Deploying Next.js apps to Vercel

This post covers the main notes for deploying to Vercel and domain setup.

Prerequisites

• Next.js app bootstrapped

Deployment

Add a new project, import the Git repository, choose Next.js as the framework preset, set up environment variables, and trigger the deployment.

The deployed project will be available at <PROJECT_NAME>.vercel.app or <PROJECT_NAME>-<SUFFIX>.vercel.app URL.

The deployment happens every time new changes are pushed to the production branch.

Preview will be available when changes are pushed to a branch other than the production one.

DNS setup

A purchased domain is needed. You can buy it at Namecheap website.

Add a domain at the Project settings → Domains page.

Go to Account → Dashboard → Manage → Advanced DNS page for the purchased domain on the Namecheap website. Create two records

• A record with @ host to point to Vercel server IP address with the specified value (76.76.21.21)
• CNAME record with www host and specified value (cname.vercel-dns.com)

It might take some time for the changes to apply.

Alternative

• Deploying Next.js apps to Netlify

Boilerplate

Here is the link to the boilerplate I use for the development.