Custom Websites Built on Payload CMS
Fast, modern, fully controlled websites built on Payload CMS and Next.js — designed around your content, not a page builder's limitations.
Who This Is For
You want a website you can actually update yourself — new pages, new content, new blocks — without waiting on a developer for every small change, and without being boxed into a page builder's limitations.
Problems This Fixes
- A website only a developer can update
- A page builder that fights you on layout or speed
- Content, media, and SEO fields scattered across different tools
- A slow frontend that hurts Core Web Vitals and rankings
- No real content structure to build new pages from
Why Businesses Choose Payload
Payload CMS gives you a real admin panel, editable content, and reusable page blocks, running on Next.js for fast frontend delivery. It's not automatically faster than every other CMS — a well-built WordPress site can perform fine — but Payload's block-based structure and direct code-level control make it easier to keep a site fast and organized as it grows, without plugin sprawl.
What's Included
- Custom Payload CMS + Next.js build
- Editable pages built from reusable blocks
- Media library with image optimization
- Form building without code
- SEO fields (title, description, canonical, schema) on every page
When WordPress May Still Be Suitable
If you rely heavily on a specific WordPress plugin ecosystem, or your team is already fluent in the WordPress admin and the site's performance isn't currently a problem, a rebuild may not be worth the disruption. Payload makes the most sense when editing is a pain point, the site needs to grow, or speed and technical SEO are actively hurting results.
How It Works
Scope
I map out the pages, blocks, and content types your site actually needs.
Build
I build the CMS structure and frontend together, not as separate phases.
Populate
Content, media, and SEO fields get set up for every page.
Review
You review the site and request changes before launch.
Launch
The site goes live with documentation on how to edit it.
What You'll Receive
- A live Payload CMS + Next.js website
- Editor access to update pages, blocks, and media yourself
- SEO fields configured for every page
- A short walkthrough of how to make edits
When a Custom Quote Is Needed
A standard build covers a typical marketing site with a handful of page types. A custom quote is usually needed for role-based access control, complex integrations, e-commerce, or a large existing site with many page templates to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Payload CMS specifically?
Payload gives you a real admin panel and structured, reusable content blocks, while running on Next.js for fast page delivery. It's open source, TypeScript-based, and doesn't lock you into a hosted platform.
Can you migrate from WordPress?
Yes — see CMS Migration for SEO & Speed for the full scope of a migration, including URL preservation and redirect mapping so you don't lose search rankings in the process.
Will I be able to edit the website myself?
Yes. Pages are built from reusable blocks you can add, remove, and reorder yourself in the admin panel — you're not editing code to change content.
Is Payload good for SEO?
Yes — every page gets its own title, description, canonical URL, and schema fields, and the Next.js frontend is built for fast Core Web Vitals, which matters for both rankings and user experience.
Can you preserve my existing URLs?
Yes, this is planned for explicitly during a migration — see CMS Migration for SEO & Speed for how URL mapping and redirects are handled.
Do I need a developer for every content edit?
No — day-to-day content edits (text, images, new pages built from existing blocks) don't require a developer. You'd only need one for a genuinely new block type or feature.
Related Services
CMS Migration for SEO & Speed — for moving an existing site to Payload without losing rankings.
GTM & GA4 Setup — for tracking on your new site from day one.
Technical SEO & Performance — for a deeper technical foundation review.
Ready to Build a Website You Actually Control?
Send a bit about your site and I'll review the scope before any work starts.