When I first ventured into deploying modern web applications, I found Netlify to be a game-changer for managing deployments. It offers a streamlined process that removes many traditional headaches associated with deployment. If you’re looking to get started with Netlify for your web app, I’m here to walk you through the steps I took.

Step 1: Create Your Project

First things first, ensure you have your project ready. I recommend using a framework like React, Vue.js, or Angular, but Netlify can work seamlessly with static sites as well. For demonstration purposes, I’ll assume you’re working with a React app.

  1. Set up your React app (if you haven’t done this yet):

    npx create-react-app my-app
cd my-app
npm run build

    The npm run build command generates a build folder containing your production-ready assets.

Step 2: Sign Up for Netlify

Head over to Netlify and sign up for an account. They offer free and paid plans, which you can evaluate based on your needs.

Step 3: Connect to Your Git Repository

  1. Create a Git repository for your project if you haven’t already:

    git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"

    Push this repository to GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

  2. Link your repository to Netlify:

    • Once logged into Netlify, click the “New site from Git” button.
    • Choose your Git provider and authenticate if required.
    • Find your repository in the list and select it.

Step 4: Configure Your Build Settings

On the next screen, you’ll be prompted to set up your build settings. Here’s a breakdown of what to enter:

Field Value
Branch to deploy main
Build command npm run build
Publish directory build

After entering these, click “Deploy site.”

Step 5: Deploying Your Site

Your site will now be deployed. Netlify will build your application, and after a few moments, you will receive a live URL where your app is hosted.

Step 6: Continuous Deployment

One of my favorite features of Netlify is its automatic deployment on every push to the selected branch. Here’s how it works:

  • Once set up, every time you push changes to your GitHub repo, Netlify will rebuild and redeploy your site.
  • You can monitor the build logs right from the Netlify dashboard, which is super helpful for troubleshooting.

Step 7: Customize Your Domain (Optional)

To set a custom domain:

  1. Go to the “Domain settings” on your site dashboard.
  2. Click “Add custom domain.”
  3. Follow the prompts to add and verify your domain.

Quotes to Remember

“Deployment should be as easy as git push.” - [Some Industry Leader]

Final Thoughts

Getting your modern web app up and running on Netlify takes just a few steps, but the benefits last long after your site goes live. From automated deployments to easy CDN integration, Netlify is a robust platform worth considering for your next project.

For more nuanced features like serverless functions or form handling, be sure to check out the Netlify documentation for detailed guidance. Happy deploying!

Find more of my blogs at https://nadbn.com/blog