What Is Edge Side Rendering?

Edge side rendering (ESR) is a web performance optimization technique that involves rendering web pages on a server located near the end user, rather than on the client device. In ESR, the server takes on the role of the client, rendering the web page and delivering a pre-rendered version to the user's device. This approach can result in faster page load times and a better user experience, particularly for users with slower internet connections or less powerful devices.

ESR works by using a proxy server, typically located at the edge of the network, to intercept and render web pages before they are delivered to the user's device. The proxy server can be configured to use a variety of rendering engines, including browsers like Chrome or Firefox, to create a fully-rendered version of the web page. Once the page is rendered, the server delivers a pre-rendered version to the user's device, which can be displayed immediately without the need for additional processing or rendering.

Key Benefits of ESR

One key benefit of ESR is its ability to improve page load times, which can have a significant impact on user engagement and retention. By reducing the amount of processing and rendering required on the client device, ESR can make web pages load faster, leading to a better user experience and lower bounce rates.

Another benefit of ESR is its ability to reduce the load on the client device, particularly for users with less powerful devices or slower internet connections. By offloading the rendering and processing to the server, ESR can help to ensure that web pages are delivered quickly and efficiently, even on less powerful devices.

Faster Content Personalization for Retail and eCommerce

ESR is particularly important for retail and eCommerce because these industries rely heavily on delivering high-quality web experiences to customers. Online shoppers are known to have little patience for slow-loading web pages or poor user experiences, and may quickly abandon their shopping carts or switch to a competitor's site if they encounter these issues. Overall, ESR is a valuable tool for eCommerce and retail businesses looking to improve the performance and user experience of their web applications. By leveraging the power of edge computing and pre-rendering, businesses can deliver fast, engaging, and seamless experiences with content personalization to customers, driving long-term success and growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, edge side rendering is a web performance optimization technique that involves rendering web pages on a server located near the end user, rather than on the client device. This approach can result in faster page load times, a better user experience, and reduced load on the client device. Macrometa's hyper distributed cloud provides the architecture needed to support ESR, enabling businesses to improve the performance and user experience of their web applications. Find out more today by chatting with one of our solution architects.