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Custom CMS Development Services
We build custom CMS solutions on Sanity and Next.js for content-heavy websites, and move your content with a full URL and redirect map. Across 20+ migrations, Pagepro has had zero SEO ranking drops.
Pagepro is a Sanity Official Partner. For GP Notebook, Pagepro moved 100,000+ pages off a legacy CMS to Next.js and Sanity, and organic traffic doubled within 2 years of the relaunch.
Build your app with a custom CMS
Tell us about your challenges, and let's accelerate your growth together!
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When your CMS becomes your bottleneck
As content and teams scale, many CMS platforms stop keeping up. Publishing slows down, editors depend on developers, and content models no longer match real business needs.
Performance and SEO become harder to control, while rebuilding the website feels risky. At this stage, the problem isn’t the content or the strategy.
It’s the CMS architecture that no longer supports growth.
What Custom CMS
Development Covers
Custom CMS development covers the content model, the editorial workflow, the frontend that renders it, and the move from your current platform. Sanity is Pagepro's default platform, with Strapi when a project needs it, and Next.js renders the frontend. On top, Pagepro adds the content types, roles and tools your team needs. Some teams call this a bespoke CMS.
Replacing a legacy CMS safely
Pagepro rebuilds the CMS around your real content model, so editors work with structured content types instead of page templates. The frontend is built in Next.js, with pre-rendered pages that keep Core Web Vitals in check. Before the build, Pagepro maps content, URLs and redirects.
Typical outcomes include faster publishing and editors who change pages without a developer. For a full move off an existing CMS, Pagepro runs Replatforming with Nexity, its fixed-scope CMS migration service.
Editorial workflows and custom tools
Authors, editors and approvers each get the workflow they need: role-based publishing, localization per market, and custom tools inside the CMS, such as change history or ad placement.
Custom APIs connect the CMS to the systems your business already runs, so your team manages content in one place instead of switching between tools.
CMS architecture for content-heavy platforms
Content-heavy websites need more than page templates. We design CMS architectures based on structured content types, relationships, and reuse across sections, markets, or brands.
This allows teams to scale content production, maintain consistency, and introduce new content formats without rebuilding the CMS each time requirements change.
Custom layer on a headless CMS
Your content stays in a headless CMS and is served to the frontend through an API. The custom part sits on top: the content types, editing screens and approval steps your team works with every day.
This makes future redesigns, performance improvements, and frontend changes possible without disrupting content operations.
Plan your custom CMS project
Start Your Project With Custom CMS Specialists
What a custom CMS solves for growing teams
A custom CMS becomes relevant when standard platforms start limiting how teams publish, scale, and protect their content. Instead of adding more plugins or workarounds, a custom CMS addresses the underlying problems in how content, teams, and systems interact.
Content structure that scales with growth
Flat page-based setups break down as content grows. A custom CMS uses structured content models that make content easier to reuse, update, and expand across sections, markets, and brands without duplication.
Publishing without developers
Editors create and change pages themselves, without waiting for a sprint. Validation rules in the CMS stop broken or incomplete content before it goes live.
Performance that holds up at scale
As content volume increases, many CMS setups become slower. A custom CMS is designed to work with performance-focused frontend architectures, helping maintain speed and Core Web Vitals over time.
CMS Projects
Delivered by Our Developers
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GPnotebook
Scaling a 100K+ Page Medical Platform with Next.js & Sanity
Over 100,000 clinical reference pages — from a legacy platform to Next.js and Sanity.
SEO rankings preserved through full URL parity and 301 redirect mapping.
Core Web Vitals improved across the site.
The editorial team fully independent of engineering for daily content updates.
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Finvisor
From WordPress to Next.js & Sanity: An AI-Ready Site With Guardrails Built In
WordPress to Next.js and Sanity, live 8 weeks after kickoff.
~950 URLs kept working, with zero downtime at launch.
Mobile Core Web Vitals went from fail to pass.
Marketing builds pages in Sanity, and Claude builds new sections through reviewed pull requests.
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Toolbox
Front-end development for web app MVP with React for insurance company
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Learn Squared
Migrating an outdated e-learning platform from Drupal to Jamstack
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Localcoin
Migrating Wordpress Website to Jamstack for the financial technology company.
Get a Quick Snapshot of Your Migration ROI
How we approach custom CMS projects
Custom CMS projects fail when the focus is on tools instead of problems. Our approach is designed to reduce risk, protect SEO, and create a CMS that supports long-term growth rather than short-term delivery.
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We start with the real constraints
Every project begins with understanding what is currently blocking growth. This includes content structure limitations, publishing workflows, SEO risks, performance issues, and dependencies between marketing and engineering teams.
The goal is to solve the right problem before any architecture decisions are made.
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We design for scale, not just launch
CMS architecture is designed around future content volume, team growth, and expansion into new markets or brands. Content models, workflows, and permissions are planned so the platform remains stable as requirements evolve.
This prevents the need for repeated rebuilds as the business grows.
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We treat SEO and performance as core requirements
SEO and performance are built into the CMS from the start. URL structures, metadata control, internal linking, and rendering strategy are designed early to avoid traffic loss and performance regressions during or after launch.
This reduces risk during a CMS migration and future changes.
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We deliver in a controlled, transparent way
Projects are delivered in clear stages with defined validation points. Content, workflows, and critical pages are reviewed before launch to ensure nothing breaks under real usage.
This gives teams confidence in the platform before it goes live.
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We plan for long-term ownership
The CMS is built so internal teams can operate and evolve it without constant developer involvement. Documentation, handover, and clear governance ensure the platform remains usable and maintainable after delivery.
Audit your system, reveal the risks, plan your savings.
Get a free CMS migration assessment
Why Choose
Pagepro?
We aim to provide a seamless experience and ensure the entire development process is frictionless. We prioritise clear communication and careful project management to deliver results that meet all your expectations.
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Specialized Expertise in Sanity and React
We focus deeply on Sanity CMS, React, and Next.js, ensuring fast, secure, and scalable solutions tailored to your business.
Confirmed by the seniority of our developers.
Fair and Transparent Billing
Pay only for high-quality, value-delivered work. We follow the Frictionless Development model to optimize time and costs.
Confirmed by a 4.9 Clutch Score.
Reliable Development Standards
Enjoy robust, maintainable code aligned with industry best practices.
Confirmed by Client Retention Rate equal 92%.
Tech-Driven Strategic Partnership
CTO-level collaboration ensures your technical strategy aligns with business outcomes, every step of the way.
Confirmed by 9.7/10 client satisfaction.
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Pagepro was excellent from a project management perspective, thanks to their budget flexibility and timely adherence to our deadlines.
Apart from their technical skill and proficiency, which I really appreciate, Pagepro is very honest. Having a partner that we can trust and get to know has been critically important for us, especially since we’re working with a remote team. I trust them, and I’m very confident about their work, so I would highly recommend them.
Pagepro exhibited strong execution. They understood our technical goals and our desired performance metric. They were also very detail-oriented, and helped us achieve the KPIs we set for the project, including a lighter website, increased speed, and better SEO ranking.
"The best thing about working with Pagepro is that you guys are always learning, you always taking time to do professional development and (...) you bring back to the table things that make sense to our project"
Adam Harvey, CEO Proofed
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Pagepro in Numbers
80+
Projects Done
20+
Migrations Delivered
4.9/5
Clutch.co Rate
~20
Sanity Builds
92%
Client Retention Ratio
Custom CMS Development: Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Custom CMS and How Does It Structure Content?
A custom CMS is a content management system built around one business’s content model, editorial workflow and integrations, often on top of a headless platform. It matches the way your team works instead of the way a generic product does. A custom CMS stores content as typed, reusable pieces instead of fixed pages, so the same content can feed the website, mobile apps, emails and other channels. Built on a headless platform such as Sanity, it stays flexible for developers and simple for editors.
When Does a Custom CMS Make Sense for Your Content Team?
A custom CMS makes sense when your content model, workflows or scale no longer fit an off-the-shelf CMS, and plugins and workarounds cost more time than they save. Three signals point that way: every content change needs a developer, the same content is copied by hand across sections or markets, and each release puts rankings at risk. If none of these apply, a standard CMS is usually enough.
What Skills Are Needed to Build a Custom CMS?
Developers building custom CMS and content platforms should be fluent in JavaScript (especially React or Next.js), comfortable with headless CMS tools like Sanity, Contentful, or Strapi, and experienced in working with APIs and structured data.
At Pagepro, our team uses tools like:
React.js
Next.js
Sanity
Node.js
This tech stack allows us to create highly flexible content systems that are easy to scale and maintain.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom CMS or Content Platform?
A custom CMS build takes as long as its content types, roles and integrations need. For a move off an existing CMS, Pagepro’s Replatforming with Nexity reaches a production-ready foundation in 4 weeks: content migrated, core journeys working and editors trained. Custom integrations and advanced features are scoped at handover as Sprint 2, so the first release does not wait for them.
How Do I Choose the Right CMS Development Partner?
Look for a team with proven experience in:
Headless CMSs like Sanity, Contentful, or Strapi
Frontend frameworks like React and Next.js
Designing structured content models and editorial workflows
A strong agency will help you design a system that improves publishing speed, supports collaboration, and scales with your product. Check their case studies, developer blogs, and client reviews, and be sure they understand your team’s workflow before starting.
What’s the Difference Between a Custom CMS and a Headless CMS?
A headless CMS is a ready platform that stores content and serves it through an API; Sanity is the one Pagepro uses by default. A custom CMS is shaped around your content model, workflows and integrations, and it is often built on top of a headless platform. If a standard headless setup covers your needs, you do not need a custom one. A custom CMS makes sense when your team needs content types, roles or tools that no platform gives out of the box.
What Makes a Custom CMS Fast to Load for Your Visitors?
Speed comes from the frontend the CMS feeds through an API: pages are pre-rendered, served from a CDN and load only the content they need. With the right frontend setup (like Next.js), you get fast load times, SEO-friendly markup, and dynamic content.
Does Pagepro Offer Ongoing Support?
Yes. After launch, the platform runs under Continuous Development & Support, Pagepro’s SLA. Pagepro can also take over an existing Next.js site with a headless CMS. The SLA covers:
Post-launch help for your marketing and product teams
Maintenance and optimization
Continuous technical ownership: a fixed number of monthly hours for changes such as content model updates, and a monthly health check
What is the Cost to Build a Custom CMS?
Costs depend on scope and complexity: content volume and content types, integrations, localization and the migration work. As a rough guide, simple custom CMS builds start at around £10,000 to £20,000, while enterprise-level platforms with integrations and localization can range from £30,000 to £80,000+. For a move off a legacy CMS, Replatforming with Nexity is a fixed price, set after a free assessment and before any code is written.
Can CMS Development Services Support SEO?
Yes. A well-built CMS lets editors control meta fields, canonical URLs, sitemaps, redirects and structured data without a developer. Fast rendering in Next.js helps the site pass Core Web Vitals.
What’s Involved in Migrating to a New CMS?
Migration involves exporting existing data, cleaning and restructuring it into a new schema, and integrating it with a modern CMS like Sanity or Contentful. Pagepro handles data mapping, redirects, testing, and SEO preservation throughout the process.
Do You Need a Custom CMS for a Simple Website?
Usually not. A simple website does better on a standard or headless CMS. A custom CMS pays off when your team hits one of three signals: developer-only changes, content copied by hand, or SEO risk on each release.
How Often Should a CMS Be Updated?
Check the CMS every month for security, dependency and performance updates. Under Pagepro’s SLA, a monthly health check does this.
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Please provide detailed information about your challenge, and our tech team will promptly review your submission. Expect to hear from us within 24 hours with tailored next steps and insights based on your request.
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Upon receiving your form, we typically recommend a briefing meeting with our CEO to explore the specifics of your project. Schedule your meeting now to kickstart a tailored approach.
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Chris Lojniewski
CEO & CGO