Next JS Links Sending Users to Wrong Page on Firebase Hosting? Let’s Fix This!

Are you tired of seeing your users being redirected to the wrong page when clicking on links in your Next.js application hosted on Firebase? Well, you’re not alone! This issue has been plaguing developers for a while, and it’s time we tackle it once and for all. In this article, we’ll dive into the common causes of this problem and provide step-by-step solutions to get your links working correctly.

Understanding the Issue

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s understand what’s happening behind the scenes. When you deploy your Next.js application to Firebase Hosting, Firebase rewrites the URLs to make them SEO-friendly and enable server-side rendering (SSR). This rewriting process can sometimes cause links to malfunction, leading to the dreaded “wrong page” issue.

Firebase Hosting and URL Rewriting

Firebase Hosting uses a technique called URL rewriting to handle client-side routing. When a user requests a URL, Firebase checks if it matches a pattern in your `firebase.json` file. If it does, Firebase rewrites the URL to point to your Next.js application’s server-side rendered (SSR) version.

// firebase.json
{
  "hosting": {
    "rewrites": [
      {
        "source": "**",
        "destination": "/index.html"
      }
    ]
  }
}

In this example, any URL request will be rewritten to point to the `index.html` file. This allows Next.js to handle client-side routing and enables SSR.

Common Causes of the “Wrong Page” Issue

Now that we understand how Firebase Hosting works, let’s explore some common reasons why your links might be sending users to the wrong page:

• Incorrect relative URLs: When using relative URLs in your links, Next.js might misinterpret them, leading to incorrect redirects.
• Lack of trailing slashes: Firebase Hosting treats URLs with and without trailing slashes differently, which can cause links to malfunction.
• Missing or incorrect href attributes: Failing to provide a valid `href` attribute or using incorrect syntax can result in broken links.
• Server-side rendering issues: If your Next.js application has server-side rendering (SSR) issues, it can affect how links are handled.
• Firebase Hosting configuration: Misconfigured `firebase.json` files or incorrect hosting settings can cause links to behave erratically.

Solving the “Wrong Page” Issue

Now that we’ve identified the common causes, let’s dive into the solutions!

Solution 1: Use Absolute URLs

To avoid relative URL issues, use absolute URLs in your links. This tells Next.js to generate the correct URL for the link.

import Link from 'next/link';

function MyLink() {
  return (
    <Link href="https://example.com/about">
      <a>About Us</a>
    </Link>
  );
}

Solution 2: Add Trailing Slashes

Make sure to add trailing slashes to your URLs to avoid any ambiguity. Firebase Hosting treats URLs with and without trailing slashes differently, so it’s essential to be consistent.

import Link from 'next/link';

function MyLink() {
  return (
    <Link href="/about/>
      <a>About Us</a>
    </Link>
  );
}

Solution 3: Verify Correct href Attributes

Double-check that you’re providing valid `href` attributes in your links. Make sure the syntax is correct, and the URL is properly formed.

import Link from 'next/link';

function MyLink() {
  return (
    <Link href={{ pathname: '/about/', query: { foo: 'bar' } }}>
      <a>About Us</a>
    </Link>
  );
}

Solution 4: Optimize Server-Side Rendering

If you’re experiencing SSR issues, ensure that your Next.js application is correctly configured. Check your `next.config.js` file and verify that SSR is enabled.

module.exports = {
  target: 'serverless',
  // Enable SSR
  experimental: {
    ssr: true,
  },
};

Solution 5: Review Firebase Hosting Configuration

Verify that your `firebase.json` file is correctly configured. Make sure the `rewrites` section is pointing to the correct location.

{
  "hosting": {
    "rewrites": [
      {
        "source": "**",
        "destination": "/index.html"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Additional Tips and Tricks

To further optimize your Next.js application and avoid link issues, consider the following tips:

1. Use the next/link component: Next.js provides a built-in `Link` component that helps handle client-side routing and SSR. Use it whenever possible.
2. Utilize the next/router module: The `next/router` module provides a way to manage client-side routing and programmatically navigate between pages.
3. Implement proper redirects: Use the `next/redirect` module to handle redirects correctly and avoid broken links.
4. Test thoroughly: Test your application extensively to catch any link issues before deploying to production.

Conclusion

There you have it! With these solutions and tips, you should be able to resolve the “wrong page” issue in your Next.js application hosted on Firebase. Remember to use absolute URLs, add trailing slashes, verify correct `href` attributes, optimize server-side rendering, and review Firebase Hosting configuration. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your links are working correctly and your users are directed to the right page.

Solution	Description
Use Absolute URLs	Avoid relative URL issues by using absolute URLs in links.
Add Trailing Slashes	Consistently use trailing slashes in URLs to avoid ambiguity.
Verify Correct href Attributes	Ensure that `href` attributes are valid and correctly formatted.
Optimize Server-Side Rendering	Verify that SSR is correctly configured in your Next.js application.
Review Firebase Hosting Configuration	Check that your `firebase.json` file is correctly configured.

By following these solutions and tips, you’ll be well on your way to fixing the “wrong page” issue and providing a seamless user experience for your Next.js application on Firebase Hosting.

Here are the 5 questions and answers about “Next JS Links sending users to wrong page on Firebase Hosting”:

Frequently Asked Question

Got stuck with Next JS links directing users to the wrong page on Firebase Hosting? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check out these FAQs to troubleshoot the issue.