Vercel: A Platform
for Frontend
Developers
Vercel is a cloud platform that helps frontend developers
deploy websites and web apps easily. It’s designed for
developers working with modern JavaScript frameworks like
Next.js, React, Vue, and more. Vercel takes care of all the
backend setup, allowing developers to focus only on writing
code without worrying about servers.
by zulfa zahareen
What is Vercel?
Next.js, React, and Vue.js with Vercel
• Next.js: Vercel created Next.js, so it works perfectly on the platform. It supports features like
creating pages when users need them (server-side rendering) and pre-building pages for faster
loading (static site generation). Vercel makes deploying Next.js apps easy, fast, and scalable
• across
React:the world.
Vercel makes it simple to deploy React apps, like those built with Create React App. It
helps React apps run smoothly by handling things like moving between pages (routing) and getting
data from servers (data fetching).
• Vue.js: Vercel also supports Vue.js apps. You don’t need to worry about the technical details—
Vercel takes care of deployment, scaling, and making sure the app runs well.
Why is Vercel Popular?
Seamless Integration Zero Configuration Serverless Functions
Vercel seamlessly integrates No need to manually set up Easily add backend logic like
with popular frontend servers. Vercel handles all APIs or form handling
frameworks like Next.js, configurations automatically without managing servers.
React, and Vue.js. when you deploy allowing
developers to focus on
building their applications.
Global Edge Network Preview Deployments
Vercel's global edge network delivers content Preview deployments enable developers to
quickly, enhancing user experience like load test and share changes before going live.
times for users everywhere.
The Vercel Workflow
1 Project Setup
Start by linking your project to a Git repository (like
GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket).
2 Automated Builds
Once your code is pushed to the repository, Vercel
automatically builds and deploys the project.
3 Continuous Deployment
Every time you push changes to your code, Vercel
automatically rebuilds and deploys the latest version,
ensuring your site is always updated.
4 Preview Deployments
For each change, you get a unique preview URL to test
and share before final deployment.
Deployment Strategies
Static Site Deployment Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
Simple websites with just static files like HTML, CSS, and Vercel can also handle SSR, which generates web pages on-
JavaScript Vercel can deploy it quickly and easily across its demand when a user requests them. This is useful for
global network. dynamic content. SSR provides flexibility and
responsiveness.
Static Site Generation (SSG) Continuous Deployment
Pre-generate static pages ahead of time and serve them Every time you update your code, Vercel automatically
quickly, combining the benefits of static sites and dynamic deploys the latest version. Ensuring your website is always
content.thereby provides optimal speed and efficiency. up-to-date.
Key Features
Serverless Functions
Allows you to run backend code without needing to manage servers, ideal for APIs, form handling, etc.
streamlining workflows and reducing overhead.
Real-Time Collaboration
Vercel offers preview URLs for every deployment, enables real-time collaboration, allowing developers to
share changes instantly and receive feedback.
Performance Analytics
Built-in tools help monitor how well your site is performing, providing insights like load times and user
experience data and other performance metrics for continuous optimization.
Automatic Scaling
Vercel automatically scales your site based on traffic, ensuring smooth performance without manual intervention.
Best Practices for Optimizing Vercel Buil
Caching
1 Implement caching mechanisms to store frequently accessed data, reducing server load
and improving response times.
Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)
2 Utilize ISR to dynamically update specific parts of static pages,
ensuring fresh content while maintaining fast load times.
Smart Build Techniques
Employ techniques like tree shaking and code
3
splitting to reduce bundle sizes, leading to faster
downloads and better performance.
Pricing and Plans
Free Plan Paid Plan
Great for small projects, Start with a Pro Plan for
personal websites, or hobby more advanced use cases,
projects. Offers unlimited like larger-scale
deployments but with limits applications, more
on bandwidth and bandwidth, and more
serverless function frequent serverless function
execution. usage. Enterprise Plans:
Custom plans for
businesses that need a lot
more scalability, security,
and advanced features.
