Migration · WordPress → Next.js + Headless CMS
WordPress to Headless CMS (Next.js + Sanity) Migration Guide
WordPress is fine for editors. WordPress on mobile, with 20+ plugins, is not fine for Lighthouse or core web vitals. We migrate to Next.js + a modern headless CMS (Sanity, Contentful, Storyblok) — editors keep an authoring experience they love, users get a Lighthouse-92+ experience.
Why teams migrate
- Plugin sprawl has made WordPress slow and brittle
- Mobile Lighthouse below 50, hurting organic traffic
- Security patches are a constant chore
- Editor experience is fine but front-end is dated
- You want a JAMstack architecture that costs less to host
Our migration approach
Phase 1 — Content model in the new CMS
We model your content structures in Sanity / Contentful / Storyblok — pages, components, blog posts, navigation. Editor experience designed around your actual workflow.
Phase 2 — Next.js front-end
Next.js App Router with ISR, edge CDN and the design system. Each route is rebuilt to match the existing IA, then SEO-tested before cutover.
Phase 3 — Content migration
Existing WordPress content is migrated via API or one-time export. Authors review, clean and re-publish in the new CMS during a freeze week.
Phase 4 — Cutover and redirects
DNS cutover, comprehensive 301 redirect map, sitemap submission, GSC validation. WordPress goes offline post-cutover.
Pitfalls we've seen
- Map every old URL to a new one. Don't lose SEO equity in cutover.
- Don't try to model every WordPress plugin. Pick the ones you actually use; ignore the rest.
- Bring your authors into CMS selection. Sanity, Contentful and Storyblok have very different editor experiences — let editors test before you commit.
- Migrate images with new responsive sizes. Don't bring 5 MB JPGs into the new world.
Pricing and timeline
Price range
$12,000 – $35,000
USD, fixed-cost after written scope
Timeline
6 – 12 weeks
Phased rollout from kickoff to legacy retirement
FAQ
Which headless CMS should we choose?
Sanity for development flexibility and customisable Studio. Contentful for predictable enterprise pricing and tooling. Storyblok for visual editing. We help you pick based on team size, content volume and editor experience needs.
Do we lose WordPress's plugin ecosystem?
Yes, and that's mostly a good thing. The plugins you actually need (forms, search, analytics, e-commerce) have modern equivalents — usually first-party features in Next.js + CMS. Plugins you didn't really need, you'll stop missing.
What's the hosting cost difference?
WordPress hosting on managed providers runs $30-300/month. Next.js on Vercel + CMS on Sanity / Contentful free tiers often comes in cheaper for marketing sites — and scales more predictably.
Considering this migration?
We'll scope it phase-by-phase and share a fixed-cost proposal within 48 hours. See the related service below for our standard website development approach.