The verdict in three sentences
WordPress stays convenient for publishing, but it stacks vulnerabilities (plugins, PHP, exposed MySQL database) and caps out on speed. Next.js ships pre-rendered pages, an LCP around 1.2 s and a reduced attack surface, ideal for a B2B site that must inspire trust. Migration costs 3,500,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA (about 5,300-13,700 USD), but the 3-year TCO often tips in its favor as soon as security and speed matter.
WordPress vs Next.js: performance and security
The difference shows first in daily use: load time, stability, exposure to attacks. A headless site separates content (CMS) from rendering (Next.js), which shrinks the exposed surface.
| Criterion | Classic WordPress | Next.js (headless) |
|---|---|---|
| Median mobile LCP | 3.5 s | 1.2 s |
| Attack surface | High (plugins, PHP) | Reduced (static/SSR) |
| Security updates | Frequent, risky | Rare, controlled |
| Hosting cost/month | 25,000 - 60,000 FCFA | 40,000 - 120,000 FCFA |
| Traffic scalability | Limited | High (CDN) |
| 3G load time | Slow | Optimized |
| Annual maintenance | 600,000 - 1,200,000 FCFA | 300,000 - 700,000 FCFA |
On paper Next.js hosting (Vercel or OVH) looks pricier, but maintenance and security incidents weigh heavily on WordPress: a hacked site means several days of downtime and a billed clean-up.
Migration cost and 3-year TCO
The migration budget depends on the number of pages, integrations and the volume of content to port. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Item | Small site (< 20 pages) | Medium site (20-60 pages) |
|---|---|---|
| Next.js migration | 3,500,000 FCFA | 6,000,000 - 9,000,000 FCFA |
| Content porting | Included | 500,000 - 1,500,000 FCFA |
| Hosting/year | 480,000 FCFA | 960,000 - 1,440,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance/year | 300,000 FCFA | 500,000 - 700,000 FCFA |
| Timeline | 6 weeks | 8 - 10 weeks |
| Estimated 3-yr TCO | ~4,900,000 FCFA | ~9,400,000 - 14,000,000 FCFA |
The speed gain has a direct impact: an LCP dropping from 3.5 s to 1.2 s improves conversion rate and mobile ranking, two levers that make the migration pay off beyond technical comfort alone.
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Mini case study
Mireille is digital lead at a consulting firm in Miami: 45-page WordPress site, 8,000 visits/month, two intrusion attempts in one year. Next.js migration quote: 7,000,000 FCFA (about 10,700 USD), 9-week timeline. Result: LCP at 1.2 s, zero security incidents the following year, and a contact rate rising from 1.6 % to 2.3 %. On 8,000 visits, that is 56 extra inquiries per month. With an average engagement of 1,500,000 FCFA, two won engagements cover the migration.
FAQ
How much does a WordPress to Next.js migration cost in Miami in 2026? Between 3,500,000 FCFA for a small site and 9,000,000 FCFA for a medium site with content porting and integrations (about 5,300-13,700 USD).
What concrete speed gain? Mobile LCP typically drops from 3.5 s to 1.2 s, nearly three times faster loading, decisive on 3G connections.
Is Next.js really more secure? Yes: in headless mode it exposes neither a database nor a public PHP layer, sharply reducing the attack surface compared with WordPress and its plugins.
Does hosting cost more? Vercel or OVH cost 40,000 to 120,000 FCFA/month versus 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA for WordPress, but annual maintenance drops by roughly half.
Can I keep a CMS to publish? Yes, a headless CMS (Sanity, Strapi) keeps a simple editing interface while serving content to Next.js.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page count, integrations and monthly traffic: we cost the migration and the 3-year TCO. 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.