Build and Deploy a Saas Podcast Platform in Next.js

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of building and deploying a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) podcast platform using Next.js 14 and Convex. You will learn how to incorporate AI functionalities like text-to-multiple-voices and AI-generated images, creating a unique podcast experience.

Step 1: Setup Development Environment

1. Install Node.js: Ensure you have Node.js installed on your machine. You can download it from Node.js official website.

Create a New Next.js Project

• Open your terminal and run:

  npx create-next-app@latest my-podcast-app
  

• Navigate into your project directory:

  cd my-podcast-app
  

Install Required Packages

• Install Convex and Clerk:

  npm install convex clerk
  

Step 2: File and Folder Structure

• Organize your project files for maintainability. Here’s a suggested structure:

  my-podcast-app/
  ├── components/
  ├── pages/
  ├── public/
  ├── styles/
  └── utils/
  

Step 3: Create Left Sidebar

Create a Sidebar Component

• In the components folder, create a file named Sidebar.js.
• Implement the sidebar layout with necessary links for navigation.

Step 4: Design Homepage Layout

Implement Homepage

• Update the index.js file in the pages directory to include your newly created Sidebar and a main content area.
• Ensure to add a header and footer for a complete layout.

Step 5: Set up Convex

Initialize Convex

• Follow the Convex documentation to set up your Convex backend.
• Create a .env.local file for environment variables and add your Convex API key.

Step 6: Set up Clerk

Initialize Clerk

• Create an account on Clerk and set up your application.
• Add your Clerk API keys to the .env.local file.

Step 7: Create Podcast Page

Develop Podcast Creation Functionality

• Build a form to submit podcast details (title, description, audio file).
• Use Convex to store podcast data.

Step 8: Generate Podcast

Implement Podcast Generation

• Create a function that triggers the podcast creation process.
• Utilize Convex to manage the state of podcast assets.

Step 9: Integrate OpenAI

Setup OpenAI API

• Sign up for OpenAI and obtain your API key.
• Implement functionality to generate show notes or summaries using OpenAI’s text generation features.

Step 10: Generate Thumbnail

Thumbnail Generation

• Use an API or a library to create thumbnails for your podcasts.
• Ensure the generated images are stored and linked correctly in your database.

Step 11: Displaying Podcasts

Create a Podcast List Component

• Fetch and display a list of podcasts on your homepage.
• Implement pagination or infinite scrolling for better user experience.

Step 12: Podcast Details Page

Develop Detailed View

• Create a dedicated page for each podcast with detailed information and audio playback capability.

Step 13: Create Right Sidebar

Add a Right Sidebar

• Implement a right sidebar for additional functionalities like recommended podcasts or user profile links.

Step 14: Build a Podcast Player

Integrate Audio Player

• Use an audio player library to allow users to play podcasts seamlessly.

Step 15: Discover Page

Create a Discover Section

• Implement features that allow users to discover new podcasts based on their interests.

Step 16: Mobile Navigation

Implement Responsive Navigation

• Ensure the navigation is mobile-friendly using CSS media queries or a responsive library.

Step 17: Profile Page

Create User Profile Functionality

• Implement a profile page where users can view their submitted podcasts and personal details.

Step 18: Deploy Your Application

Deploy Using Vercel

• Push your code to GitHub and connect to Vercel for easy deployment.
• Follow the instructions on Vercel to set environment variables and deploy your application.

Conclusion

You have now built and deployed a SaaS podcast platform using Next.js, Convex, and Clerk. This project integrates AI features, providing a rich user experience. Explore further enhancements such as advanced analytics or user feedback systems to expand your application. Happy coding!