Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Definition

Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is the process where a webpage is generated by the server as users requests it. It means that the server fills the necessary HTML content before sending it to the browser. The browser then renders this pre-populated page for the user, creating a more immediate visual experience. This is contrary to Client-Side Rendering (CSR), where initial HTML is sent to the browser and then Javascript builds the page content.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR) Relevance For SEO

From an SEO perspective, Server-Side Rendering (SSR) can be helpful in some cases because it ensures that all the page’s content is available to search engine crawlers upon loading the page. SSR makes a website more indexable as search engines typically crawl through HTML to find and understand your content. Additionally, it improves page load speed, which is an important ranking factor. Hence, compared to CSR, which can sometimes lead to partially loaded pages, specifically on slow connections or devices.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR) Best Practices for SEO

Using Server-Side Rendering (SSR) generally affects SEO positively, but it’s not essential.

• Ensure the server loads content quickly. Slow server-side rendering can negatively impact user experience and SEO ranking.
• Make sure to structure your HTML semantically and logically. The crawler will have a better understanding of the page if the content is structured properly.
• Dynamic content should be rendered server-side. Avoid rendering important content via client-side Javascript, as search engine crawlers can have difficulty indexing dynamically rendered content.
• Ensure all important meta tags and SEO-related elements are server-rendered. This includes title tags, meta descriptions, canonicals, etc. as a best practice for effective SEO.