Why we switched to Next.js
Date Published
For a long time, we implemented websites with WordPress – a system that is popular worldwide, powerful, and flexible. But a lot has changed for us in recent years. Today, we rely on Next.js for new projects. Why this change? We'd like to share our thoughts here.
1. Control belongs back in our hands
With Next.js, we develop websites without restrictions. We design frontends exactly as we and our clients need them – without having to consider themes, plugins, or outdated standards. Every component is customized. Design and functionality are created directly in the code. For us, this means more creative freedom. For our clients, this means a website that stands out from the rest.
2. Speed you can feel
Modern websites need to be fast – not just because Google likes it, but because nobody likes to wait. With Next.js, we use modern technologies such as static site generation, server components, and edge rendering to build pages that load in milliseconds. The difference is particularly noticeable compared to traditional WordPress sites – especially on mobile devices.
3. Security on a New Level
WordPress is popular – and precisely for that reason, a popular target for attacks. Many websites use dozens of plugins, themes, and extensions from various sources. This diversity also presents a security vulnerability.
With Next.js, on the other hand, we work with a minimal tech stack. Fewer dependencies mean fewer points of attack, more control. Our clients' data is in good hands with us – not hidden somewhere in old plugin code.
4. The Moment of Decision
The key moment for us was the conflict between WordPress and WPEngine. Then it became unclear how things would continue with ACF and whether there would even be an alternative. This made our work more difficult, as we were implementing the project with headless WordPress and Next.js as the frontend at the time.
As an agency that relies on sustainable solutions, it was clear to us: We didn't want to be dependent on proprietary tools where we didn't know where the journey would take us. With Next.js, we are independent and can determine how we design our projects ourselves. We decided to go all the way with Next.js and chose Payload CMS as the backend.
5. Future-proofing & modern development
Next.js is open source, developed by Vercel, and supported by a huge community. It's the framework of choice for modern web development. It allows us to directly integrate headless CMS (e.g., Payload CMS), APIs, modern authentication, animations, and everything the web needs today. And best of all, our customers benefit from a future-proof setup that's scalable and can evolve.
Conclusion:
For us, switching to Next.js was more than just a technical decision. It was a step toward clarity, control, and quality. We believe the best results come when technology supports you, not slows you down.
So, if you want a website that's fast, secure, and customized, let's talk. We build websites that don't feel like a theme – they feel like you.