Building Scalable Web Applications with Next.js and React 19

Why Next.js and React 19?

Next.js has become the go-to framework for production React applications. With React 19's improvements in server components and concurrent rendering, you can build applications that are faster, more maintainable, and easier to scale. The combination of file-based routing, API routes, and built-in optimizations makes it ideal for full stack projects.

Project Structure Best Practices

A clear project structure helps teams collaborate and onboard quickly. Here's a recommended layout for medium to large applications:

• app/ – Route segments, layouts, and page components (App Router)
• components/ – Reusable UI components (split into ui/, forms/, layout/)
• lib/ – Utilities, API clients, and shared configuration
• hooks/ – Custom React hooks for data and side effects
• types/ – TypeScript types and interfaces
• styles/ – Global and module-level CSS

Server Components vs Client Components

React 19 and Next.js 14+ emphasize Server Components by default. Use them for data fetching, static content, and anything that doesn't need interactivity. Reserve Client Components for forms, event handlers, and browser APIs.

Server Components reduce bundle size and improve initial load. Move interactivity only where it's needed with the "use client" directive.

State Management and Data Fetching

For global state, consider React Context for simple cases and Zustand or Jotai for more complex needs. For server state, use React Query (TanStack Query) or Next.js server actions with revalidation. Caching strategies (stale-while-revalidate, on-demand revalidation) are crucial for scalability.

Deployment and Performance

Deploy on Vercel, AWS, or self-hosted Node. Enable edge runtimes where possible, use ISR for dynamic but cacheable pages, and monitor Core Web Vitals. Optimize images with next/image and scripts with next/script.