Build and Deploy LiveChat Apps with This Practical Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Netlify

2.1 Registration

2.2 Deploying the App

2.3 Modifying Authorization Block

2.4 Updating Agent App Widgets

2.5 Pros and Cons

3. Firebase

3.1 Registration

3.2 Creating a Project

3.3 Installing Firebase CLI

3.4 Initializing Firebase Project

3.5 Deploying the App

3.6 Modifying Authorization Block

3.7 Updating Agent App Widgets

3.8 Pros and Cons

4. Heroku

4.1 Registration

4.2 Creating an App

4.3 Installing Heroku CLI

4.4 Making Adjustments in Code

4.5 Pushing Changes and Deploying

4.6 Modifying Authorization Block

4.7 Updating Agent App Widgets

4.8 Pros and Cons

5. Conclusion

Practical Guide to Building Live Chat Apps: Choosing the Right Hosting Service

In this practical guide, we will walk You through the step-by-step process of deploying a production-ready Live Chat application to an external hosting service. Hosting your application is crucial for its availability to users. We have selected three popular hosting services, namely Netlify, Firebase, and Heroku, to showcase their differences and help you make an informed decision for your own app.

1. Introduction

Before we dive into the details of each hosting service, it is essential to understand the importance of hosting and the factors to consider when choosing the right platform. Hosting allows your application to be publicly accessible and serves as a gateway for users to Interact with your app. We will provide an overview of the different hosting solutions available in the market, categorized Based on the types of apps you are likely to build.

2. Netlify

2.1 Registration

To deploy your app on Netlify, the first step is to register an account. Once you have created an account, you will have access to Netlify's main team view.

2.2 Deploying the App

Before deploying your app on Netlify, you need to Create a production build of your application using the npm run build command in your repository's file directory. This will generate a production-ready build that can be deployed directly to Netlify.

2.3 Modifying Authorization Block

To ensure your app works seamlessly with the Live Chat Agent app, you need to modify the authorization block in the Live Chat Developer Console. This involves adding your application's URL to the app redirect URI's whitelist.

2.4 Updating Agent App Widgets

The next step is to update the Agent app widgets block to include the URL of your newly deployed app. This will enable the app to be fetched from the external URL instead of the localhost.

2.5 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Netlify offers a simple and user-friendly solution for app deployment.
• Drag-and-drop functionality makes deployment hassle-free.
• Internal usage of Netlify adds credibility to the recommendation.

Cons:

• There may be limitations in terms of customization and scalability for more complex applications.

3. Firebase

3.1 Registration

To deploy your app on Firebase, you need to register an account and create a new project in the Firebase console. Google Analytics is an optional feature that can be opted out of during the project creation process.

3.2 Creating a Project

Upon creating a project in the Firebase console, you will have access to an overview of your project.

3.3 Installing Firebase CLI

To deploy your app using Firebase, you need to install the Firebase CLI on your desktop. The Firebase documentation provides detailed instructions on installation methods.

3.4 Initializing Firebase Project

Initialize your Firebase project in the repository's file directory using the Firebase init command via the terminal. Select the hosting option and specify the existing project created in the Firebase console.

3.5 Deploying the App

Similar to Netlify, you need to generate a production build using the npm run build command. Once the build is ready, deploy it to Firebase using the Firebase deploy command.

3.6 Modifying Authorization Block

To authorize your app in the Live Chat Developer Console for the newly deployed Firebase URL, add the URL to the app redirect URI's whitelist.

3.7 Updating Agent App Widgets

Update the Agent app widgets block by replacing the localhost widget source URL with the URL of your app deployed on Firebase.

3.8 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Firebase provides a simple and accessible hosting solution.
• Integration with Firebase CLI allows for efficient deployment.
• Detailed documentation facilitates the deployment process.

Cons:

• The process may involve more steps compared to other hosting services.

4. Heroku

4.1 Registration

To deploy your app on Heroku, you need to register an account. Choose a unique name for your app and select the region you are located in.

4.2 Creating an App

In the Heroku Dev Center, create a new app with a unique name and select the region as part of the project setup.

4.3 Installing Heroku CLI

Installing the Heroku CLI is necessary for deploying your app on Heroku. The Dev Center provides instructions on installation methods.

4.4 Making Adjustments in Code

In your application's code, make Relevant changes, such as removing the https flag in the Package.json file, specifying the node and npm versions, and pushing the changes to your repository.

4.5 Pushing Changes and Deploying

Connect the Heroku CLI with your repository and deploy your application using the git push heroku master command. Heroku will create a production build based on the files in your repository.

4.6 Modifying Authorization Block

Authorize your app for the Heroku deployed URL by adding it to the app redirect URI's whitelist in the Live Chat Developer Console.

4.7 Updating Agent App Widgets

Update the Agent app widgets block by replacing the localhost widget source URL with the URL of your app deployed on Heroku.

4.8 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Heroku provides a similar deployment process to Firebase, making it easy to transition between the two hosting services.
• Heroku's CLI allows for efficient deployment and management of applications.

Cons:

• Customization options may be limited compared to other hosting services.
• The adjustment of application code adds an extra step to the deployment process.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, hosting your live chat application is vital for its availability to users. We have explored three popular hosting services, namely Netlify, Firebase, and Heroku. Each service has its pros and cons, and the choice depends on your specific app requirements. We recommend referring to our comprehensive app hosting article for an in-depth overview of your hosting options.

Please note that all hosting services Mentioned in this guide are dynamic and subject to updates and changes. Ensure you Read the respective documentation for the most up-to-date information.

Highlights:

• Learn how to deploy a live chat application to external hosting services.
• Comparison of three popular hosting services: Netlify, Firebase, and Heroku.
• Step-by-step instructions for deployment on each hosting service.
• Pros and cons of each hosting service.

FAQ:

Q: Is there a free plan available for each hosting service? A: Yes, all three hosting services offer free plans with certain limitations. However, they also provide premium plans with additional features and resources.

Q: Can I switch between hosting services after deploying my app? A: Yes, it is possible to switch between hosting services. However, it may require adjustments in your application's code and configuration files.

Q: How do I decide which hosting service is best for my app? A: Consider factors such as the complexity of your application, scalability requirements, customization options, pricing plans, and integration capabilities when choosing a hosting service.

Q: Can I use my own domain with these hosting services? A: Yes, all three hosting services allow you to use custom domains for your applications.

Q: Do these hosting services support automatic deployments? A: Both Netlify and Heroku offer automatic deployment options, while Firebase requires manual deployment using the Firebase CLI.