How to Deploy a Next.js Application on Vercel

Next.js is the most popular and powerful React framework for building modern web applications. It’s fast, efficient, and comes with features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes. Vercel, the creator of Next.js, offers the easiest and most optimized platform for deploying Next.js applications. In this article, we’ll follow the steps to deploy a Next.js application on Vercel.

Why Choose Vercel for Deploying Next.js?

Vercel is the ideal platform for deploying Next.js applications because it:

• Offers seamless integration with Next.js.

• Handles server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG) out of the box.

• Provides automatic scaling, ensuring your app is fast and available worldwide.

• Supports CI/CD workflows, so every time you push changes to your repository, your app is automatically redeployed.

• Includes a built-in CDN, improving the speed and performance of your application.

Steps to Deploy a Next.js Application on Vercel

Step 1: Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

• Node.js installed on your system (recommended version: 18 or higher).

• A GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account.

• A Next.js application ready for deployment. If you don’t have one, you can create a sample app by running:

Step 2: Push Your Code to a Git Repository

1. Initialize a git repository in your Next.js project folder:

2. Add all files to the repository:

3. Commit the changes:

4. Push your code to a remote repository on GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket:

Step 3: Create a Vercel Account

1. Go to the Vercel website.

2. Sign up or log in using your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account.

3. Once logged in, you’ll be redirected to the Vercel dashboard.

Step 4: Deploy Your Application

1. On the Vercel dashboard, click the New Project button.

2. Connect your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account to Vercel by granting the required permissions.

3. Select the repository containing your Next.js project.

4. Configure the project settings (optional):
   1. Ensure the Framework Preset is set to Next.js.
   2. Review the build and output settings. By default, Vercel automatically detects and configures the correct settings for a Next.js app.

5. Click Deploy. Vercel will now build and deploy your application.

Step 5: View Your Deployed Application

Once the deployment is complete:

1. Vercel will provide a live URL for your application (e.g., https://your-project-name.vercel.app).

2. You can share this URL with others or use it for further testing.

Additional Features and Configuration

Custom Domains

To add a custom domain to your application:

1. Go to the Domains tab in your Vercel project dashboard.

2. Click Add Domain, then either register a new domain or configure an existing one.

3. Follow the provided instructions to update your DNS records.

Environment Variables

If your Next.js application uses environment variables:

1. Go to the Settings tab in your Vercel project dashboard.

2. Navigate to Environment Variables.

3. Add your environment variables and specify the deployment environment (e.g., Production, Preview, or Development).

Built-in Analytics

Vercel also offers built-in analytics which helps you to track your app’s performance and visitors.

Conclusion

Deploying a Next.js application on Vercel is fast, efficient, and developer-friendly. With Vercel’s powerful features like serverless functions, automatic scaling, and global CDN, you can ensure your app is performant and reliable for users worldwide. Follow the steps outlined above, and your Next.js app will be live in minutes!