Why Teams Are Switching from WordPress to Next.js & Sanity

Struggling with slow WordPress sites or plugin overload? You’re not alone. In 2025, teams are ditching WordPress for modern stacks like Next.js and Sanity to unlock faster performance, scalable content, and SEO-friendly architecture. As businesses grow, WordPress’s limitations — bloated plugins, sluggish load times, and rigid workflows — can hold back progress.

Enter Next.js and Sanity: a powerful duo that delivers blazing-fast sites, flexible content management, and robust SEO. Whether you’re a CTO, developer, or marketer, this shift is transforming how teams build and scale websites. In this guest post, we’ll explore why teams are migrating from WordPress, the benefits of this modern stack, and how to ensure a seamless, SEO-safe transition. Ready to modernize your site? See Pagepro’s free Next.js & Sanity Migration Checklist to get started.

Why WordPress Is Holding Teams Back

WordPress powers over 40% of the web, but it’s not keeping up with modern demands. Here’s why teams are moving away:

• Slow Load Times: WordPress sites often score below 70 on Google Lighthouse due to heavy themes and plugins, hurting Core Web Vitals and SEO.
• Plugin Bloat: Managing 10+ plugins increases maintenance costs and security risks, slowing development.
• Limited Flexibility: WordPress struggles with dynamic, app-like experiences needed for modern frontends.
• Scalability Challenges: Growing businesses face bottlenecks with traffic spikes or complex content needs.

These pain points push teams toward modern stacks that prioritize speed, flexibility, and SEO. Learn how Pagepro solves these issues.

What Makes Next.js & Sanity the Modern Stack of Choice?

Next.js and Sanity form a modern stack that addresses WordPress’s shortcomings. Here’s how:

Next.js for Performance and SEO

Next.js, a React-based framework, powers fast, scalable websites with:

• Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG): Deliver sub-1-second load times for better user experience and SEO.
• Built-in SEO Features: Clean URLs, automatic meta tags, and pre-rendering boost search rankings.
• Developer-Friendly: Streamlined workflows for React developers, reducing build times.

Sanity for Flexible Content

Sanity, a headless CMS, offers unmatched content management:

• Structured Content: Custom schemas support complex content needs, unlike WordPress’s rigid structure.
• Real-Time Editing: Collaborate seamlessly with live previews, ideal for large teams.
• Headless Architecture: Deliver content to web, apps, or IoT via APIs, ensuring scalability.

Why They Work Together

Next.js’s frontend power pairs with Sanity’s flexible backend to create SEO-friendly, scalable sites. This stack supports dynamic experiences, multi-channel publishing, and high performance, making it ideal for growing businesses. Explore Sanity’s features.

Top Reasons Teams Migrate to Next.js & Sanity

Why are teams making the switch? Here are the key drivers:

• Blazing-Fast Performance: Next.js delivers sub-1-second load times, scoring 90+ on Lighthouse, boosting Core Web Vitals and SEO.
• Scalable Architecture: Sanity’s headless setup handles traffic spikes and complex content, perfect for SaaS or e-commerce.
• Developer Freedom: Next.js’s React-based workflow speeds up development compared to WordPress’s PHP constraints.
• Content Team Efficiency: Sanity’s real-time editing and custom schemas streamline workflows for editors.
• SEO Advantage: Cleaner URLs, faster pages, and structured data (e.g., schema markup) improve rankings.

These benefits make Next.js and Sanity a game-changer for teams outgrowing WordPress. See how Pagepro helps teams migrate.

Real-World Success: A Migration Story

A SaaS startup faced slow WordPress load times and limited content flexibility, hurting conversions. Partnering with Pagepro, they migrated to Next.js and Sanity, achieving:

• 60% Faster Load Times: Sub-1-second pages improved Core Web Vitals and SEO.
• 25% Higher Conversions: Better UX reduced bounce rates.
• Seamless SEO Preservation: 301 redirects ensured no ranking loss.

With Pagepro’s expertise, the migration was smooth, delivering a scalable, high-performing site. Read more success stories.

How to Ensure a CMS Migration SEO Success

Migrating to Next.js and Sanity can boost SEO, but only with proper planning. Here’s how to protect your rankings:

Plan with SEO in Mind

• Audit all URLs and track current rankings using tools like Google Search Console.
• Map existing content to new locations to avoid gaps.

Prioritize Redirects

• Use 301 redirects for every changed URL to preserve link equity.
• Test redirects in staging to catch errors early.

Test Before Launch

• Run crawl simulations (e.g., Screaming Frog) to check for broken links.
• Optimize for Core Web Vitals with tools like PageSpeed Insights.

Monitor Post-Launch

• Track rankings and 404 errors in Google Search Console.
• Watch engagement metrics (e.g., bounce rate) for UX issues.

These steps ensure your migration strengthens, not harms, your SEO. See Pagepro’s Migration Checklist.

Is Next.js & Sanity Right for Your Team?

Not every team needs to migrate. Here’s when Next.js and Sanity shine:

Good Fit:

• Growing businesses needing speed and scalability (e.g., SaaS, e-commerce).
• Content-heavy sites requiring multi-channel publishing.
• Teams wanting developer-friendly workflows and modern frontends.

Not Ideal:

• Simple blogs with minimal content needs.
• Low-budget projects reliant on WordPress’s plugin ecosystem.

Common Migration Challenges (and Quick Fixes)

Migrations can hit snags, but here’s how to avoid them:

• Redirect Errors: Map all URLs and test 301s to prevent 404s. Use tools like Ahrefs for validation.
• Content Gaps: Audit content to ensure no pages are lost. Recreate or redirect missing pages.
• Performance Risks: Optimize images and scripts for Core Web Vitals. Use Next.js’s built-in optimizations.
• Team Training: Leverage Sanity’s documentation for quick editor onboarding.

With planning, these challenges are manageable. Contact Pagepro for expert migration support.

Conclusion

Teams are migrating from WordPress to Next.js and Sanity for faster performance, scalable architecture, and SEO-friendly design. This modern stack delivers sub-1-second load times, flexible content workflows, and developer freedom, making it ideal for growing businesses. With careful planning—URL audits, 301 redirects, and post-launch monitoring—you can transition without losing SEO momentum.

FAQ

Does migrating to Next.js and Sanity improve SEO?

Yes, migrating to Next.js and Sanity can improve SEO. Next.js’s fast load times (sub-1s) and clean URLs boost Core Web Vitals, while Sanity’s structured content supports schema markup. Proper 301 redirects during migration preserve rankings, making it a strong choice for SEO-safe CMS migration.

Why choose Sanity over WordPress for content management?

Sanity is preferred over WordPress for its headless architecture, offering flexible schemas and real-time editing. Unlike WordPress’s rigid editor, Sanity scales for complex content needs and multi-channel publishing, making it ideal for teams seeking modern, efficient workflows.

How long does a WordPress to Next.js migration take?

A WordPress to Next.js migration typically takes 4–8 weeks for small sites and 3–6 months for larger ones. Timelines depend on planning, testing, and redirects. A detailed strategy, like Pagepro’s, ensures a smooth, SEO-safe transition.

Can a headless CMS like Sanity scale for large teams?

Yes, Sanity scales well for large teams with its real-time collaboration, API-driven architecture, and custom content modeling. It handles high traffic and complex workflows, making it suitable for enterprises or growing businesses needing robust CMS solutions.

Why is Next.js better than WordPress?

Next.js outshines WordPress with faster performance (sub-1s vs. 3-5s load times), built-in SEO features (SSR/SSG, clean URLs), and a React-based workflow. Unlike WordPress’s plugin-heavy, PHP-based structure, Next.js offers scalability and developer flexibility for modern web apps.

Is Sanity a good CMS?

Yes, Sanity is a good CMS for teams needing flexibility and scalability. Its headless design, real-time editing, and structured content support complex projects, outperforming WordPress’s rigid framework. It’s ideal for dynamic sites but requires developer setup, unlike WordPress’s out-of-box ease.