The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a WordPress to headless migration (Next.js + a decoupled CMS like Sanity, Strapi or Storyblok) costs between EUR 12,000 and EUR 35,000 depending on content volume and integrations. You gain 40-60% on LCP, you remove the PHP plugin attack surface and you stabilise time-to-first-byte under traffic spikes. But if your site has fewer than 30 pages and no measured performance problem, an optimised WordPress at EUR 3,000-6,000 remains the better ROI.
What a headless migration covers
The budget is not just front-end development. You must model content in the decoupled CMS, write migration scripts for the WordPress database, remap URLs to preserve SEO and reconnect forms and analytics. Here is the typical breakdown of an Amsterdam project in 2026.
| Item | Range EUR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Technical audit + content model | 1,500 - 3,500 | 1-2 wks |
| Headless CMS setup + schemas | 2,000 - 5,000 | 1-2 wks |
| Next.js front-end development | 6,000 - 16,000 | 4-7 wks |
| Data migration script | 1,500 - 4,000 | 1-2 wks |
| 301 redirects + technical SEO | 800 - 2,500 | 1 wk |
| QA + go-live | 1,200 - 3,500 | 1-2 wks |
| Total | 12,000 - 35,000 | 8-14 wks |
Projects above EUR 25,000 usually add internationalisation (i18n), an editorial preview environment and a full CI/CD pipeline.
Stay on WordPress or go headless
The real trade-off is not technological, it is economic. A well-optimised WordPress (server cache, WebP images, dedicated hosting) can reach 85+ on Lighthouse. Headless only makes sense once performance, security or traffic volume become quantifiable business stakes.
| Criterion | Optimised WordPress | Headless Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 3,000 - 6,000 | EUR 12,000 - 35,000 |
| Median LCP | 2.4 - 3.2 s | 0.9 - 1.6 s |
| Attack surface | High (PHP plugins) | Low (isolated API) |
| Monthly retainer | EUR 150 - 400 | EUR 300 - 800 |
| Editorial autonomy | Very high | High |
| Traffic-spike scalability | Medium | Excellent (edge CDN) |
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Mini case study
Thomas, CIO of a 90-person industrial SME in Amsterdam, runs a 140-page product site on WordPress. During campaign spikes TTFB climbs to 1.8 s, and two plugins triggered security alerts in 2025. He invests EUR 24,000 in a Next.js + Sanity migration over 11 weeks. Result: LCP drops from 3.1 s to 1.2 s, quote-request conversion rate +18%, meaning about 22 extra qualified leads per month. At EUR 320 of margin per lead, the project pays back in a little over 4 months.
FAQ
How long does the migration take? Expect 8 to 14 weeks in 2026 for a 50-200 page site, of which 4 to 7 weeks are front-end development. A simple brochure site can come down to 6 weeks.
Will I lose my search rankings? No, if the 301 redirect map is complete. Done properly, organic traffic stabilises within 4 to 8 weeks and often improves thanks to the better LCP, a Google ranking factor.
Will my writers have to relearn everything? The headless CMS (Sanity, Storyblok) offers real-time preview. Onboarding takes 1 to 2 training sessions of 2 hours, included in projects above EUR 18,000.
What is the ongoing maintenance budget? The headless retainer costs EUR 300-800/month depending on the SLA, versus EUR 150-400 for WordPress. In return, plugin-related security incidents almost entirely disappear.
Is headless worth it below 30 pages? Rarely. Below that threshold and without a measured performance problem, an optimised WordPress at EUR 3,000-6,000 delivers a better return on investment.
Let's scope your project. Send us your page count, current integrations and performance target: we will cost the most profitable headless scenario for you. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
