Generating static HTML versions of JS-heavy pages before serving them to search engines to ensure indexing.
Why Pre-rendering Matters
Pre-rendering is a powerful solution for websites built with a pure client-side rendering approach. While modern search engines are capable of rendering JavaScript, they may not do it instantly or perfectly. Pre-rendering removes all doubt by delivering a perfect, pre-rendered HTML file to the crawler. This is particularly useful for single-page applications (SPAs) where a lot of content is loaded dynamically. By pre-rendering, you ensure your content is indexed quickly and accurately, which is a non-negotiable step for any business that relies on organic search traffic. It’s a reliable way to make a JavaScript-heavy site SEO-friendly.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The implementation of pre-rendering varies across different CMS platforms.
WordPress
For a WordPress site with a JavaScript front-end, a pre-rendering service is a highly effective way to ensure SEO compliance. You can use a dedicated service that connects to your site and caches HTML snapshots of your pages. This ensures that a search engine always sees a crawlable version of your content.
Shopify
Shopify’s standard themes do not require pre-rendering, as they are server-side rendered. However, if you are using a headless commerce approach with a JavaScript framework, pre-rendering is a viable solution. It helps ensure that all your product and collection pages are fully indexed.
Wix
Wix handles its own JavaScript rendering, so you typically don’t need to use an external pre-rendering service. The platform is designed to be SEO-friendly out of the box, and its system ensures that all your content is visible to search engines.
Webflow
Webflow generates clean HTML, so pre-rendering is not necessary. The platform’s native capabilities ensure that all your content is easily crawlable and indexable, which is a key advantage for SEO.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most flexibility. You can build a pre-rendering solution from the ground up, using an internal tool or a third-party service to generate and serve static HTML snapshots to search engine crawlers. This ensures maximum control and scalability.
Across Different Industries
Pre-rendering is a valuable strategy for various industries, especially those with dynamic content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often use JavaScript for product filters, shopping cart functionality, and dynamic content. Pre-rendering is a powerful tool to ensure that all your product and category pages are fully indexed, which is crucial for sales.
Local Businesses
Local businesses may use pre-rendering for a website that is a single-page application. This ensures that all the information about their services, location, and hours is visible to search engines for local search.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies frequently use JavaScript frameworks for their marketing pages and dashboards. Pre-rendering is a great way to ensure their marketing pages are indexed, while their user dashboards can remain a client-side rendered application.
Blogs
Blogs built with a JavaScript framework can use pre-rendering to create static HTML versions of each article. This ensures that every article is easily found and indexed by search engines, which is critical for organic traffic.
Do’s and Don’ts of Pre-rendering
Do’s
- Do use a reliable pre-rendering service. Choose a service that is fast, reliable, and has a good reputation.
- Do use a clear internal linking structure. A good site structure with clear internal links helps crawlers find and understand all your content.
- Do use Google Search Console. The URL Inspection tool will show you exactly how Google sees your pages and whether your pre-rendering is working.
Don’ts
- Don’t use pre-rendering as a substitute for good technical SEO. Pre-rendering is a solution to a specific problem, not a cure-all for all your SEO issues.
- Don’t block search engines from your JavaScript files. A search engine needs to access your JavaScript to properly render the page.
- Don’t forget to update your pre-rendered cache. If you update content on your site, you must also update the pre-rendered version.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- A mismatch between the pre-rendered and live versions: The pre-rendered page must be an exact copy of what a user sees.
- Using a slow or unreliable pre-rendering service: A slow service can hurt your SEO by slowing down your crawl time.
- Not updating the pre-rendered cache: If you publish a new page or update an old one, you must make sure that the pre-rendered cache is also updated.
FAQs
Is pre-rendering a substitute for server-side rendering (SSR)?
No. Pre-rendering is a workaround for a client-side rendered (CSR) website, while SSR is a more comprehensive solution that builds the page on the server. SSR is generally considered the best approach for JavaScript SEO.
How is pre-rendering different from a traditional CDN?
A traditional CDN caches and delivers static files, like HTML, CSS, and images. A pre-rendering service actively generates a static HTML file from a dynamic JavaScript page and then caches and serves it.
Can pre-rendering help with my website’s Core Web Vitals?
Yes. By serving a static HTML file, pre-rendering can significantly improve your website’s performance and Core Web Vitals, particularly your Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) score.
How do I know if my pre-rendering is working?
You can use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. It will show you a screenshot of your page as Google sees it. If the screenshot looks like a complete and fully formed page, your pre-rendering is working.
What is the difference between pre-rendering and dynamic rendering?
Pre-rendering involves generating a static HTML file before a request. Dynamic rendering involves rendering the page on the fly for each request, which can be slower but more up-to-date.
