Building a Modern Personal Blog with Next.js

•2 min read
nextjsweb developmenttutorialblog

This is an example article demonstrating how to build a modern personal blog using Next.js, MDX, and Tailwind CSS.

Introduction

Personal blogs are making a comeback. In an age of social media algorithms and content platforms, having your own space on the web is more valuable than ever.

Why Next.js?

Next.js provides excellent tooling for building static sites:

  • Static Site Generation: Pre-render pages at build time
  • MDX Support: Write content in Markdown with React components
  • Image Optimization: Automatic image optimization
  • Great DX: Excellent developer experience

Setting Up the Project

First, create a new Next.js project:

npx create-next-app@latest my-blog --typescript --tailwind --app

Then install the necessary dependencies for MDX processing.

Content Management

Organize your content in a content/ directory:

  • Notes: Short, frequent posts
  • Articles: Longer, evergreen pieces
  • Projects: Portfolio items

Each content type can have its own structure and metadata.

Customization

One of the benefits of building your own blog is the ability to customize everything. You can:

  • Create custom layouts for specific articles
  • Add interactive components
  • Style everything exactly how you want

Conclusion

Building your own blog gives you complete control over your content and presentation. While it requires more effort than using a platform, the benefits are worth it.