Next.js on Vercel best practices

Published on September 26, 2025

Next.js on Vercel Best Practices

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Introduction

Next.js, a popular React-based framework, and Vercel, a platform for deploying web applications, are a powerful combination for building fast, scalable, and secure web experiences. However, to get the most out of this duo, it's essential to follow best practices. In this article, we'll cover the key considerations for deploying Next.js applications on Vercel.

Setting Up Your Project

Before we dive into the best practices, let's set up a new Next.js project using the Vercel CLI.

Installing the Vercel CLI

To get started, install the Vercel CLI by running the following command in your terminal:

npm install -g vercel

Initializing a New Next.js Project

Create a new Next.js project by running the following command:

npx create-next-app my-app

Linking Your Vercel Account

Link your Vercel account to your local project by running the following command:

vercel link

Configuration

To get the most out of Vercel, you'll need to configure your Next.js project correctly. Let's cover the key settings.

Environment Variables

When deploying to Vercel, environment variables are not automatically propagated to your Next.js application. To fix this, you'll need to add environment variables to your Vercel project settings. To do this:

  1. Log in to your Vercel dashboard.
  2. Select the project you want to configure.
  3. Click on the "Environment Variables" tab.
  4. Add your environment variables.

Alternatively, you can add environment variables directly to your Next.js project using the next.config.js file:

module.exports = {
  env: {
    API_URL: process.env.API_URL,
  },
};

Next.js Configuration

Next.js provides several configuration options that can be set in the next.config.js file. Let's cover a few key settings:

  • rewrites: Vercel allows you to rewrite URLs using the rewrites option. This can be useful for SEO purposes or to improve user experience.
module.exports = {
  rewrites: [
    {
      source: '/old-url',
      destination: '/new-url',
    },
  ],
};
  • headers: Vercel allows you to set custom HTTP headers using the headers option. This can be useful for security purposes or to improve SEO.
module.exports = {
  headers: [
    {
      source: '/:path*',
      headers: [
        {
          key: 'X-Robots-Tag',
          value: 'noindex',
        },
      ],
    },
  ],
};

Performance Optimization

Vercel provides several features to optimize performance, including automatic code splitting and image optimization. Let's cover a few additional techniques to further improve performance.

Image Optimization

Image optimization is a critical aspect of web performance. To optimize images, you can use a library like sharp or image-webpack-loader. However, Vercel provides an alternative solution using the next-optimized-images plugin.

npm install next-optimized-images

Then, add the following configuration to your next.config.js file:

module.exports = {
  plugins: [
    'next-optimized-images',
  ],
};

Code Splitting

Code splitting is a technique to split large codebases into smaller chunks, reducing the initial payload size and improving page load times. Next.js provides an easy-to-use API for code splitting using the import function.

import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';

const DynamicComponent = dynamic(() => import('path/to/component'));

function HomePage() {
  return (
    <div>
      <DynamicComponent />
    </div>
  );
}

Security

Security is a critical aspect of web development. Let's cover a few key considerations for securing your Next.js application on Vercel.

Authentication

Vercel provides an authentication service that can be used to secure your application. To enable authentication, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Vercel dashboard.
  2. Select the project you want to configure.
  3. Click on the "Authentication" tab.
  4. Follow the instructions to set up authentication.

Alternatively, you can use a library like next-auth to implement authentication in your Next.js application.

npm install next-auth

Then, add the following configuration to your next.config.js file:

module.exports = {
  auth: {
    provider: 'github',
  },
};

SSL/TLS

Vercel provides free SSL/TLS certificates for all projects. However, to ensure that your application uses the correct certificate, you'll need to configure your next.config.js file accordingly:

module.exports = {
  ssl: true,
};

Deployment

Now that you've configured your Next.js project, it's time to deploy it to Vercel. To deploy your project, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Vercel dashboard.
  2. Select the project you want to deploy.
  3. Click on the "Deploy" button.
  4. Follow the instructions to deploy your project.

Alternatively, you can use the Vercel CLI to deploy your project:

vercel deploy

Conclusion

Next.js on Vercel is a powerful combination for building fast, scalable, and secure web experiences. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you'll be able to get the most out of this duo and create web applications that meet the demands of modern users.

Key Takeaways

  • Environment Variables: Add environment variables to your Vercel project settings or next.config.js file to ensure that your Next.js application receives the correct environment variables.
  • Next.js Configuration: Configure your next.config.js file correctly to take advantage of Next.js features like code splitting and image optimization.
  • Performance Optimization: Use techniques like image optimization and code splitting to improve the performance of your Next.js application.
  • Security: Use authentication and SSL/TLS certificates to secure your Next.js application.
  • Deployment: Use the Vercel CLI or dashboard to deploy your Next.js project to Vercel.

By following these best practices, you'll be able to build fast, scalable, and secure web experiences using Next.js and Vercel.

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