title: Laravel file storage architecture
body: <p>I have a laravel applications where users can upload files. Currently the files are stored in the storage directory.</p>
  
  <p>However every time I re-deploy the application from version control I have to copy the files to a temp directory outside of the application, deploy the application and then copy them back into the storage directory otherwise they get deleted with each fresh deployment.</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Is there a way to prevent each deployment overwriting the existing storage directory or</li>
  <li>Is it best to store the files on a cloud storage system such as S3 instead?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Any pro tips, advice appreciated</p>