Building a Modern Portfolio Website with Next.js
As a frontend developer, creating a standout portfolio is essential. I'm Debmalya Biswas, and in this article, I'll share my journey of building a modern, performant portfolio website using Next.js 14 and cutting-edge frontend technologies.
Why I Chose Next.js
When I started planning my portfolio website, I knew I needed a framework that could deliver exceptional performance while providing great developer experience. Next.js was the perfect choice for several reasons:
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) for SEO
As Debmalya Biswas, a frontend developer focused on creating accessible and discoverable web experiences, SEO was crucial for my portfolio. Next.js's built-in SSR capabilities ensure that search engines can properly crawl and index my content.
Performance Out of the Box
Next.js provides automatic code splitting, optimized image loading, and excellent caching strategies. These features were essential for creating a fast, responsive portfolio that showcases my frontend development skills.
Tech Stack Breakdown
Here's the complete tech stack I used for the Debmalya Biswas portfolio:
- Framework: Next.js 14 with App Router
- Styling: Tailwind CSS for utility-first styling
- Animations: Framer Motion for smooth, performant animations
- UI Components: Radix UI for accessible component primitives
- 3D Graphics: Three.js with React Three Fiber for interactive elements
- TypeScript: Full type safety across the codebase
Key Features Implemented
1. Hero Section with 3D Elements
I implemented an interactive 3D orb using Three.js that responds to mouse movements, creating an engaging first impression.
2. Responsive Design
The portfolio is fully responsive, providing an optimal viewing experience across all devices - from mobile phones to large desktop screens.
3. Dark Mode Support
Using next-themes, I implemented a seamless dark mode that respects user preferences.
4. Performance Optimization
- Image optimization with next/image
- Code splitting and lazy loading
- Efficient font loading with next/font
- Minimal JavaScript bundle size
SEO Optimization Strategies
As a frontend SDE, I understand the importance of discoverability. Here's how I optimized the Debmalya Biswas website for search engines:
1. Semantic HTML: Proper use of HTML5 semantic elements
2. Meta Tags: Comprehensive Open Graph and Twitter Card metadata
3. Structured Data: JSON-LD schema for rich search results
4. Sitemap: Automatically generated sitemap for search crawlers
5. Performance: Lighthouse score of 95+ for optimal ranking
Lessons Learned
Building this portfolio taught me valuable lessons about:
- Balancing aesthetics with performance
- Progressive enhancement for better accessibility
- The importance of meaningful animations
- Optimizing for Core Web Vitals
Conclusion
Creating the Debmalya Biswas portfolio website was an enriching experience that allowed me to showcase my frontend development skills while learning advanced Next.js patterns. If you're a fellow SDE or frontend developer looking to build your own portfolio, I highly recommend Next.js as your framework of choice.
The source code is available on my GitHub, and I'm always happy to connect with fellow developers. Feel free to reach out!
*About the Author: Debmalya Biswas is a frontend developer specializing in React, Next.js, and modern web technologies. With expertise in building performant, accessible web applications, Debmalya focuses on creating exceptional user experiences.*