Deploy Express Application using Netlify for Free – Serverless Functions | 2024 UPDATE

Netlify is a popular platform that allows developers to deploy and host their web applications for free. One of the key features of Netlify is its support for serverless functions, which provide a scalable and cost-effective way to handle backend logic for your applications.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of deploying an Express application using Netlify’s serverless functions. With Netlify’s easy-to-use interface and powerful features, you can have your application up and running in no time.

Step 1: Set up your Express application

Before deploying your Express application to Netlify, you need to have a working Express application ready. If you don’t have one already, you can create a simple Express application by following the steps in the official Express documentation.

Step 2: Install the Netlify CLI

To deploy your Express application to Netlify, you will need to install the Netlify CLI. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:


npm install -g netlify-cli


Step 3: Create a Netlify account

If you haven’t already, you will need to create a Netlify account to deploy your application. You can sign up for a free account at https://app.netlify.com/signup.

Step 4: Set up your Netlify project

Once you have created your Netlify account, you can create a new project by running the following command in your terminal:


netlify init


Follow the prompts to link your Netlify account with the CLI and select the directory where your Express application is located.

Step 5: Create serverless functions

Netlify supports serverless functions, which allow you to run backend logic without managing a server. To create a serverless function for your Express application, create a new folder in your project directory called functions and add a JavaScript file inside it. In this file, you can define your serverless function like this:


exports.handler = async (event, context) => {
// Your backend logic here
}


Step 6: Deploy your application

Once you have set up your serverless function, you can deploy your Express application to Netlify by running the following command in your terminal:


netlify deploy


Follow the prompts to deploy your application to Netlify. Once the deployment is complete, you can access your application at the provided URL.

Conclusion

Deploying an Express application using Netlify’s serverless functions is a simple and cost-effective way to host your web applications. With Netlify’s powerful features and seamless deployment process, you can focus on building your application without worrying about server management.

Try deploying your Express application using Netlify today and experience the benefits of serverless architecture!