Deploy your Laravel project easily on Vercel

Deploying a Laravel project on Vercel may seem challenging for many developers, but with the right steps, it’s a straightforward and quick process. In this article, I will guide you through the necessary stages to move your Laravel web application to Vercel, a modern deployment platform optimized for both front-end and back-end applications.

What is Vercel?

Vercel is a platform that enables developers to deploy their projects quickly and efficiently. It is particularly popular among front-end web application developers, but it also offers tools for back-end applications like those built with Laravel. With its optimized infrastructure, Vercel allows developers to focus on building without worrying about server management.

Necessary Preparations for Deployment

Before starting the deployment of your Laravel project on Vercel, there are some preparatory steps you should follow:

1. Install Laravel: Make sure you have a working Laravel project in your local environment.
2. Create a Git repository: If you don't have a repository for your project yet, you should create one. Vercel easily integrates with platforms like GitHub and GitLab.
3. Configure the necessary files: Vercel uses a configuration file called vercel.json to guide the deployment process. This file must be correctly configured so that the platform knows how to handle your application.

Configuring the vercel.json File

The vercel.json file is crucial for informing Vercel how to manage the routes and functions of your application. Below is a basic example of what this file might look like:

{
  "version": 2,
  "routes": [
    {
      "src": "/(.*)",
      "dest": "/public/$1"
    }
  ]
}

In this example, Vercel is instructed to look for files in the public folder, which is where the published versions of your Laravel files are located.

Steps to Deploy Your Laravel Project

1. Link Your Repository to Vercel

To start the deployment process, log in to your Vercel account and select "New Project." Then, connect your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account, and select the repository that contains your Laravel project.

2. Configure Deployment Options

Once you’ve linked your repository, you can configure the deployment options. Vercel allows you to select the branch of the repository you want to deploy (while typically using the main branch).

3. Set Environment Variables

If your application uses environment variables (such as the database connection), make sure to enter them in the corresponding section of Vercel’s configuration. This is essential to ensure your application functions correctly in the production environment.

4. Deploy the Project

Once everything is configured, click the "Deploy" button. Vercel will build your project and deploy it to its platform. You will receive a URL where you can access your published application.

Monitoring and Post-Deployment Adjustments

After the deployment, it’s important to monitor the performance of your application. Vercel provides analytics and monitoring tools that can help you identify any potential issues. Additionally, you can make adjustments and redeploy your application as frequently as necessary.

With this guide, you should be ready to deploy your Laravel project on Vercel without complications. Feel free to consult more resources and specific tutorials to delve deeper into each of the stages of this process.

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