Server Side Rendering and SEO in Nuxt.js

1. Introduction

This tutorial aims to guide you through the process of setting up Server Side Rendering (SSR) in Nuxt.js and understanding its impact on Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

By the end of this tutorial, you will learn:
- What is Server Side Rendering (SSR) and how it works in Nuxt.js
- How to set up SSR in a Nuxt.js application
- How SSR can improve the SEO of your Nuxt.js application

Prerequisites:
- Basic knowledge of JavaScript and Vue.js
- Familiarity with Nuxt.js would be helpful

2. Step-by-Step Guide

2.1. Understanding SSR

SSR is the process where a client-side application is run on the server first. The server then sends a fully rendered page to the client, which improves SEO by allowing web crawlers to see the fully rendered page.

Nuxt.js makes the implementation of SSR easy. When you create a Nuxt.js application, SSR is enabled by default.

2.2. Setting Up SSR in Nuxt.js

To create an SSR application in Nuxt.js, you simply run the command npx create-nuxt-app <project-name>. The new project will have SSR enabled by default.

3. Code Examples

3.1. Example: Creating a Nuxt.js SSR Application

# Create a new Nuxt.js application
npx create-nuxt-app my-ssr-app

After running this command, you will have a new Nuxt.js application with SSR enabled.

3.2. Example: Page Components

In Nuxt.js, every Vue file in the pages directory becomes a route of the application.

// pages/index.vue
<template>
  <h1>Hello Nuxt.js!</h1>
</template>

This file will be served by the server when you visit http://localhost:3000.

4. Summary

In this tutorial, you have learned about Server Side Rendering (SSR) in Nuxt.js and its importance for SEO. You've learned how to create a new SSR application in Nuxt.js, and how to create page components.

Next, you could dive deeper into Nuxt.js and learn about its features like async data, middleware, modules, and plugins.

5. Practice Exercises

1. Exercise: Create a new Nuxt.js application with SSR enabled and create a new page route.

Solution:

# Create a new Nuxt.js application
npx create-nuxt-app my-ssr-app

# Create a new page route
echo '<template><h1>About Page</h1></template>' > pages/about.vue

After running these commands, you will have a new page route at http://localhost:3000/about.

1. Exercise: Add a dynamic route to your Nuxt.js application.

Solution:

// pages/posts/_id.vue
<template>
  <h1>Post {{ $route.params.id }}</h1>
</template>

After creating this file, you can visit http://localhost:3000/posts/1 to see the post with ID 1.

1. Exercise: Fetch data from an API and display it in a page.

Solution:

// pages/posts/_id.vue
<template>
  <div v-if="loading">Loading...</div>
  <div v-else>
    <h1>{{ post.title }}</h1>
    <p>{{ post.body }}</p>
  </div>
</template>

<script>
export default {
  data() {
    return {
      loading: false,
      post: null
    };
  },
  async asyncData({ params }) {
    const res = await fetch(`https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/${params.id}`);
    const post = await res.json();
    return { post };
  }
};
</script>

After creating this file, you can visit http://localhost:3000/posts/1 to see the post with ID 1 fetched from the API.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep trying out new things in Nuxt.js and you'll become proficient in no time!