The Top Benefits of the <Image/> Component in Next.js

Code and props explanation

import Image from "next/image";
import yourImage from "../public/yourimage.png";

const yourComponent = () => {
  return (
    <div className="relative">
      <Image
        src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dle7vs1ph/image/upload/v1690114958/Imagealeway_6_qar5a8.png"
        // For this implementation, you need to change your next.config file as shown below
        // src={yourImage}
        // You don't need to specify either height nor width, but you should use at least one if
        // you want to change the size
        // height={100}
        width={100}
        // Optional
        priority={true}
        // Images with priority={true} will be fetched first
        // Try it by yourself inside the network tab
        fill={true} // I had problems with this, as my image was going across the whole screen.
        // By simply adding position: relative; to the parent div, you can avoid this issue.
        alt="yourImage"
        // You should always give alt a value because of SEO
        // alt={product?.title}
        // It should be dynamic if you are fetching some dynamic data
        // like products, for example, you should give alt a value like this
        loading='lazy'
        // The loading behavior of the image defaults to lazy.
        // When lazy, defer loading the image until it reaches a calculated distance from the viewport.
      />
    </div>
  );
};

// If you are getting your images with a URL, you need to specify the URL inside your next.config file.
/** @type {import('next').NextConfig} */
const nextConfig = {
    reactStrictMode: true,
    images: {
      domains: ['res.cloudinary.com']
    }
}

module.exports = nextConfig;

WebP format

The Image component in Next.js automatically optimizes and delivers images in the most efficient format and size, resulting in faster loading times. It uses modern image formats like WebP, which provides better compression and quality compared to traditional formats like PNG or JPEG.

Automatic Image Optimization

Next.js provides built-in image optimization capabilities, allowing you to upload high-quality images without worrying about performance. The Image component optimizes images by applying techniques like resizing, compression, and lazy loading, resulting in faster page loads and reduced data usage.

Eliminating Image Flickering with Local Images

One common issue that can occur when loading images on web pages is image flickering. When using local images with the Image component in Next.js, you can effectively eliminate this flickering effect and provide a smoother user experience. Read my article about this topic.

Lazy loading

One of the standout features of the Image component in Next.js is its built-in lazy loading functionality. Lazy loading means that images are only loaded when they enter the viewport or are about to become visible to the user. This approach significantly improves the initial page load time, especially for pages with a large number of images.

Device-aware Image Compression

Next.js goes beyond just lazy loading and takes into account the user's device and media capabilities to optimize image rendering. When a user accesses your Next.js application on a smaller device, such as a smartphone or tablet, the Image component intelligently compresses the images to further enhance loading times and conserve bandwidth.

Improved Loading Time for SEO:

In the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), website performance plays a crucial role. Page loading speed, including the loading time of images, is a significant factor that search engines consider when ranking websites. By using the Image component in Next.js instead of the traditional img tag, you can significantly reduce the loading time of your images, ultimately benefiting your SEO efforts.

The Top Benefits of the <Image/> Component in Next.js

These are props that you will need 90% of the time. Elevating Performance and User Experience: The Advantages of the <Image/> Component in Next.js

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