diff --git a/leadsdb/settings.py b/leadsdb/settings.py
index 2ebd1eb..4ad7e93 100644
--- a/leadsdb/settings.py
+++ b/leadsdb/settings.py
@@ -10,20 +10,25 @@ For the full list of settings and their values, see
 https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.2/ref/settings/
 """
 
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+import dj_database_url
 
 # Build paths inside the project like this: BASE_DIR / 'subdir'.
 BASE_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
 
+# Load environment variables from .env file
+load_dotenv(BASE_DIR / '.env')
 
 # Quick-start development settings - unsuitable for production
 # See https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.2/howto/deployment/checklist/
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: keep the secret key used in production secret!
-SECRET_KEY = 'django-insecure-your-secret-key-here'
+SECRET_KEY = os.environ.get('SECRET_KEY')
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: don't run with debug turned on in production!
-DEBUG = True
+DEBUG = os.environ.get('DEBUG', 'False') == 'True'
 
 ALLOWED_HOSTS = []
 
@@ -76,10 +81,7 @@ WSGI_APPLICATION = 'leadsdb.wsgi.application'
 # https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.2/ref/settings/#databases
 
 DATABASES = {
-    'default': {
-        'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.sqlite3',
-        'NAME': BASE_DIR / 'db.sqlite3',
-    }
+    'default': dj_database_url.config(default=os.environ.get('DATABASE_URL'))
 }