Use Case Overview
- Example.com is a site showcasing multiple mobile apps.
- Needs SEO, clean design, possible blog/news updates.
- Developer-friendly, scalable, and content-manageable.
Architecture Options
Option 1: Next.js Frontend + WordPress Backend (Headless)
Structure:
example.com→ Next.js frontendcms.example.com→ WordPress backend
Pros:
- Fast performance with static site generation (SSG)
- Full design control with React and Tailwind
- Easy content updates via WordPress
- Great SEO using Next.js
- Modular app showcase with dynamic routing
Cons:
- Requires initial setup effort
- Requires API integration (REST or GraphQL)
Option 2: All-in-One WordPress Site
Structure:
example.com→ WordPress frontend and backend
Pros:
- Fast setup with themes and plugins
- Easy content updates with no coding
- Plugins for SEO, forms, analytics, and more
Cons:
- Limited design/customization flexibility
- Slower performance compared to static/SSG
- Less scalable for frontend-heavy apps
Recommended Approach
Use Next.js as frontend and WordPress as headless CMS
- Best of both worlds: modern UI + simple content editing
- Scale to include blog, changelogs, or docs easily
Suggested Structure:
- Frontend: Next.js + Tailwind
- CMS: WordPress with ACF
- Deployment: Coolify or Vercel
Is Next.js Heavy?
TL;DR:
- No, it’s not heavy by default.
Deployment Modes:
| Mode | Server | Performance | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
next export | ❌ No Node | ⚡ Ultra fast | Fully static landing page |
next build + start | ✅ Node server | ⚡ Fast | SSG/SSR needed |
| Vercel/Netlify | ✅ Serverless | ⚡ Optimized | Hybrid apps |
Memory Usage:
| Use Case | RAM Usage |
| Static Site | ~20-50MB |
| Node Server | ~100-200MB |
| Heavy SSR | 200MB+ |
Tips to Stay Lightweight:
- Use
getStaticProps()overgetServerSideProps() - Avoid unnecessary large packages
- Cache remote content
- Use
next/imagefor optimized images
Avoid Making It Heavy:
- Don’t overuse SSR without caching
- Avoid large unoptimized scripts
- Minimize server component complexity
Summary
| Question | Answer |
| Is Node server needed? | ✅ Yes, if using SSR/SSG; ❌ No if fully static |
| Is Next.js heavy? | ❌ Not by default |
| Can it run on VPS or Coolify? | ✅ Yes, very well |
Recommended: Use Next.js + Headless WordPress for a modern, scalable, and editable setup.
