Deploying Next.js on Vercel is straightforward, but production reliability depends on setup quality. This guide covers the workflow teams actually use: clean repo, controlled environment variables, domain setup, and post-deploy validation.

Prerequisites

• A Next.js project in GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket
• A Vercel account
• Build passing locally (npm run build)
• Environment variables documented

1. Prepare the Project

Before connecting to Vercel, ensure these basics are clean:

• Remove dead code and debug-only configs
• Confirm next build passes locally
• Verify all required env vars are identified
• Commit a stable branch (main or master)

Recommended checks:

• npm run lint
• npm run build

2. Import the Repository in Vercel

1. Open Vercel dashboard
2. Click Add New Project
3. Import your Git repository
4. Select the correct root directory if this is a monorepo

Vercel usually auto-detects Next.js settings. Keep defaults unless your repo requires custom build paths.

3. Configure Build and Output Settings

For standard Next.js apps, defaults are typically correct:

• Build command: next build
• Install command: package-manager default
• Output: Next.js

Only customize when needed (monorepo workspace, Turborepo filters, custom install steps).

4. Add Environment Variables

This is the most common source of failed deployments.

In Vercel Project Settings -> Environment Variables, add each required key for:

• Development
• Preview
• Production

Examples:

• NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URL
• DATABASE_URL (if used)
• API_SECRET_KEY

Rules:

• Never hardcode secrets in source code
• Keep server-only secrets without NEXT_PUBLIC_ prefix
• Use different values for preview vs production when necessary

5. Deploy

After saving configuration:

1. Trigger initial deployment
2. Watch build logs for missing env vars or route errors
3. Open generated deployment URL and test critical flows

Check:

• Home page and dynamic routes
• API routes
• Metadata and sitemap/robots
• Images and static assets

6. Connect Custom Domain

In Vercel Settings -> Domains:

1. Add your domain
2. Configure DNS records (A/CNAME) with your domain provider
3. Wait for verification and SSL provisioning

Vercel automatically provides HTTPS once DNS is correct.

7. Set Up Preview and Production Workflow

Recommended Git flow:

• main branch -> Production deployment
• Feature branches/PRs -> Preview deployments

This gives every pull request a testable URL and reduces production risk.

8. Common Deployment Issues

Build succeeds locally but fails on Vercel

• Node version mismatch
• Missing environment variables
• Case-sensitive file path issues on Linux

App works but dynamic content is stale

• Check revalidation strategy
• Verify caching settings in route handlers
• Confirm deployment includes latest content files

404 on dynamic routes

• Validate route folder names in app/
• Confirm generateStaticParams logic for SSG pages

9. Post-Deploy Checklist

• Confirm production domain and SSL
• Verify analytics and monitoring
• Test auth/session flow
• Check SEO metadata, sitemap.xml, robots.txt
• Run smoke test on core pages

Official References

• Next.js Deployment: https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/deploying
• Vercel Docs: https://vercel.com/docs

Final Take

Vercel makes Next.js deployment fast, but production quality still depends on process. The winning pattern is simple: reliable build, strict environment management, preview-first testing, then controlled production release.