Deploying Next.js App on Netlify in 2025: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners to Pros

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28 Jul 2025

12 min to read

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Next.js

Netlify

deployment

free hosting

deploy

In 2025, deploying a Next.js app will be more powerful and easier than ever, especially using Netlify, a developer-friendly platform that supports serverless functions, edge middleware, custom domains, and continuous deployment. This step-by-step guide walks you through basic to advanced methods to deploy your Next.js application on Netlify. Whether you’re building a static blog, a dynamic SSR app, or a full-stack site, this guide covers it all.

npm install --save-dev @netlify/next

⚡ Fast Global CDN
🔧 Built-in CI/CD
🔁 Serverless & Edge Function Support
🔒 HTTPS by Default
🔄 Instant Rollbacks
📦 Easy Git Integration

Basic Setup: Next.js App

1npx create-next-app@latest nextjs-netlify-demo
2cd nextjs-netlify-demo
3npm run dev

Now, your app runs on. http://localhost:3000.

Step-by-Step Deployment Methods

Method 1: Deploy via Netlify Git Integration (Recommended for Beginners)

✅ Prerequisites:

GitHub account
Netlify account

📌 Steps:

Push Your Code to GitHub

1git init
2git add .
3git commit -m "Initial commit"
4git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/your-repo.git
5git push -u origin main

Log in to Netlify
Go to Netlify Dashboard → Click “Add New Site” → Import from Git
Connect Your GitHub Repository
Select your Next.js repo → Click “Deploy Site”
Build Settings
Build command: npm run build
Publish directory: .next
Set Environment Variables (Optional)
If your app uses .env, add variables in Netlify → Site Settings → Environment variables.

Method 2: Using Netlify CLI (Advanced Manual Deployment)

📌 Install CLI:

1npm install netlify-cli -g
2netlify login

📁 Prepare Static Export (only for SSG apps):

1npm run build
2npm run export

This generates a /out folder with static files.

🚀 Deploy:

1netlify deploy --dir=out

netlify deploy --dir=out

1netlify deploy --prod --dir=out

Method 3: SSR or API Routes? Use Netlify Adapter + Edge Functions.

If you are using SSR, dynamic routes, or API endpoints:

Install the adapter:

1npm install --save-dev @netlify/next

Add the Netlify plugin in next.config.js:

1const { withNetlify } = require('@netlify/next');
2module.exports = withNetlify({
3  // your Next.js config
4});

Add build script:

1"scripts": {
2  "build": "next build && netlify build"
3}

Deploy via GitHub or CLI as before.

Use Environment Variables (Securely)

Go to Site Settings → Environment Variables in Netlify.

1NEXT_PUBLIC_API_KEY=your_key
2DATABASE_URL=your_url

Netlify will inject them automatically during the build process.

Optimize SEO for Next.js on Netlify

Use next/head for meta tags
Add sitemap and robots.txt
Enable incremental static regeneration (ISR) where possible
Use Open Graph Tags and Twitter Cards

Example:

1import Head from 'next/head';
2
3export default function Home() {
4  return (
5    <>
6      <Head>
7        <title>My Next.js Site</title>
8        <meta name="description" content="Deployed on Netlify" />
9        <meta property="og:title" content="My Next.js Site" />
10        <meta property="og:description" content="Built with Next.js & deployed via Netlify" />
11        <meta property="og:image" content="/banner.png" />
12        <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
13      </Head>
14    </>
15  );
16}

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue	Solution
404 on dynamic routes	Use Netlify Functions or adapt SSG/ISR
Environment variables not loading	Ensure they are added in Netlify settings
SSR routes not working	Use Netlify adapter
Build fails	Ensure next build passes locally

Advanced Tips

✅ Enable Netlify Analytics
🔄 Use Build Hooks for automation
🧪 A/B test via Netlify Split Testing
💡 Use Edge Middleware for redirects/auth
🪝 Integrate GitHub Actions for CI/CD

Vercel vs Netlify (2025)

Feature	Netlify	Vercel
Free Tier	Generous	Generous
CI/CD	Built-in	Built-in
SSR Support	With adapter	Native
Edge Functions	Supported	Better optimized
Analytics	Native (paid)	Native (paid)

GitHub Actions CI/CD Workflow for Netlify Deployment

Step 1: Prerequisites

Your Next.js app is hosted on GitHub
Your app is already deployed to Netlify (either via GitHub or manually)
You have a Netlify Personal Access Token and Site ID

Step 2: Generate Netlify Access Token

Go to https://app.netlify.com/user/applications
Scroll to "Personal Access Tokens."
Generate a new token (copy it safely)

Step 3: Get Site ID

Visit your site in Netlify dashboard → Settings → General → Site Information.
Copy the Site ID

Step 4: Add Secrets to GitHub Repo

Go to your GitHub repo → Settings → Secrets → Actions → Add the following secrets:

Name	Value
NETLIFY_AUTH_TOKEN	Your Netlify personal access token
NETLIFY_SITE_ID	Your Netlify site ID

Step 5: Create GitHub Actions Workflow

Create a file in your repo:

📁 .github/workflows/deploy.yml

1name: Deploy Next.js to Netlify
2
3on:
4  push:
5    branches:
6      - main  # or your default branch
7
8jobs:
9  build-deploy:
10    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
11
12    steps:
13      - name: Checkout Repository
14        uses: actions/checkout@v4
15
16      - name: Setup Node.js
17        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
18        with:
19          node-version: 18
20
21      - name: Install Dependencies
22        run: npm install
23
24      - name: Build Project
25        run: npm run build
26
27      - name: Install Netlify CLI
28        run: npm install netlify-cli -g
29
30      - name: Deploy to Netlify
31        run: netlify deploy --dir=.next --prod --auth ${{ secrets.NETLIFY_AUTH_TOKEN }} --site ${{ secrets.NETLIFY_SITE_ID }}

💡 Notes:

If you're using Static Export, change --dir=.next to --dir=out and ensure npm run export It is used after the build.
Adjust node-version If your project uses a different Node.js version.

✅ Result:

Every time you push to main GitHub Actions will:

Install your dependencies
Build your Next.js app
Deploy it to your Netlify site — automatically.

Conclusion

Netlify is one of the best platforms to deploy your Next.js applications—from simple static websites to fully dynamic apps with SSR and edge logic. With proper setup and Netlify tools, your site will be fast, scalable, and ready for production.

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Share with your friends:

Deploying Next.js App on Netlify in 2025: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners to Pros

npm install --save-dev @netlify/next

Basic Setup: Next.js App

Step-by-Step Deployment Methods

Method 1: Deploy via Netlify Git Integration (Recommended for Beginners)

✅ Prerequisites:

📌 Steps:

Method 2: Using Netlify CLI (Advanced Manual Deployment)

📌 Install CLI:

🚀 Deploy:

Method 3: SSR or API Routes? Use Netlify Adapter + Edge Functions.

Use Environment Variables (Securely)

Optimize SEO for Next.js on Netlify

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Advanced Tips

Vercel vs Netlify (2025)

GitHub Actions CI/CD Workflow for Netlify Deployment

Step 1: Prerequisites

Step 2: Generate Netlify Access Token

Step 3: Get Site ID

Step 4: Add Secrets to GitHub Repo

Step 5: Create GitHub Actions Workflow

💡 Notes:

✅ Result:

Conclusion

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