Welcome to this in-depth guide on deploying a Next.js website from a GitHub repository to Vercel. Next.js is a powerful framework for building React applications, and Vercel is an excellent platform for hosting and deploying web projects. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a solid understanding of how to seamlessly deploy your Next.js site using GitHub and Vercel. Let's dive in!

Before we begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. A Next.js project hosted on a GitHub repository.

2. A Vercel account. If you don't have one, you can sign up for free at Vercel.

3. Node.js installed on your local development machine.

To start deploying your Next.js website, you need to link your GitHub repository to your Vercel account. Follow these detailed steps:

1. Log in to your Vercel account.

2. Click the 'New Project' button on the Vercel dashboard.

3. Choose 'Import Git Repository' as the project source.

4. Select your GitHub account and the repository you want to deploy.

5. Configure your deployment settings, such as selecting the branch to deploy and the build settings.

6. Click 'Deploy' to initiate the deployment process. Vercel will automatically build and deploy your Next.js app from your GitHub repository.

If your Next.js app relies on environment variables, such as API keys or secrets, you can configure them in Vercel for security and flexibility:

1. In your Vercel dashboard, select your project.

2. Navigate to 'Settings' > 'Environment Variables.'

3. Add the required environment variables along with their values.

4. Save the changes to ensure your app functions correctly in the Vercel environment.

Before initiating the deployment, it's essential to review your settings and configurations in the Vercel dashboard. Ensure everything is set up correctly, including your environment variables. When you're confident that everything is in order, click the 'Deploy' button. Vercel will start the deployment process, and you can monitor its progress in the dashboard. The deployment usually takes a few minutes, depending on the size of your Next.js app.

Congratulations! Your Next.js website is now live on Vercel. You can access it using the provided URL. Vercel offers various features, including custom domains, SSL certificates, and deployment settings, to further enhance your site's functionality, security, and performance. Explore these options to optimize your website's user experience.

In this comprehensive tutorial, you've learned how to deploy a Next.js website from a GitHub repository to Vercel. This deployment method streamlines the process and ensures that your site remains up to date with changes in your GitHub repository. With your website live, you can focus on building and improving your Next.js app, knowing that Vercel will handle the deployment seamlessly. Happy coding!