Deploying a Banking Web App to Azure App Service: using Azure portal and FTP method

In today’s cloud-driven world, deploying web applications has never been easier, thanks to platforms like Azure App Service. Azure App Service is a fully managed platform that allows developers to build, deploy, and scale web applications and APIs with ease. Whether you're hosting a simple static site, a dynamic web app, or a RESTful API, Azure App Service provides a seamless experience with built-in scalability, security, and integration with other Azure services.

This guide will walk you through the process of deploying a web app to Azure App Service, from creating the App Service to deploying your code and verifying the deployment. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a fully functional web app running on Azure!

Why Use Azure App Service?

Azure App Service is a popular choice for developers because of its:

• Ease of Use: No need to manage infrastructure—Azure handles everything for you.

• Scalability: Automatically scale your app based on traffic.

• Multi-language Support: Supports .NET, Node.js, Python, Java, PHP, and more.

• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Azure DevOps, GitHub, and other CI/CD tools.

• Security: Built-in authentication, HTTPS, and compliance with industry standards.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, Azure App Service simplifies the deployment process, allowing you to focus on building great applications.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

1. An Azure account (you can create one for free at azure.com).

2. A web application (e.g., a .NET, Node.js, Python, or Java app).

3. Basic familiarity with Azure Portal and command-line tools (optional).

Step 1: Create an Azure App Service

1. Log in to the Azure Portal

   

2. Click Create a resource and search for App Service

   

   

3. Fill in the required details:

   • Subscription: Choose your Azure subscription.

   • Resource Group: Create a new one or use an existing group.

   • App Name: Choose a unique name for your app (e.g.,untree.co).

   • Runtime Stack: Select the framework your app uses (e.g., NET, Node.js, Python).

   • Operating System: Choose Windows or Linux.

   • Region: Select a region closest to your users.

4. Click Review + create, then create to provision the App Service

   

   

   

Step 2: Prepare Your Web App

Ensure your web app is ready for deployment. For example:

• If you're using Node.js, make sure your app has a package.json file.

• If you're using .NET, ensure your app is built and ready for deployment.

• If you're using Python, ensure you have a requirements.txt file for dependencies

  

There are multiple ways to deploy your app to Azure App Service. Below are two common methods:

Option 1: Deploy via Azure Portal

1. Go to your App Service in the Azure Portal

   

2. Navigate to Deployment Center

   

3. Choose your source control provider (e.g., GitHub, Azure Repos, Local Git),(Continuous Deployment)

   

4. Follow the prompts to connect your repository and select the branch to deploy.

   

   

5. After filling the necessary details, Azure will automatically build and deploy your app

   

   Website is live on the Default domain provided by Azure.

   

Option 2: Deploy via FTP (FTP (File Transfer Protocol)/SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

1. Go to your App Service in the Azure Portal.

   (Please note for this method to work make sure the Basic authentication feature is enabled when creating the App service plan if not it won’t work.)

2. Navigate to Deployment Center and note the FTP credentials

   

   

3. 

   

   Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) to upload your app files to the /site/wwwroot directory

4. 

Step 3: Verify the Deployment

1. Once the deployment is complete, go to your App Service in the Azure Portal.

2. Click on the URL of your app to open it in a browser.

3. Verify that your web app is running as expected.

   

Step 4: Configure Custom Domains (Optional)

If you want to use a custom domain:

1. Go to your App Service in the Azure Portal.

2. Navigate to Custom domains.

3. Add your domain and follow the instructions to verify ownership and configure DNS settings

   

Step 5: Monitor and Scale

1. Use Azure Monitor to track the performance and health of your app

   

2. Scale your App Service plan based on traffic:

   • Go to your App Service in the Azure Portal.

   • Navigate to Scale up (App Service plan) or scale out (Instance count).

   • Choose a plan that fits your needs (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium)

     

Conclusion

Deploying a web app to Azure App Service is straightforward and can be done in just a few steps. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, Azure App Service provides the tools and flexibility to host your web applications with ease.

Start deploying your web app today and take advantage of Azure's powerful features for scaling, monitoring, and managing your applications!