Why Lighthouse Scores Matter
Lighthouse scores aren't just numbers. They directly impact Google search rankings and are closely tied to user bounce rates.
5 Core Optimizations
1. Image Optimization with next/image
Replace all images with the next/image component. It automatically handles WebP conversion, lazy loading, and responsive sizing.
2. Font Optimization
Using next/font optimizes font files at build time and solves FOUT/FOIT issues.
3. Code Splitting with Dynamic Imports
Lazy-load components not needed for initial render using next/dynamic.
4. Server Components
Next.js App Router server components send zero JavaScript to the client.
5. ISR Caching Strategy
Apply ISR to pages that don't change frequently for static generation with periodic updates.
Results
Applying these 5 optimizations will get most Next.js projects to Lighthouse Performance 90+.