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Virtually $0.00: How to Host Your Portfolio Without Dying While Trying

Architectural and design decisions to host a Next.js portfolio and blog on Cloud Run with Google Cloud Storage for virtually $0.00.

Google Cloud billing summary showing $0.00 total

Digital presence is a must nowadays: it’s your personal brand and yourself out on the internet, joining us all as one whether you like it or not.

You may have the knowledge and expertise to build your own website, but it's still crucial to keep billing and other associated expenses in mind.

So, with all that in mind, let me walk you through the decisions and stack I chose to host this portfolio:

Frontend

Next.js + Tailwind CSS + On-Demand Google Fonts

This isn’t about following tech trends for the sake of it. It’s about tangible features:

  • SSR (Server-Side Rendering): Crucial for SEO scoring and social sharing.
  • URI-based Routing & React + TypeScript: Predictable, type-safe development.
  • Open Graph (OG) Support: Straightforward metadata integration for rich previews on social platforms.
  • Tailwind CSS: A no-brainer for rapid theming and utility-first styling.
  • On-Demand Google Fonts: Allows using modern typography cleanly without bloating the client bundle.

Backend

None!

At the moment, everything is static: .md/.mdx, .html, .ts, and .tsx.

If down the road I need backend processing or dynamic APIs, I’d build a lightweight Golang service using the Gin framework for a fast REST API. For now, zero backend means zero compute overhead when idle.

Storage

Google Cloud Storage (Bucket)

Or as you may simply know it: a bucket.

The Google Cloud Run container communicates with Google Cloud Storage to serve static assets—images, localized MDX blog entries, and public media—keeping the application decoupled and nimble.

Architecture

Cloud Run + Cloud Storage

A single frontend container deployed as a Google Cloud Run service alongside a single Cloud Storage bucket within the same GCP project. Very straightforward and minimal.

Google Cloud Platform architecture diagram showing Cloud Run and Cloud Storage
Minimal cloud architecture on GCP: Cloud Run for compute, Cloud Storage for assets.

Billing

Varies on traffic, but...

Google Cloud billing report showing zero dollar net total
Monthly billing breakdown: $0.76 usage cost offset by $0.75 tier credits = $0.00 total.

Thanks to Cloud Run scale-to-zero capabilities and GCP free tiers:

  • Usage Cost: ~$0.76
  • Credits & Tier Savings: -$0.75
  • Subtotal & Total: $0.00

Literally virtually zero.

Drafted from the author's original notes and experience, structured and localized with AI assistance.