Next.js vs. Traditional Liquid: Modernizing Shopify Theme Development

As e-commerce businesses evolve, so do the technologies behind their platforms. Shopify, traditionally powered by Liquid templates, has become a go-to choice for many online stores. But as frontend frameworks like Next.js gain popularity, developers and merchants are asking: should we stick with Liquid or take the plunge with Next.js?

In this article, we’ll compare these two approaches, highlighting their pros and cons and helping you decide when to choose each. We’ll also provide practical examples and code snippets to demonstrate the differences.

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What is Liquid?

Liquid is Shopify's templating language, designed specifically for building e-commerce experiences. It’s a robust solution for creating Shopify themes and allows access to essential elements like product information, collections, and checkout processes. Liquid is simple yet powerful and, being server-side, it supports SEO-friendly rendering for search engine optimization.

Pros of Using Liquid

1. Easy Access to Shopify’s Data Layer: Liquid has built-in access to Shopify’s core data, such as products, collections, and customer information, making it easy to build traditional e-commerce templates.

2. Reliable SEO: Liquid templates render on the server side, making them SEO-friendly out of the box.

3. Simplified Development: Liquid provides a straightforward learning curve without requiring JavaScript expertise, making it suitable for beginners or those familiar with HTML.

4. Out-of-the-Box Shopify Support: Because Liquid was designed for Shopify, it supports all Shopify features, from checkout to inventory management.

Cons of Using Liquid

1. Limited Interactivity: Liquid lacks dynamic functionality and relies on JavaScript for interactivity, which can be cumbersome for complex features.

2. Performance Constraints: Since Liquid templates require full page reloads for each interaction, it can affect performance, particularly for complex, dynamic pages.

3. Difficult to Scale: For highly dynamic sites or those requiring a lot of user interactivity, Liquid’s server-side structure may feel limiting.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a popular React framework that enables developers to build both static and dynamic web applications. With built-in support for server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), Next.js has become a powerful option for building fast, interactive, and SEO-friendly applications.

Pros of Using Next.js with Shopify

1. Enhanced Performance: Next.js provides options for SSR and SSG, which can result in faster load times and reduced server requests, enhancing the user experience.

2. Dynamic Interactivity: React components and hooks allow for real-time, interactive interfaces, offering a more engaging user experience.

3. Scalability: With Next.js, you can develop more sophisticated applications that scale easily. Next.js is particularly useful when your store requires custom features or multiple integrations.

4. API-Driven: Next.js uses Shopify’s Storefront API, allowing you to separate the frontend from the backend and create a customized, headless commerce experience.

Cons of Using Next.js with Shopify

1. Requires More Technical Skill: Developing with Next.js demands knowledge of JavaScript, React, and APIs, which can be a steeper learning curve compared to Liquid.

2. Separate Data Fetching Layer: Unlike Liquid, which has direct access to Shopify’s data, Next.js requires data fetching through the Storefront API, adding a layer of complexity.

3. SEO Challenges: Although Next.js offers SSR for SEO optimization, setting up effective SEO practices in a headless environment may require additional configurations.

When to Use Liquid

Liquid remains a great choice for many Shopify stores, particularly when:

- Simplicity is Key: If you’re working with a simple store that doesn’t require extensive customization or interactive features, Liquid is efficient and accessible.

- E-commerce Functionality is a Priority: For traditional e-commerce features, Liquid provides out-of-the-box functionality, making development quick and easy.

- No Advanced JavaScript Skills: If your team is more comfortable with HTML and CSS than JavaScript, Liquid offers a straightforward approach to theme development.

Here’s a basic example of a Shopify Liquid template:

liquid

{% comment %} Product Page in Liquid {% endcomment %}
<div class="product-page">
  <h1>{{ product.title }}</h1>
  <p>{{ product.description }}</p>
  <p>Price: {{ product.price | money }}</p>
  <button class="add-to-cart">Add to Cart</button>
</div>        

When to Use Next.js with Shopify

Next.js shines when:

- Interactivity is Essential: For custom, interactive features like personalized product recommendations or advanced filtering, Next.js enables seamless interactivity.

- Scalability is Required: If you’re building a large store with high traffic or custom backend integrations, Next.js provides better performance and scalability.

- Custom Features and Integrations are Needed: With the flexibility of APIs, Next.js is ideal for stores that require non-standard features or integrations with other platforms.

Setting up Next.js with Shopify’s Storefront API

With Next.js, you can use Shopify's Storefront API to fetch product information. Here’s an example of how you might create a dynamic product page with Next.js:

// pages/product/[id].js

import { useRouter } from 'next/router'
import { useEffect, useState } from 'react'

export default function ProductPage() {
  const [product, setProduct] = useState(null)
  const { query } = useRouter()

  useEffect(() => {
    async function fetchProduct() {
      const res = await fetch(`/api/shopify/products/${query.id}`)
      const data = await res.json()
      setProduct(data.product)
    }
    fetchProduct()
  }, [query.id])

  if (!product) return <p>Loading...</p>
  return (
    <div className="product-page">
      <h1>{product.title}</h1>
      <p>{product.description}</p>
      <p>Price: {product.price}</p>
      <button>Add to Cart</button>
    </div>
  )
}
        

Fetching Data from the Storefront API

In this Next.js setup, you can create an API route to fetch data directly from Shopify’s Storefront API:

// pages/api/shopify/products/[id].js

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  const { id } = req.query
  const response = await fetch(
    `https://your-shopify-store.myshopify.com/api/2023-01/graphql.json`, {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        'X-Shopify-Storefront-Access-Token': process.env.SHOPIFY_STOREFRONT_TOKEN
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        query: `{
          product(id: "gid://shopify/Product/${id}") {
            title
            description
            price
          }
        }`
      })
    }
  )
  const data = await response.json()
  res.status(200).json({ product: data.data.product })
}
        

Final Verdict

When choosing between Liquid and Next.js for Shopify, consider the store's complexity, the skills of your development team, and the user experience you want to deliver. For simple stores or those with fewer custom features, Liquid provides a faster and more accessible solution. However, if you want a scalable, dynamic, and highly interactive site, Next.js offers flexibility and performance benefits that can elevate the user experience.

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Choosing the right technology can make a huge difference in how your Shopify store performs and scales. Both Liquid and Next.js have their unique strengths, and knowing when to use each will help you craft an optimized, engaging e-commerce experience.