“The setup is a bit more complex and requires more work to keep it secure, as users’ input can now reach your server and potentially cause problems.”
Advantages:
Supports dynamic user interactions and tailored content
Can accommodate user-generated content, such as reviews and comments
Disadvantages:
Complex setup and ongoing maintenance
Higher resource consumption, as pages are rendered for each visitor
Potentially slower load times due to server response delays
To alleviate resource demands, developers can use caching or proxies to minimize redundant processing.
3. Client-Side Rendering (CSR): Interactivity with Risks
Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, January 2025.
Client-side rendering uses JavaScript to fetch and display data in the user’s browser.
This method creates interactive websites and web applications, especially those with real-time updates or complex user interfaces.
Splitt highlights its app-like functionality:
“The interactions feel like they’re in an app. They happen smoothly in the background without the page reloading visibly.”
However, he cautions about its risks:
“The main issue with CSR usually is the risk that, in case something goes wrong during transmission, the user won’t see any of your content. That can also have SEO implications.”
Advantages:
Users enjoy a smooth, app-like experience without page reloads.
It allows features like offline access using progressive web apps (PWAs).
Disadvantages:
It depends heavily on the user’s device and browser.
Search engines may have trouble indexing JavaScript-rendered content, leading to SEO challenges.
Users might see blank pages if JavaScript fails to load or run.
Splitt suggests a hybrid approach called “hydration ” to improve SEO.
In this method, the server initially renders the content, and then client-side rendering handles further interactions.
Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, January 2025.
How to Choose the Right Rendering Strategy
Splitt points out that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for website development.
Developers should consider what a website needs by looking at specific factors.
Splitt says:
“In the end, that depends on a bunch of factors, such as what does your website do? How often does the content change? What kind of interactions do you want to support? And what kind of resources do you have to build, run, and maintain your setup?”
He provides a visual summary of the pros and cons of each approach to help developers make informed choices.
Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, January 2025.
Connecting the Dots: Rendering and JavaScript Overuse
This episode continues earlier discussions about the drawbacks of excessive JavaScript use, especially regarding SEO in the age of AI search crawlers.
As previously reported, AI crawlers like GPTBot often have difficulty processing websites that rely heavily on JavaScript, which can decrease their visibility in search results.
To address this issue, Splitt recommends using server-side rendering or pre-rendering to ensure that essential content is accessible to both users and search engines. Developers are encouraged to implement progressive enhancement techniques and to limit JavaScript usage to situations where it genuinely adds value.
See the video below to learn more about rendering strategies.
Featured Image: Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, January 2025