Introduction

Deploying a Vue.js application on Netlify is a highly efficient way to host your modern web projects with ease, speed, and scalability. Vue.js, a popular JavaScript framework, enables developers to create interactive user interfaces and single-page applications (SPAs). Netlify, on the other hand, is a powerful platform that simplifies web deployment by providing continuous deployment, serverless functions, and global CDN hosting.

Understanding how to deploy a Vue app on Netlify is essential for developers aiming to streamline their workflow and deliver fast, reliable web experiences. This tutorial will guide you through the process step-by-step, highlight best practices, introduce useful tools, and offer real examples to help you master Vue deployment on Netlify.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Vue Application

Before deploying, ensure your Vue.js app is production-ready. If you haven’t created a Vue app yet, start by using Vue CLI:

Command to create a new Vue app:

vue create my-vue-app

Follow the prompts to select your preferred presets or configurations. Once your app is ready, navigate into the project directory:

cd my-vue-app

Step 2: Build Your Vue App for Production

Netlify serves static files, so you need to compile your Vue app into static assets. Run the build command:

npm run build

This generates a dist folder containing your compiled application. The dist directory is what you will deploy to Netlify.

Step 3: Create a Git Repository

If your project is not already in a Git repository, initialize one and commit your code. This step is crucial because Netlify integrates seamlessly with Git platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.

Initialize git and commit:

git init

git add .

git commit -m "Initial commit"

Push your code to a remote repository:

git remote add origin <your-repo-url>

git push -u origin main

Step 4: Connect Your Repository to Netlify

Go to Netlify’s dashboard and log in or create an account. Click on “New site from Git” and select your Git provider.

Authorize Netlify to access your repository, then choose the Vue project repository you want to deploy.

Step 5: Configure Build Settings on Netlify

In the build settings pane, set the following:

• Build command: npm run build
• Publish directory: dist

These settings tell Netlify how to build your Vue app and where to find the files to serve.

Step 6: Deploy the Site

Click “Deploy site”. Netlify will clone your repository, run the build command, and deploy your app automatically.

Once deployment is complete, Netlify provides a unique URL where your Vue app is live. You can customize this domain later in the site settings.

Step 7: Configure SPA Fallback for Vue Router

If your Vue app uses Vue Router in history mode, you need to handle client-side routing correctly on Netlify. Create a _redirects file inside the public folder or at the root of your dist directory with this content:

/&

42; /index.html 200

This rule ensures that all routes are redirected to index.html, allowing Vue Router to manage navigation.

Step 8: Redeploy After Adding Redirects

After adding the _redirects file, rebuild your app (npm run build) and push changes to your repository. Netlify will automatically redeploy the updated application with proper routing support.

Best Practices

Optimize Your Vue Build

Use Vue’s built-in tools like code splitting, lazy loading, and tree shaking to reduce bundle size and improve load times. Smaller builds lead to faster deployments and better user experience.

Use Environment Variables Securely

Netlify allows you to set environment variables in the dashboard. Avoid hardcoding API keys or sensitive data in your Vue app; instead, use environment variables for configuration.

Implement Continuous Integration

By connecting your Git repository with Netlify, your Vue app automatically redeploys on every push. This continuous integration practice helps maintain consistent, up-to-date deployments.

Enable HTTPS and Custom Domains

Netlify provides free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt. Always use HTTPS to secure your site. You can also link custom domains for branding purposes.

Monitor Performance and Errors

Leverage Netlify’s analytics or integrate third-party monitoring tools to track your Vue app’s performance and catch errors early.

Tools and Resources

Vue CLI

The official CLI tool to scaffold, develop, and build Vue applications with ease.

Netlify CLI

A command-line tool to deploy sites, manage functions, and test Netlify features locally.

Vue Router

The official router for Vue.js, essential for building SPAs with client-side navigation.

Netlify Documentation

Comprehensive guides and references for deploying static sites and serverless functions on Netlify.

GitHub / GitLab / Bitbucket

Popular Git hosting services that integrate seamlessly with Netlify for automated deployment workflows.

Real Examples

Example 1: Simple Vue Portfolio Website

A personal portfolio built with Vue, showcasing projects and skills. Deployed on Netlify with continuous deployment from GitHub. Uses Vue Router in history mode with proper redirects configured.

Example 2: E-commerce SPA with Vue and Netlify Functions

An online store that uses Vue for the frontend and Netlify Functions for backend logic such as payment processing and inventory management. The app leverages Netlify’s serverless architecture for scalability.

Example 3: Blog Site Using VuePress Deployed on Netlify

A documentation and blog site generated by VuePress, deployed on Netlify with automatic builds triggered by markdown updates in GitHub.

FAQs

Can I deploy a Vue app without using Git?

Yes, you can deploy by manually uploading the build folder to Netlify via drag-and-drop in the dashboard, but using Git provides automated deployments and better workflow integration.

How do I handle environment variables in Netlify?

You can set environment variables in the Netlify dashboard under Site Settings > Build & Deploy > Environment. These are accessible during build time and can be exposed to your Vue app using the VUE_APP_ prefix.

Why is my Vue Router history mode not working after deployment?

This usually happens because Netlify needs a redirect rule to serve index.html for all routes. Adding a _redirects file with /&

42; /index.html 200 fixes this issue.

Is Netlify free for deploying Vue apps?

Yes, Netlify offers a generous free tier suitable for most small to medium Vue projects, including continuous deployment and HTTPS.

Can I use Netlify Functions with my Vue app?

Absolutely. Netlify Functions allow you to run serverless backend code alongside your Vue frontend, enabling dynamic features without managing servers.

Conclusion

Deploying a Vue app on Netlify is a straightforward process that empowers developers to deliver fast, scalable web applications with minimal hassle. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can seamlessly build, configure, and deploy your Vue project while leveraging Netlify’s robust features such as continuous deployment, HTTPS, and serverless functions.

Adopting best practices like optimizing your build, managing environment variables securely, and configuring SPA routing ensures your application performs optimally in production. With the right tools and a bit of practice, deploying Vue apps on Netlify becomes an integral part of your development workflow, helping you focus more on building great user experiences.