Enhancement: Add Featured Images To Next.js Page Apollo Client Example

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Introduction

In this article, we will explore how to add featured images to a Next.js page using Apollo Client. Featured images are a crucial aspect of any blog post, as they provide a visual representation of the content and make it more engaging for readers. However, currently, if you visit a blog post, the featured image does not appear. In this enhancement, we will walk you through the steps to add featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client.

Problem Statement

The current implementation of the blog post page does not display the featured image. This is a significant issue, as featured images are an essential part of any blog post. Without them, the page appears incomplete and unengaging.

Solution

To add featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Required Packages

First, you need to install the required packages. You will need to install @apollo/client and next/image packages.

npm install @apollo/client next/image

Step 2: Create a GraphQL Query

Next, you need to create a GraphQL query to fetch the featured image. You can do this by creating a new file called queries.js and adding the following code:

import { gql } from '@apollo/client';

export const GET_FEATURED_IMAGE = gql`
  query GetFeaturedImage($id: ID!) {
    featuredImage(id: $id) {
      url
    }
  }
`;

Step 3: Create a Component to Display the Featured Image

Now, you need to create a component to display the featured image. You can do this by creating a new file called FeaturedImage.js and adding the following code:

import Image from 'next/image';

const FeaturedImage = ({ url }) => {
  return (
    <div>
      <Image src={url} alt="Featured Image" width={500} height={300} />
    </div>
  );
};

export default FeaturedImage;

Step 4: Use the GraphQL Query to Fetch the Featured Image

Next, you need to use the GraphQL query to fetch the featured image. You can do this by creating a new file called useFeaturedImage.js and adding the following code:

import { useQuery, gql } from '@apollo/client';

const GET_FEATURED_IMAGE = gql`
  query GetFeaturedImage($id: ID!) {
    featuredImage(id: $id) {
      url
    }
  }
`;

const useFeaturedImage = (id) => {
  const { data, loading, error } = useQuery(GET_FEATURED_IMAGE, {
    variables: { id },
  });

  if (loading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return data.featuredImage.url;
};

export default useFeaturedImage;

Step 5: Use the useFeaturedImage Hook to Display the Featured Image

Finally, you need to use the useFeaturedImage hook to display the featured image. You can do this by modifying the BlogPost.js file to include the following code:

import useFeaturedImage from '../hooks/useFeaturedImage';

const BlogPost = ({ id }) => {
  const url = useFeaturedImage(id);

  return (
    <div>
      <FeaturedImage url={url} />
    </div>
  );
};

export default BlogPost;

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to add featured images to a Next.js page using Apollo Client. We have walked through the steps to create a GraphQL query, create a component to display the featured image, use the GraphQL query to fetch the featured image, and use the useFeaturedImage hook to display the featured image. With these steps, you can now add featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client.

Benefits

The benefits of adding featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client include:

  • Improved User Experience: Featured images make your blog post more engaging and visually appealing, improving the user experience.
  • Increased Engagement: Featured images can increase engagement by making your blog post more shareable and memorable.
  • Better SEO: Featured images can improve your blog post's SEO by making it more discoverable and relevant to search engines.

Future Work

In the future, we can improve this enhancement by:

  • Adding Support for Multiple Featured Images: Currently, this enhancement only supports a single featured image. In the future, we can add support for multiple featured images.
  • Improving Performance: Currently, this enhancement uses a GraphQL query to fetch the featured image. In the future, we can improve performance by caching the featured image or using a more efficient data fetching strategy.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to add featured images to a Next.js page using Apollo Client. In this Q&A article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this enhancement.

Q: What is the purpose of adding featured images to a Next.js page?

A: The purpose of adding featured images to a Next.js page is to improve the user experience, increase engagement, and improve SEO. Featured images make your blog post more visually appealing and memorable, making it more shareable and discoverable by search engines.

Q: How do I add a featured image to my Next.js page using Apollo Client?

A: To add a featured image to your Next.js page using Apollo Client, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Install the required packages, including @apollo/client and next/image.
  2. Create a GraphQL query to fetch the featured image.
  3. Create a component to display the featured image.
  4. Use the GraphQL query to fetch the featured image.
  5. Use the useFeaturedImage hook to display the featured image.

Q: What is the difference between a featured image and a regular image?

A: A featured image is a special type of image that is displayed prominently on a page, such as a blog post. It is typically larger and more visually appealing than a regular image. A regular image is a smaller image that is used to illustrate a point or provide additional context.

Q: Can I use a different image library instead of next/image?

A: Yes, you can use a different image library instead of next/image. However, next/image is a popular and well-maintained library that is specifically designed for use with Next.js. It provides a number of features and benefits, including automatic image optimization and lazy loading.

Q: How do I cache the featured image to improve performance?

A: To cache the featured image, you can use a library such as react-query or apollo-cache. These libraries provide a number of features and benefits, including automatic caching and invalidation.

Q: Can I add multiple featured images to a single page?

A: Yes, you can add multiple featured images to a single page. However, this may require additional configuration and customization to ensure that the images are displayed correctly.

Q: How do I handle errors when fetching the featured image?

A: To handle errors when fetching the featured image, you can use a library such as apollo-client or react-query. These libraries provide a number of features and benefits, including automatic error handling and retry logic.

Q: Can I use this enhancement with other Apollo Client features?

A: Yes, you can use this enhancement with other Apollo Client features, such as caching and optimistic updates. However, you may need to configure and customize the enhancement to work correctly with these features.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client is a powerful enhancement that can improve the user experience, increase engagement, and improve SEO. By following the steps outlined in this Q&A article, you can answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this enhancement and get started with implementing it in your own project.

Additional Resources

For more information about adding featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client, you can check out the following resources:

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding featured images to your Next.js page using Apollo Client is a powerful enhancement that can improve the user experience, increase engagement, and improve SEO. By following the steps outlined in this Q&A article, you can answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this enhancement and get started with implementing it in your own project.