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Apr 05, 2025
6 min read

Deploying a Server-Side Rendered App on AWS with Next.js

Learn how to set up, configure, and deploy a Next.js application on AWS for server-side rendering, ensuring scalability and efficient performance for modern web projects.

Deploying a Server-Side Rendered App on AWS with Next.js

Next.js has become a go-to framework for developers who need both the speed of static site generation (SSG) and the flexibility of server-side rendering (SSR). Combining React with built-in routing, API endpoints, and advanced features like Incremental Static Regeneration, Next.js provides a comprehensive environment for building modern web applications. Once you’ve created your app, however, you still need a robust hosting solution that can handle dynamic page requests and scale with traffic demands, this is where AWS (Amazon Web Services) comes in.

AWS offers a range of services, like Elastic Beanstalk, EC2, and AWS Amplify, that cater to various deployment preferences. Whether you’re spinning up a simple container or a complex multi-service architecture, AWS’s global infrastructure can deliver the resources you need to ensure reliable performance. In this article, we’ll walk through the basics of deploying a Next.js SSR app on AWS, discussing both essential setup steps and best practices for a smooth, cost-effective rollout.

1. Why Choose AWS for Next.js?

AWS stands out for its:

  1. Scalability → Auto-scaling groups adapt to traffic spikes or dips without manual intervention.
  2. Global Reach → Data centers in many regions, minimizing latency for international audiences.
  3. Versatility → Host your Next.js app using containers (Docker on ECS or EKS), AWS Amplify’s streamlined approach, or the more automated AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
  4. Security and Reliability → Consistent uptime backed by well-documented security protocols and identity management.

Choosing the right AWS service depends on your comfort with containerization, DevOps tooling, and long-term project requirements. The easiest route may be AWS Amplify, while Elastic Beanstalk or EC2 might offer finer control over the environment.

2. Preparing Your Next.js Project

Before deployment, ensure your Next.js app is optimized:

  1. Production Build Use npm run build or yarn build to generate optimized bundles. This step ensures that Next.js compiles TypeScript (if used), tree-shakes unused code, and prepares server-rendered pages.

  2. Environment Variables Storing secrets or configuration in environment variables keeps them out of your codebase. Services like AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store can help manage these values securely.

  3. SSR Caching If your app benefits from caching server-rendered pages, consider employing tools like Incremental Static Regeneration or implementing a custom caching strategy with Redis or CloudFront for repeated requests.

3. Deploying via AWS Amplify

AWS Amplify is a developer-friendly service tailored for web and mobile applications, offering Git integration and continuous deployment pipelines.

Steps to Deploy

  1. Create an AWS Amplify App Log in to the AWS Management Console, select Amplify, and click “New app.” Choose “Host web app” to begin configuring your project.

  2. Connect Your Repository Link a GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repo. Amplify detects your Next.js configuration and suggests a build script, typically npm install && npm run build && npm run start.

  3. Configure Build Settings In the Amplify console, you can modify the build commands if needed. Make sure to set SSR to true for Next.js. Amplify automatically provisions an environment for your app.

  4. Continuous Deployment Whenever you push changes to your connected branch, Amplify rebuilds and redeploys. This allows agile updates without manual intervention.

While Amplify simplifies Next.js deployments, it may limit more intricate customizations. For advanced architectural control, you might prefer Elastic Beanstalk or containerized approaches on ECS or EKS.

4. Using AWS Elastic Beanstalk

If you need to manage server instances directly but still want some automation, AWS Elastic Beanstalk offers a good middle ground. Essentially, you zip up your Next.js build and let Beanstalk handle EC2 instance provisioning, load balancing, and auto-scaling.

Steps to Deploy

  1. Initialize Your Environment In the AWS console, create a new Beanstalk application. Specify Node.js as the platform.

  2. Build Your App Locally Run npm run build or yarn build, then include the .next folder and necessary files in a deployment package (often a .zip).

  3. Configure the Start Script Modify your package.json to have a "start" script that runs next start -p 8080 (Beanstalk defaults to port 8080 for Node.js environments).

  4. Deploy and Test Upload your zipped code via the Beanstalk console. After a brief setup, visit the generated domain to confirm your SSR pages load correctly.

  5. Adjust Scaling and Load Balancing Use the environment configuration to define the minimum and maximum number of EC2 instances or set CPU usage thresholds for automatic scaling. This ensures your Next.js app remains responsive under heavy traffic.

5. Best Practices for AWS Deployments

  • Use a Custom Domain Route 53 can manage DNS, pointing a user-friendly domain to your AWS environment.
  • Enable HTTPS Use AWS Certificate Manager to provision SSL certificates, then configure your load balancer or CloudFront distribution to secure traffic.
  • Monitoring and Logging Implement AWS CloudWatch for performance metrics, logs, and alarms. Proper monitoring helps you detect performance bottlenecks or errors promptly.
  • Environment Variables In Amplify or Elastic Beanstalk, store secrets like API keys in environment configurations rather than hardcoding them into your code.
  • CI/CD Integration Automate building, testing, and deploying your Next.js app whenever code is merged or updated. Amplify’s built-in pipeline or third-party CI tools can streamline this process.

Conclusion

Deploying a server-side rendered Next.js application on AWS opens the door to a scalable, performant hosting setup that can adapt as your user base grows. Whether you opt for AWS Amplify’s simplicity, Elastic Beanstalk’s balanced automation, or a more hands-on container approach, AWS offers the tools to ensure consistent availability and quick response times. By pairing Next.js’s robust SSR capabilities with AWS’s dependable infrastructure, you deliver fast-loading, SEO-friendly experiences that users can rely on worldwide.

Careful pre-deployment checks, like environment variable setup and production builds, along with adopting best practices for domain management, security, and logging, finalize a professional-grade workflow. With each iteration, you can refine your pipeline further, ensuring minimal downtime, easier feature rollouts, and a user experience that aligns with modern web standards. In the end, taking advantage of AWS’s extensive services allows you to focus on building features rather than wrestling with infrastructure complexities.

Disclaimer

Article written with the help of AI.

Read the full Disclaimer HERE

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