How do I create account and deploy first site?

# Sign Up and Drag-and-Drop Deploy 1. Go to [netlify.com](https://www.netlify.com/) and sign up for a free account using GitHub, GitLab, or email. 2. Once logged in, drag and drop a folder containing your static site (e.g., `public` or `dist` folder from a built project like `npm run build`). 3. Netlify will deploy instantly and provide a unique live URL (e.g., `random-name-123.netlify.app`). 4. Visit the URL to confirm your site is live. **Tip:** Customize the site name in Site settings > Site details.

How do I connect git for continuous deployment?

# Link GitHub Repo 1. In Netlify dashboard, click **Add new site > Import an existing project**. 2. Authorize GitHub and select a repo (or fork the demo: https://github.com/netlify/netlify-feature-tour). 3. Configure build settings (e.g., Build command: `npm run build`, Publish directory: `dist`). 4. Click **Deploy site**. 5. Make a change, commit, and push to trigger automatic build/deploy. **From docs:** Netlify detects pushes and deploys globally.

How do I install netlify cli for local dev?

# Set Up CLI **Prerequisites:** Node.js 18.14.0+. 1. Install globally: `npm install -g netlify-cli`. 2. Authenticate: `netlify login` (opens browser). 3. In project dir: `netlify init` (links to site) or `netlify link`. 4. Test: `netlify dev` (runs local server at localhost:8888). 5. Deploy manually: `netlify deploy --prod`. **Verify:** `netlify --version`.

How do I add serverless functions and env vars?

# Implement Functions 1. Create `netlify/functions/hello.js`: ```js exports.handler = async () => ({ statusCode: 200, body: 'Hello!' }); ``` 2. Run `netlify dev` and test `localhost:8888/.netlify/functions/hello`. 3. Add env var in Netlify UI (Site config > Env vars) or CLI: `netlify env:set MY_VAR value`. 4. Use in function: `process.env.MY_VAR`. 5. Commit/push for production deploy. **Redirects:** Add `public/_redirects`: `/api/* /.netlify/functions/:splat`.

How do I handle forms, previews, and rollbacks?

# Advanced Features 1. **Forms:** Add `data-netlify="true" name="contact"` to ` `. Submissions appear in Netlify UI > Forms. 2. **Deploy Previews:** Create PR on GitHub; Netlify comments preview URL. 3. **Rollback:** In Deploys tab, select previous deploy > Publish deploy. 4. Test: Edit file, PR, merge, verify production + preview. **From demo:** Use https://github.com/netlify/netlify-feature-tour.

Master Netlify Deployment in 5 Practical Steps

🧰

Instant Toolkit

3 artifacts

📋
Step-by-Step Guide

1

Sign Up and Drag-and-Drop Deploy

Go to netlify.com and sign up for a free account using GitHub, GitLab, or email.
Once logged in, drag and drop a folder containing your static site (e.g., public or dist folder from a built project like npm run build).
Netlify will deploy instantly and provide a unique live URL (e.g., random-name-123.netlify.app).
Visit the URL to confirm your site is live.

Tip: Customize the site name in Site settings > Site details.

Why this step matters:

-Establishes core deployment workflow hands-on
-Lets you publish projects instantly without servers

15-30 minutes

Web browser, Netlify account, Static site folder

$0

Definition of Done

•Netlify account created
•Site deployed and accessible via live URL

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Dragging source code instead of built files

→Run your build command (e.g., `npm run build`) first and drag the output folder

❌ No changes visible after deploy

→Clear browser cache or check deploy logs in Netlify UI

2

Following along, or just reading? 👀

Spin up a personalized “learn Netlify” plan you can save, check off, and return to anytime — unlimited on the free trial.

Start free trial →

3

4

5

🎥
Suggested Videos

Netlify Tutorial for Beginners - Crash Course

How to Deploy a Website on Netlify

How To Deploy a Website on Netlify (Step-by-Step)

📚
Learning Resources

📖 Online Courses

Deploying with Netlify

beginner

Codecademy

Learn to deploy your projects with Netlify

beginner

Scrimba

📖 Recommended Books

Netlify Essentials: A Guide to Jamstack Hosting and Automation

beginner

by Robert Johnson

Web Development on Netlify

intermediate

by Packt Publishing

🌐 Helpful Websites

Netlify Official Docs

documentation

Comprehensive guides from start to advanced features

Netlify CLI Reference

documentation

All CLI commands and usage

Netlify Getting Started Guide

tutorial

Hands-on tutorial with demo project

🛠️ Useful Tools

Netlify CLI

Developer Tool

Local dev server, deploy, and manage sites from terminal

Netlify Drop

Deployment

Quick drag-and-drop deploys without account

Master Netlify Deployment in 5 Practical Steps