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Small job

Headless WordPress development

WordPress stays as your content backend while the site itself is built as a fast, separate front end in Next.js, Astro or static output, weighed up honestly.

  • Typical scope approx. 40 h
  • Roughly 2 000 € + VAT
  • Assessment and estimate are free
Get a quote for this job +372 5685 6556

In headless WordPress, WordPress is used only to manage content. The site visitors see is built as a separate front end (for example Next.js or Astro) that fetches content from WordPress through the REST API or WPGraphQL. Editors keep working in the familiar WordPress admin, while the site can be much faster and freer in design.

This is a big job and it only fits certain cases. Before we start we go through with you whether headless makes sense at all; often an ordinary WordPress site with speed optimisation gives the same result far more cheaply.

What the work includes

  • Feasibility check. We look at your content, plugins and goal and say honestly whether headless will pay off.
  • Architecture. We choose the front-end technology (Next.js, Astro or plain static generation) and decide between the REST API and WPGraphQL.
  • Content model in WordPress. Post types, taxonomies and fields (for example with ACF) are shaped so the API hands the front end a clean, stable structure.
  • Front-end build. Page templates, navigation, images and styles as one sensible design system.
  • Preview. Editors see a draft in the front end before publishing, because the default WordPress preview no longer works.
  • Forms. Contact and enquiry forms must be rebuilt in the front end and connected to email or a CRM, since WordPress plugins are not rendered on the page.
  • Search. Search through an API query or a separate search service.
  • Redirects and SEO. Old URLs are redirected correctly; metadata, sitemap, canonical links and schema markup are carried over.
  • Hosting and deploy. The front end and WordPress can live in different places. We set up automated builds so the site updates itself when content changes.
  • Security and access. The WordPress admin is closed to the public and API access is restricted.

What we need from you

  • Access to the existing WordPress and a list of plugins.
  • A design or design direction and the priority page types.
  • A clear reason: speed, security, several channels or design freedom.
  • A decision on who will maintain and update the build after launch.

The trade-offs, honestly

With headless you lose every plugin that adds something to the page: forms, galleries, sliders, search, multilingual features and most of what SEO plugins do on the front end must be rebuilt. There are two systems instead of one, so maintenance, hosting and debugging cost more. For an ordinary company site or a small shop it is not the right choice.

What is not included

  • A full headless online shop: a considerably larger project that has to be estimated separately.
  • Creating the design from scratch.
  • Ongoing maintenance after launch: see website maintenance.

Who this suits

It suits a project where the same content goes to several channels, the site gets very heavy traffic, the design needs complete freedom or a front-end team already exists. If you only need a fast, secure site, see improving Core Web Vitals. For an unusual data model a custom plugin can help.

approx. 40 h Typical scope
50 € Hourly rate + VAT
2 000 € Estimated total

This is an estimate, not a quote. We’ll review your site free of charge first and tell you the exact time required. If the job turns out smaller, you pay less – we bill for the time actually spent.

How this job works

  1. Send an enquiry

    Send us your site address and a couple of sentences about the problem. We usually reply the same or the next working day.

  2. We review it and give you the price

    The assessment is free. You’ll know the exact time and price before you decide on anything.

  3. We do the work and report back

    We take a backup before making changes. When the work is done you get a summary of exactly what was done and what to keep an eye on going forward.

Frequently asked questions

Is headless always faster?

The front end can be faster, but a well-optimised ordinary WordPress site is often enough. We assess this first, in the free review and estimate.

Can editors still use WordPress?

Yes, content management stays in the WordPress admin. We set up preview so you can see a draft in the front end.

What happens to my plugins?

Plugins that show something on the page (forms, galleries, sliders) must be rebuilt in the front end. Plugins that work in the background remain.

Is it suitable for an online shop?

Rarely. A headless shop is a far bigger job and only makes sense where ordinary WooCommerce does not cover the need.

How long will it take and what does it cost?

After the free review and estimate the scope is clearer. We bill the actual time spent, and work usually starts within 1–3 working days.

Testimonials

What our clients say

Long-standing partnerships say more than any slogan. Several of the clients below have been with us for over seven years.

We have worked with Birk for eight years now. This time we wanted a new website for the company, and the goals were set high from the very start – in visuals, functionality, manageability and SEO. Thanks to Birk’s professional approach we got a website of a high standard that met our expectations 100%. The collaboration went smoothly because Birk is a very good and direct communicator, helpful, dependable and conscientious.
Karina Riive Karina Riive LIGNAMETS OÜ, FARMLAND PURCHASING MANAGER
We ordered a feature-rich bespoke online store from Zezz. It was also important that it integrate with our accounting software. Zezz handled the task well and has been our day-to-day web development partner since 2018. Overall score 8/10 – there is always room to do better.
Aivo Kuldmeri Aivo Kuldmeri WESTBERG KAUBANDUS, MANAGING DIRECTOR
As a client you sometimes feel that you don’t know exactly how, and sometimes not even exactly what. But our collaboration has produced a website that our own people value and others try to copy. Thank you for the patience, the good ideas and the understanding. Thank you for visualising it and making it visible. I liked that Zezz keeps its word and stays flexible.
Mart Tilk Mart Tilk MANAGER, MÄRJAMAA SPORTS CENTRE

See our clients and testimonials

Get in touch

Let’s talk about your project

The first hour of consultation is free and comes with no obligation. We usually reply the same or the next working day.

  • The first hour is free – even if we don’t end up working together
  • You get a concrete price and timeline, not a vague “about”
  • No sales pressure and no automated follow-up calls
+372 5685 6556 hello@zezz.ee

Request a quote

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