How to Deploy an Angular App for Free

Deploying an Angular app for free can be an appealing option for developers and small businesses looking to minimize costs. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to deploying your Angular application using various free services. From selecting the right hosting platform to configuring your app for deployment, this comprehensive guide will help you get your Angular app online without incurring any costs.

1: Understanding Angular Deployment

Angular is a popular front-end web application framework developed by Google. It allows developers to build dynamic, single-page applications with a rich user interface. When it comes to deploying Angular apps, the goal is to make your application accessible on the web for users to interact with.

Deployment involves transferring your Angular app from your local development environment to a web server where it can be accessed by users. Free deployment options are available that cater to different needs, from personal projects to small-scale production applications.

2: Preparing Your Angular App for Deployment

Before deploying your Angular app, you need to ensure it is ready for production. This involves several steps:

a. Build Your Angular App

To prepare your app for deployment, you'll first need to build it. This process compiles your Angular code and generates static files that can be served by a web server. Use the Angular CLI to build your project:

bash
ng build --prod

The --prod flag tells Angular to build the app in production mode, optimizing the code for performance.

b. Review Configuration

Ensure your angular.json and other configuration files are set up correctly for production. For example, check that your baseHref is correctly set if your app will be hosted in a subdirectory.

3: Choosing a Free Hosting Service

There are several free hosting services where you can deploy your Angular app. Here are some popular options:

a. GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages is a simple and free hosting service for static sites. To deploy your Angular app on GitHub Pages:

1. Create a GitHub repository for your project.

2. Install the Angular CLI gh-pages package:

   bash
   npm install -g angular-cli-ghpages
   

3. Build your Angular project:

   bash
   ng build --prod --base-href "https://.github.io//"
   

4. Deploy to GitHub Pages:

   bash
   npx angular-cli-ghpages --dir=dist/
   

b. Vercel

Vercel offers a free plan that is ideal for deploying front-end applications. To deploy your Angular app on Vercel:

1. Sign up for a Vercel account.

2. Install the Vercel CLI:

   bash
   npm install -g vercel
   

3. Build your Angular project:

   bash
   ng build --prod
   

4. Deploy your app:

   bash
   vercel
   

Follow the prompts to set up your deployment.

c. Netlify

Netlify is another popular choice for free hosting, known for its ease of use and integration with continuous deployment services. To deploy your Angular app on Netlify:

1. Sign up for a Netlify account.
2. Drag and drop your dist folder (generated from ng build --prod) into the Netlify dashboard.
3. Configure your site settings as needed.

4: Configuring Your App for Free Hosting

Depending on the hosting service you choose, you may need to adjust your Angular configuration. For instance:

a. Base URL Configuration

Ensure your baseHref is set correctly in the angular.json file to match the URL where your app will be hosted.

b. Environment Variables

Check and update any environment variables or configuration settings in your Angular app to align with the hosting environment.

5: Continuous Deployment

For ongoing projects, setting up continuous deployment can save time and effort. Services like GitHub Actions, Vercel, and Netlify offer continuous deployment features that automatically deploy your app whenever you push changes to your repository.

a. GitHub Actions

Create a .github/workflows/deploy.yml file in your repository to configure a GitHub Actions workflow for deploying your Angular app to GitHub Pages, Vercel, or another hosting service.

b. Vercel and Netlify Integration

Both Vercel and Netlify provide seamless integration with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. You can connect your repository to automatically trigger deployments on code changes.

6: Testing Your Deployment

After deploying your Angular app, it's crucial to test it thoroughly. Ensure that:

• The app loads correctly on the web.
• All features and functionality work as expected.
• The app performs well and loads quickly.

7: Troubleshooting Common Issues

During deployment, you might encounter issues such as:

a. Incorrect Base URL

Ensure the baseHref in angular.json matches the URL where your app is hosted.

b. Build Errors

Check the build output for errors and resolve any issues before redeploying.

c. Configuration Issues

Verify your hosting service's documentation for specific configuration requirements.

Conclusion

Deploying an Angular app for free is a straightforward process with numerous options available to suit different needs. By following this guide, you can get your Angular app online without spending any money. Whether you're using GitHub Pages, Vercel, or Netlify, the key is to build your app, choose the right hosting service, and configure everything correctly for a smooth deployment.