Vercel makes deployment effortless. Connect a GitHub repository and every push automatically deploys a live preview. For designers, this means seeing your work in a real browser environment, sharing interactive links with stakeholders, and reviewing design implementations before they go live. No server configuration, no complex setup - just push and preview.
1. Connecting Your GitHub Repository to Vercel
Getting started with Vercel takes about two minutes:
Sign Up with GitHub
Go to vercel.com and click 'Sign Up'. Choose 'Continue with GitHub'. This connects your accounts and lets Vercel access your repositories. The free tier is generous for personal projects. Please note that Github and Vercel can be linked later on if you prefer to create an account with email.
Import a Project
Click 'Add New Project' and select a repository. Vercel detects the framework automatically (Next.js, React, Vue, etc.) and configures build settings. For most projects, the defaults work perfectly.
Configure Project Settings
Name your project (this becomes part of the URL). Set environment variables if needed (API keys, etc.). Choose a root directory if your code isn't at the repository root. Often for a new project, these can be left as the default values.
First Deployment
Click 'Deploy'. Vercel clones your repo, installs dependencies, builds the project, and deploys it globally. Within minutes, you have a live URL like project-name.vercel.app.
2. Deploying Your First Project in Minutes
Understanding the deployment process helps you work more efficiently:
Automatic Deployments
Once connected, every push to your main branch triggers a production deployment. Push to any other branch and get a preview deployment. No manual steps needed - just push your code.
Build Process
Vercel runs your build command (like 'npm run build'), then deploys the output. Build logs show exactly what's happening. If something fails, logs tell you why.
Instant Global Distribution
Vercel deploys to edge servers worldwide. Users load your site from the nearest location. This means fast load times everywhere, not just near your server.
Rollback Capability
Every deployment is saved. If something breaks, instantly rollback to any previous version from the dashboard. Click a deployment and select 'Promote to Production'.
3. Using Preview Deployments for Design Reviews
Preview deployments are incredibly powerful for design collaboration:
What Are Preview Deployments
Every Pull Request gets its own unique URL - a complete working version of your project with that PR's changes. Share this URL with anyone to review before merging.
Design Review Workflow
Developer creates PR → Vercel deploys preview → Designer reviews at preview URL → Designer approves or requests changes → PR merges → Production deploys. This catches design issues before they reach users.
Comments on Previews
Vercel's toolbar lets you comment directly on the preview. Click anywhere and leave feedback. Comments appear on the PR in GitHub. It's like annotating a Figma file, but on the live site.
Testing Across Devices
Preview URLs work on any device. Test on your phone, share with stakeholders on different browsers, verify responsive behavior. Real devices show things simulators miss.
4. Configuring Custom Domains and Settings
Make your deployment production-ready with custom configuration:
Adding a Custom Domain
In project settings, go to Domains. Add your domain (like yoursite.com). Vercel provides DNS records to add at your registrar. Once configured, your site is accessible at your domain with automatic HTTPS.
Environment Variables
Store API keys and secrets as environment variables. They're encrypted and only available during build and runtime. Never commit secrets to your repository - use environment variables instead.
Build and Development Settings
Customize build command, output directory, and install command if needed. Set Node.js version. Configure redirects and headers. Most projects work with defaults, but you have full control.
Team Collaboration
Invite team members to your Vercel project. Control who can deploy to production. Set up deployment protection to require approval before production deploys. Enterprise features add SSO and audit logs.
Key Takeaways
- Connect GitHub once and every push auto-deploys
- Preview deployments give every Pull Request its own live URL
- Use preview URLs for design reviews before merging to production
- Custom domains are simple to configure with automatic HTTPS
- Rollback instantly to any previous deployment if issues arise