {
  images: {
    formats: ['image/avif', 'image/webp'],
    minimumCacheTTL: 60,
  },
}

Responsive Images

Serve different image sizes based on device

Code Example
<Image
  src="/hero.jpg"
  alt="Hero"
  fill
  sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw"
  style={{ objectFit: 'cover' }}
/>

Code Optimization

Dynamic Imports

Load components only when needed

Code Example
import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'

const HeavyComponent = dynamic(
  () => import('./HeavyComponent'),
  { 
    loading: () => <Skeleton />,
    ssr: false 
  }
)

Bundle Analyzer

Analyze and optimize bundle size

Code Example
// Install and run bundle analyzer
npm install @next/bundle-analyzer
npm run analyze

// next.config.js
const withBundleAnalyzer = require('@next/bundle-analyzer')({
  enabled: process.env.ANALYZE === 'true',
})

Tree Shaking

Import only what you need

Code Example
// Instead of importing entire library
import { debounce } from 'lodash'

// Use specific imports
import debounce from 'lodash/debounce'

Caching Strategies

Static Generation

Pre-generate pages at build time

Code Example
export async function getStaticProps() {
  const data = await fetchData()
  
  return {
    props: { data },
    revalidate: 3600, // ISR: revalidate every hour
  }
}

API Route Caching

Cache API responses with appropriate headers

Code Example
export async function GET() {
  const data = await fetchExpensiveData()
  
  return Response.json(data, {
    headers: {
      'Cache-Control': 's-maxage=86400, stale-while-revalidate=59'
    }
  })
}

Client-side Caching

Use SWR or React Query for data caching

Code Example
import useSWR from 'swr'

function Profile() {
  const { data, error } = useSWR('/api/user', fetcher, {
    revalidateOnFocus: false,
    dedupingInterval: 2000,
  })
  
  if (error) return <div>Error loading</div>
  if (!data) return <div>Loading...</div>
  return <div>Hello {data.name}</div>
}

Performance Monitoring Tools

Essential tools for measuring and monitoring performance

Lighthouse

Browser Tool

Automated auditing for performance, accessibility, and SEO

Core Web Vitals
Best Practices
SEO Analysis
Progressive Web App

WebPageTest

Online Tool

Detailed performance analysis with waterfall charts

Multiple Locations
Connection Types
Film Strip View
Security Analysis

Chrome DevTools

Browser Tool

Built-in browser performance profiling

Performance Tab
Coverage Tab
Network Analysis
Memory Profiling

Core Web Vitals

Analytics

Google Search Console performance metrics

Real User Data
Field Data
Search Impact
Historical Trends

Performance Checklist

Essential optimizations for every project

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