How to Deploy Your Node.js Project on Ubuntu: A Simple Guide with NGINX and PM2

So, you’ve built a shiny new Node.js app, and now it’s time to show it off to the world! But here’s the thing: deploying an app on a live server can feel like a techie maze, especially if you’re just starting out. Don’t sweat it, though — I’ve got you covered!

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to deploy your Node.js project on Ubuntu like a pro, using PM2 (to keep your app running forever) and Nginx (to make sure your app gets traffic the right way). By the end of this tutorial, your Node.js app will be live, stable, and unstoppable.

Whether you’re building a side project or launching the next big thing, these tools will make sure your app stays online, handles traffic like a champ, and gives you one less thing to worry about. Ready? Let’s jump in!

Prerequisites: What You’ll Need

Before we start, make sure you have the following:

1. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) running Ubuntu (we’ll walk you through setting one up on DigitalOcean).
2. SSH access to your server (like using ssh user@your-ip-address).
3. A Node.js project (it can be something basic like an Express app).
4. Nginx installed (we’ll show you how).