5 Common Vercel Deploy Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Avoid Them

Deploying your project on Vercel can feel like a breeze, but it’s easy to trip over some common pitfalls, especially if you’re just starting out. I’ve been there—deploying my first app only to realize I overlooked a few key steps. In this guide, I’ll share five common mistakes beginners make when deploying to Vercel and how to sidestep them effectively.

1. Ignoring Environment Variables

The Mistake:

Many beginners forget to set up their environment variables properly. This can lead to issues where your application runs locally but fails on Vercel due to missing API keys or configuration settings.

How to Avoid It:

Vercel allows you to set environment variables in the dashboard. Go to your project settings, find the "Environment Variables" section, and add the necessary variables for your production and preview environments.

• What We Actually Use: We use environment variables for API keys and database URLs, ensuring they are set up correctly before every deployment.

2. Not Configuring Build Settings

The Mistake:

Another common error is neglecting the build settings, such as specifying the right build command or output directory. This can result in your app not being built correctly, leading to a 404 error after deploying.

How to Avoid It:

In the Vercel dashboard, make sure to specify your build command (like npm run build) and the output directory (often dist or build).

• Pricing: Vercel has a free tier, but you might need the Pro plan ($20/month) if you require advanced features like custom domains and increased serverless function limits.

3. Overlooking Static Files and Assets

The Mistake:

Beginners sometimes forget to include static files, such as images or CSS, which can lead to missing assets in production.

How to Avoid It:

Ensure that your static files are placed in the correct directory (typically public in Next.js) and are referenced correctly in your code. Test your deployment by accessing these files directly in your browser.

Limitations:

Vercel has a 1GB limit for the total size of your static assets, which can be a hurdle if you're working with large media files.

4. Misunderstanding Preview Deployments

The Mistake:

Many new users don’t realize that every pull request creates a preview deployment. If you're not aware of this, you might miss important feedback or not test your changes in an isolated environment.

How to Avoid It:

Leverage preview deployments to test changes before merging. Vercel provides a unique URL for each preview, allowing you to see how your changes will look in production.

• Our Take: We find this feature invaluable for catching issues early, especially when working with a team.

5. Skipping Error Logs and Monitoring

The Mistake:

After deploying, some beginners neglect to check error logs or set up monitoring, which can lead to unresolved issues lingering in production.

How to Avoid It:

Utilize Vercel's logging feature to monitor your deployments and catch errors early. Integrate tools like Sentry or LogRocket to get detailed insights into your application's performance.

What Could Go Wrong:

If you don’t monitor logs, you might miss critical errors that could affect user experience, leading to a loss of users or revenue.

Conclusion

To avoid these common pitfalls, start by ensuring your environment variables are set, configuring your build settings correctly, managing your static files, utilizing preview deployments, and monitoring error logs.

Start Here: If you're new to Vercel, take the time to familiarize yourself with the dashboard and documentation. It can save you a lot of headaches down the line.