The verdict in three sentences
Migrating from WordPress to Next.js costs between 15,000 and 32,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in 2026 depending on scope. The gains are measurable: LCP from 4.2s to 1.3s, hosting dropping from 250 EUR/month to 30-90 EUR/month and the end of paid plugins. Expect 8 to 14 weeks and a careful URL handover with 301 redirects to preserve SEO.
The migration budget line by line
A migration is not just a redesign: it is a controlled transfer of content and ranking. Here is the 2026 breakdown for a Berlin IT director.
| Line item | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Audit + URL mapping | 2,000 - 4,000 | Inventory, redirect plan |
| Light redesign (vs like-for-like) | 3,000 - 9,000 | Refresh or faithful reuse |
| Headless development | 8,000 - 16,000 | Next.js + headless CMS |
| Content migration + 301s | 2,500 - 5,000 | Reuse, redirects, SEO QA |
| Indicative total | 15,000 - 32,000 | 2026 order of magnitude |
The "redesign" line item is the main lever: a like-for-like migration stays at the low end, a visual refresh pushes it up.
Costs vs annual savings
The migration has a one-off cost but generates recurring savings that amortise it. Here is the one-year comparison.
| Item | WordPress (before) | Next.js (after) |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting/month | 250 EUR | 30 - 90 EUR |
| Paid plugins/year | 1,200 - 2,500 EUR | 0 EUR |
| Security maintenance/month | 200 EUR | 90 - 150 EUR |
| Load time (LCP) | 4.2 s | 1.3 s |
| Plugin incidents/year | 5 - 10 | ~0 |
| Estimated annual saving | — | 3,500 - 5,500 EUR |
On the hosting + plugins line alone, a professional site commonly saves 3,500 to 5,500 EUR/year after migration.
Mini case study
Karim, IT director of a services SME in Berlin, budgets a migration at 22,000 EUR (excl. VAT). His old WordPress cost 250 EUR/month hosting, 1,800 EUR/year in plugins and caused slowness (LCP 4.2s) hurting his SEO. After migration, hosting drops to 70 EUR/month and plugins disappear, i.e. 4,000 EUR of annual savings. Add the SEO gain of a 1.3s LCP (better ranking, more organic traffic): the migration pays back in about 4.5 years on direct savings alone, faster if you value the traffic gained.
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FAQ
Why leave WordPress for Next.js?
For performance, security and recurring cost. Next.js serves ultra-fast static pages (LCP ~1.3s), removes plugin dependency and sharply reduces the attack surface. The SEO gain is real.
Will I lose my ranking during migration?
No, if the URL mapping and 301 redirects are done properly. It is precisely the 2,000-4,000 EUR audit line item that protects your earned SEO.
How long does a migration take?
Expect 8 to 14 weeks depending on content volume and redesign scope. A like-for-like migration is faster than a full visual overhaul.
Can editors keep an editing interface?
Yes, with a headless CMS (Sanity, Strapi) offering a modern editing interface. Your writers keep publishing without touching code.
What is the real return on investment?
Between 3,500 and 5,500 EUR/year in direct savings (hosting, plugins, maintenance), plus a hard-to-quantify but real SEO gain from speed. Direct payback lands around 4 to 5 years, accelerated by the traffic gained.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page volume, current hosting and whether you want like-for-like or a redesign. 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.
