Web development
Hire Next.js developers for fast, search-friendly web apps
Get senior engineers who know the App Router, server components and caching inside out. They build sites and apps that load fast, rank well in search and deploy cleanly to Vercel, Cloudflare or your own servers.
- App Router, server components and caching experts
- Matched with a senior Next.js developer in 48 hours
- Deploy to Vercel, Cloudflare or self-hosted, your choice
Overview
What Next.js developers do, and why the details matter
Next.js is a React framework for building websites and web applications. Plain React runs in the browser. Next.js adds the parts a real product needs around it: file-based routing, rendering on the server, data fetching, caching, image and font optimisation, API endpoints and a production build. That is why it is a popular choice for marketing sites, e-commerce stores, SaaS products and content platforms that need both a rich interface and strong search rankings.
Modern Next.js is built around the App Router and React Server Components. Components run on the server by default, fetch data directly from your database or API, and send finished HTML to the browser with very little JavaScript. Only interactive parts, marked with "use client", ship code to the browser. Used well, this makes pages fast and keeps secrets on the server. Used badly, it leads to confusing bugs, accidental data leaks and pages that are slower than they should be.
The hardest part of Next.js today is choosing how each part of a page is rendered and cached. A product page might have a static shell that loads instantly, a cached price list refreshed every few minutes and a personalised basket streamed in per request. Next.js supports all of this through static prerendering, Partial Prerendering, streaming with Suspense and the "use cache" directive. Getting it right takes experience, because a wrong cache setting can show one user's data to another or serve old prices for hours.
When you hire Next.js developers from Dware, you get senior engineers who have shipped App Router projects to production and know the trade-offs between hosting options. They can start a new project, take over an existing one, move a Pages Router app to the App Router, or migrate a site from WordPress, Gatsby, Create React App or an older PHP stack. They write TypeScript, test their work and leave you with clear notes on how rendering and caching are set up.
What we build
Next.js development services we offer
Our Next.js developers cover the full lifecycle of a Next.js product, from the first route to hosting and long-term upgrades.
New App Router builds
Websites and web apps built on the App Router with server components, layouts and route groups. We set up TypeScript, linting, testing and preview deploys from the first day, so the project starts on solid ground.
SEO-focused marketing and content sites
Pages that render real HTML on the server, with metadata, Open Graph images, sitemaps, robots rules and JSON-LD structured data generated by Next.js itself. Content can come from a headless CMS like Sanity, Contentful, Storyblok or headless WordPress.
SaaS dashboards and customer portals
Logged-in apps using server components for data, server actions for forms and route handlers for webhooks. Authentication with Auth.js, Clerk or your own provider, and role checks enforced on the server, not just hidden in the UI.
E-commerce storefronts
Headless stores on Shopify, BigCommerce or a custom back end, with static product pages refreshed on demand, fast search and a checkout that stays dynamic. Cache tags let a price change update the right pages in seconds.
Migrations to Next.js
Moving from WordPress, Gatsby, Create React App, Vite, Remix or server-rendered PHP to Next.js. We keep URLs, redirects and metadata intact so you keep your search rankings, and we migrate route by route where possible.
Pages Router to App Router upgrades
Incremental moves where both routers run side by side. We convert getServerSideProps and getStaticProps to server components and caching, replace API routes with route handlers or server actions, and rename middleware to proxy.
Performance and caching fixes
We find why pages are slow or why data is stale, then fix it with the right mix of static rendering, streaming and cache tags. You get faster Core Web Vitals and, often, lower hosting and database load.
Hosting setup and moves
Deploys to Vercel, to Cloudflare Workers through the OpenNext adapter, to AWS, or self-hosted in Docker with standalone output. We configure caching, image optimisation and environment variables for each platform.
Our process
How our Next.js developers build your project, step by step
A good Next.js build is planned around rendering and caching, not just pages and components. Here is how we take a project from first call to a fast, stable release.
- 1
Discovery and SEO baseline
We start with a free consultation about your goals, users, content and traffic. If you already have a site, we crawl it to record every URL, title, meta description and redirect, and pull search data from Google Search Console. This baseline protects your rankings during a rebuild or migration. We also note where content comes from, such as a CMS, a database or third-party APIs, and how often it changes.
What you get
- URL and redirect inventory
- Content and data source map
- Free, fixed quote
- 2
Rendering and caching architecture
For every route we decide how it renders. Marketing pages and blog posts are usually prerendered at build time. Product and listing pages often use a static shell with cached data refreshed by time or on demand through cache tags. Dashboards and baskets render per request and stream in with Suspense. We write this down as a simple route map, along with where data is fetched and which code must stay on the server, so everyone knows why a page behaves the way it does.
What you get
- Route-by-route rendering plan
- Caching and revalidation rules
- Server and client boundary map
- 3
Project setup and hosting target
We create the app with the App Router, strict TypeScript, ESLint and your chosen styling, usually Tailwind CSS. We choose the hosting target early because it affects the build: Vercel works out of the box, Cloudflare Workers uses the OpenNext adapter and Wrangler, and self-hosting uses standalone output in a Docker image. Preview deploys are wired to every pull request from the start, so you can click through work in progress.
What you get
- App Router project in your repo
- CI with preview deploys
- Environment and secrets setup
- 4
Building pages, data and forms
We build layouts and pages as server components that fetch data directly, keeping API keys and database access on the server. Interactive pieces, like filters, carousels and editors, are small client components. Forms use server actions with Zod validation and proper error messages. Metadata, sitemaps, robots rules and Open Graph images are generated in code with generateMetadata, sitemap.ts and opengraph-image files, so SEO stays correct as content grows.
What you get
- Server-rendered pages
- Server actions with validation
- Generated metadata and sitemap
- 5
Testing and quality checks
Unit and component tests run in Vitest with React Testing Library. Playwright tests cover key journeys like search, sign-up and checkout against a production build, because caching and streaming behave differently in development. We check that cached pages refresh when content changes and that personalised data never leaks into a shared cache. Lighthouse CI checks performance and accessibility on every pull request, and every change gets a senior code review.
What you get
- Vitest and Playwright suites
- Cache and revalidation tests
- Lighthouse CI budgets
- 6
Migration cut-over and launch
For migrations, we map every old URL to its new one and add permanent redirects in next.config or proxy. We compare old and new pages side by side for content, titles and structured data before launch. On launch day we switch DNS, submit the new sitemap in Google Search Console and watch crawl errors, 404s and server logs closely. Most issues show up in the first days, so we stay close until traffic is stable.
What you get
- Redirect map and tests
- Launch checklist
- Search Console monitoring
- 7
Monitoring, upgrades and support
After launch we track real-user Core Web Vitals, errors in Sentry and server timings with OpenTelemetry where useful. Next.js moves quickly, so we plan upgrades rather than letting the app fall behind, using the official codemods and testing each step in a preview deploy. You get daily updates while we are active and a weekly summary, and you can scale support up or down monthly.
What you get
- Error and Web Vitals monitoring
- Planned version upgrades
- Ongoing support
Want this process for your project? Tell us what you're building and get a free, fixed quote.
Get a free quoteTechnical expertise
Next.js development expertise our engineers bring
Next.js has changed a lot in recent versions. These are the areas where experience makes the biggest difference to speed, cost and reliability.
Server components and the client boundary
We keep as much as possible in server components, which send no JavaScript to the browser. The "use client" boundary is pushed as far down the tree as we can, so a whole page does not become client code because of one button. We never pass secrets or full database records to client components, only the fields they need. We use the server-only package to make sure server code cannot be imported into the browser by mistake.
Rendering strategies: static, dynamic and streaming
Next.js treats static and dynamic as a spectrum at the component level. A page can have a static shell that is served instantly from a CDN, with dynamic parts streamed in through Suspense as they resolve. We use generateStaticParams for known pages, loading states that match the final layout to avoid layout shift, and Partial Prerendering where it fits. The result is pages that feel instant even when some data is personalised.
Caching and revalidation without surprises
With Cache Components we cache work explicitly using the "use cache" directive, set lifetimes with cacheLife and label data with cacheTag. When content changes in your CMS, a webhook calls revalidateTag so only the affected pages refresh. We are careful with anything tied to cookies, headers or the logged-in user, which must never end up in a shared cache. Clear caching rules are the difference between a fast site and one that shows old prices.
Technical SEO done in code
Search engines get fully rendered HTML on the first request. We generate titles, descriptions and canonical URLs with the Metadata API, build sitemaps and robots rules from real data, and add JSON-LD for products, articles, FAQs and breadcrumbs. Images use next/image with correct sizes, and fonts use next/font to avoid layout shift. During migrations, redirect maps and Search Console monitoring protect existing rankings.
Edge, serverless and self-hosted deployment
Vercel offers the smoothest Next.js hosting with preview deploys and built-in caching. Cloudflare Workers, through the OpenNext adapter, can run close to users with storage in KV and R2. Self-hosting with standalone output in Docker on AWS, Google Cloud or a VPS gives you full control of cost and data location. We set up caching, image optimisation and logs correctly for each, and we can move you between them.
Security on the server
Server actions and route handlers are public endpoints, even if they look like functions. We validate every input with Zod, check authentication and permissions inside every action, and rate-limit sensitive routes. Proxy, previously called middleware, is used for light work like redirects and locale detection, not as the only security check. We keep a Content Security Policy, secure cookies and patched dependencies.
Skills and tools our Next.js developers use
Next.js core
- Next.js App Router
- React Server Components
- Server Actions
- Cache Components
- Turbopack
- TypeScript
Data and content
- PostgreSQL
- Prisma
- Drizzle
- Supabase
- Sanity
- Contentful
- Headless WordPress
- Shopify Storefront API
UI and auth
- Tailwind CSS
- shadcn/ui
- Radix UI
- next/image
- next/font
- Auth.js
- Clerk
- Zod
Testing and performance
- Vitest
- React Testing Library
- Playwright
- Lighthouse CI
- Sentry
- OpenTelemetry
Hosting
- Vercel
- Cloudflare Workers
- OpenNext
- Wrangler
- AWS
- Docker
- GitHub Actions
Why Dware
Why hire Next.js developers from Dware
Real App Router experience
Our developers have shipped App Router projects to production. They know where server components, streaming and caching help, and where they cause trouble.
SEO protected from day one
Metadata, sitemaps, structured data and redirects are built into the code and checked before launch, so a new site or migration does not cost you search traffic.
Hosting that fits your needs
We are not tied to one platform. We help you pick Vercel, Cloudflare or self-hosting based on traffic, budget, data location and your team's skills.
Senior review on every change
Every pull request is reviewed by a second senior Dware engineer, with extra attention to caching, server boundaries and security.
Flexible and low risk
You meet your matched developer within 48 hours, start with a two-week risk-free trial, own all code and IP, and scale the team up or down monthly.
Ways to work with us
Ways to hire Next.js developers
Hire one developer, add a whole team, or hand us a fixed-scope project. Tell us what you need and we'll send a free, fixed quote, usually within one business day.
Dedicated developer
Most popularA senior engineer who works only on your product, full-time or part-time.
- Joins your Slack, standups and Git
- Same developer every day
- Scale up or down monthly
Team extension
Two or more developers, plus QA or a tech lead, added to your team.
- Matched to your stack and time zone
- One point of contact
- Add or remove people any month
Fixed-scope project
A clear scope, timeline and fixed quote. Ideal for MVPs, apps and fixes.
- Free, fixed quote before we start
- Milestones you approve
- Support after launch
FAQ
Hire Next.js developers: frequently asked questions
Is Next.js good for SEO?
Yes, when it is set up well. Next.js renders pages on the server, so search engines receive complete HTML instead of an empty page waiting for JavaScript. It also has built-in tools for titles, meta descriptions, canonical URLs, sitemaps, robots rules and Open Graph images. Speed matters for rankings too, and server components, image optimisation and font loading help with Core Web Vitals. The framework gives you the tools, but someone still has to use them correctly.
Do I need to host my Next.js app on Vercel?
No. Vercel builds Next.js and offers the smoothest hosting, with preview deploys and caching that work out of the box. But you can also run Next.js on Cloudflare Workers using the OpenNext adapter, on AWS, on Google Cloud, or in a Docker container on your own servers using standalone output. Each option has different trade-offs in cost, control and setup work. We help you choose based on your traffic and team.
Can you migrate our WordPress site to Next.js without losing rankings?
Yes. A common approach is to keep WordPress as a headless CMS so editors keep the admin they know, while Next.js renders the public site. Before building, we record every existing URL, title and meta description. Every old URL is either kept or permanently redirected, and structured data is carried over. After launch we watch Google Search Console for crawl errors and fix anything quickly.
Should we move from the Pages Router to the App Router?
Usually yes, but not all at once. The App Router brings server components, streaming, nested layouts and better caching, and new Next.js features land there. Both routers can run in the same project, so we migrate route by route, starting with simpler pages. Data fetching functions become server components, API routes become route handlers or server actions. If your Pages Router app is stable and rarely changes, we may advise waiting.
What is the difference between React developers and Next.js developers?
Every Next.js developer is a React developer, but not every React developer knows Next.js well. A React developer focuses on components, state and the browser. A Next.js developer also understands server rendering, server components, caching, routing, SEO and deployment. If you are building a logged-in single-page app, a React developer may be enough. If you need public pages, search traffic or server logic in the same codebase, hire a Next.js developer.
How much does it cost to hire a Next.js developer?
Cost depends on what you are building and how. A marketing site with a CMS is a different scope from a SaaS app with authentication, billing and dashboards. Migrations depend on how many pages and redirects are involved. The number of integrations, your hosting choice, timeline and team size all matter too. We give you a free, fixed quote after a short call, so you know the cost before work begins.
Our Next.js site shows stale data. Can you fix it?
Yes, this is one of the most common problems we fix. Stale data usually comes from caching rules that are unclear, missing revalidation when content changes, or a CDN caching pages longer than intended. We map how each route is cached, then make it explicit with cache lifetimes and tags. A webhook from your CMS or back end can trigger revalidation so only the right pages update, quickly and safely.
Can Next.js handle our back end too?
For many products, yes. Server components can read from your database directly, server actions handle form submissions and route handlers serve webhooks and public APIs. That means one TypeScript codebase for front end and back end. For heavy background jobs, long-running processing or large public APIs, we usually add a separate Node.js or Python service and connect it to Next.js. We will tell you honestly which fits your case.
How long does a Next.js project take?
It depends on scope, but typical timelines help with planning. You will usually see a first preview deploy within one to two weeks. A marketing site with a headless CMS often launches in four to eight weeks. A SaaS product or large migration takes longer and is best shipped in phases, so you get value early. We agree milestones up front and you get daily updates and a weekly summary throughout.
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Learn moreBook a free Next.js consultation
Tell us about your site, app or migration. We will review your goals, recommend a rendering and hosting plan, give you a fixed quote and match you with senior Next.js developers within 48 hours.