Technologies
Vercel Deployment Services
Vercel is built by the team behind Next.js and it shows — deployments pick up ISR, edge functions, and image optimization without extra configuration that a general-purpose host would require. For most Next.js projects it's the path of least friction from git push to a live URL.
I set up the deployment pipeline, environment variables, custom domains, and preview deployment workflow so every pull request gets its own testable URL before merging.
What a Proper Setup Includes
- checkProduction, preview, and development environment variables kept separate
- checkPreview deployments on every pull request for review before merge
- checkCustom domain configuration with correct DNS and SSL
- checkBuild and deployment notifications wired into the team's workflow
- checkEdge/serverless function configuration where the app uses them
Vercel vs Self-Hosting
Vercel trades some infrastructure control for significantly less operational overhead — no servers to patch, automatic scaling, and native support for Next.js features. Self-hosting on AWS or via Docker makes more sense when you need infrastructure that must live in a specific environment, or when Vercel's pricing at scale becomes a real factor for the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vercel free to use?add
Vercel has a free tier suitable for personal projects and small sites; production applications with real traffic typically move to a paid plan, priced around usage (bandwidth, function execution, team seats).
Can I use a custom domain on Vercel?add
Yes — domains are added directly in the project settings, with DNS records pointed at Vercel; SSL certificates are provisioned and renewed automatically.
Does Vercel work for non-Next.js projects?add
Yes, it supports most modern frameworks (Vite, Remix, static sites), but the deepest feature integration — ISR, edge middleware — is specifically tuned for Next.js.