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Vercel + Namecheap stack1 min read

When to add a database to your Next.js site.

Most marketing sites don't need one. Here's the test for when you do.

Haojun See
Haojun See

Founder & Director, On The Ground

Updated 6 June 2026

Overview

Adding a database adds complexity. Most marketing sites can live on Vercel + Resend with no DB. The test for when you need one is concrete.

You don't need a DB if

• Your content is static (pages, blog posts in MDX). • Forms route to Resend or a third-party service. • No users sign in.

You need a DB when

• Users sign up and have accounts. • Content is dynamically created by users (comments, listings, etc.). • You're storing structured data that changes over time.

What to use

Neon (Postgres, generous free tier, branching for previews). Connect via @neondatabase/serverless. Vercel's Marketplace makes Neon a one-click install.

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