The verdict in three sentences
Migrating a WordPress site to Next.js costs in 2026 between EUR 12,000 and 25,000 depending on page volume, the chosen headless CMS and integration complexity. The gain is twofold: +40% performance (Core Web Vitals) and a reduced attack surface, since there is no more exposed PHP or vulnerable plugins. The critical point is not the code but the 301 redirect plan: done poorly, it collapses hard-won SEO within weeks.
Why leave WordPress in 2026
WordPress is still great for publishing fast, but it carries three debts for a high-traffic B2B site: performance (PHP server rendering + plugins), security (the world's number-one bot target) and maintenance (constant updates). Next.js answers with static/edge rendering, a headless CMS (content lives in an API, not the theme) and a plugin-free core. The table compares before/after on a typical B2B catalogue site.
| Metric | WordPress | Next.js | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCP (load) | 3.2 s | 1.3 s | -59% |
| Lighthouse perf score | 55-70 | 92-99 | +40 pts |
| Attack surface | High (PHP + plugins) | Low (static) | Sharp drop |
| Hosting cost/month | EUR 30-90 | EUR 20-50 | -30% |
| Security updates | Weekly | Rare | Load divided |
| Time to first byte | 600-900 ms | 80-200 ms | -75% |
Budget and timeline of a migration
A migration is not a copy-paste: you must model the content in the headless CMS, rebuild the templates, migrate the data, build the redirect plan and test. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude by site size.
| Site size | Budget (excl. VAT) | Timeline | Recommended headless CMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brochure (10-25 pages) | EUR 12,000-16,000 | 6-7 weeks | Sanity / Strapi |
| Catalogue (25-80 pages) | EUR 16,000-20,000 | 7-9 weeks | Sanity / Contentful |
| Site + dense blog (100+ pages) | EUR 20,000-25,000 | 9-10 weeks | Contentful / Payload |
| Bilingual EN/FR added | +EUR 3,000-5,000 | +1-2 weeks | Native Next.js i18n |
| 301 redirect plan | EUR 800-2,000 | Included | — |
Mini case study
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Julien, technical director of a 40-person software vendor in London, is stuck with a WordPress at Lighthouse 68 and two hacks in 18 months. He migrates his catalogue site (55 pages) to Next.js + Sanity for EUR 18,500 in 8 weeks. Result: Lighthouse rises to 96, LCP drops from 3.2 s to 1.3 s, hosting falls from EUR 75 to 40/month (EUR 420/year saved) and security incidents vanish. Organic traffic, boosted by Core Web Vitals, grows +22% over two quarters per his analytics. Estimated payback: 18-24 months via SEO and the end of emergency rebuilds.
FAQ
How much does a WordPress to Next.js migration cost in 2026? Between EUR 12,000 and 25,000 depending on page count and headless CMS. A brochure site starts at EUR 12,000, a site with a dense blog reaches EUR 25,000.
Will I lose my SEO by migrating? Not if the 301 redirect plan is complete: every old URL must point to its new one. Done well, SEO is preserved or even improved by better Core Web Vitals.
How long does the migration take? Expect 6 to 10 weeks by size: content modelling, template rebuild, data migration, redirects and testing.
Is Next.js really faster than WordPress? Yes: on a typical B2B catalogue, LCP falls from 3.2 s to 1.3 s and the Lighthouse score from 55-70 to 92-99, thanks to static/edge rendering without PHP.
Can I keep WordPress just as a back office? Yes, in headless mode: WordPress stays the editorial CMS via its REST API while Next.js handles display. It is a cheaper variant, but it keeps part of the maintenance debt.
Let's scope your project. Share your page count, integrations and traffic volume, and we will cost the Next.js migration, the headless CMS and the redirect plan. 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.
