Service

Payload CMS Platforms

Scalable, API-first content platforms on Payload CMS — TypeScript stack, headless architecture, custom content models.

4–8 weeks From €3,500

Payload CMS is a TypeScript-native, self-hosted headless CMS that gives you total control: over your data model, your admin interface, your API shape, and your deployment. It is what you reach for when a project has outgrown the constraints of traditional CMS platforms and needs something that fits the product, not the other way around.

When Payload is the right choice

You need a headless CMS that serves multiple front-ends — web, mobile app, third-party embeds
Your content model is complex: nested fields, relationships, polymorphic entries, locale-aware content
Your team includes developers who want a TypeScript API they can extend without fighting the framework
You are building a product that will evolve — not a brochure site that stays the same for years
You need role-based access: separate permissions for admin, editors, contributors, and read-only viewers

What we build on Payload

Content platforms: editorial systems for digital publications, multi-author blogs, and media sites. Three locales from one CMS, workflow states per locale, draft and publish per language.

Product backends: headless commerce backends, SaaS admin systems, and API layers that front-ends consume via REST or GraphQL. Custom Payload plugins for domain-specific logic.

Data-rich platforms: real estate listings, job boards, event systems, and catalog platforms — structured data models, search and filtering APIs, relationship fields.

Our technical approach

We build in TypeScript throughout. Payload CMS runs on Node.js with PostgreSQL (or MongoDB for legacy integrations). Front-ends are typically Next.js consuming the Payload REST/GraphQL API, with ISR or SSR depending on content freshness requirements.

We design the collection architecture before writing code — wrong data models are expensive to fix later. Every engagement includes a data model review session before development begins.

Pricing

Payload CMS platform projects from €3,500. Scope, collection complexity, and front-end requirements determine the final estimate. Discovery calls are free.

See our case study: Platform on Payload CMS. Discuss your platform.

What you get

Technical discovery & content model architecture
Payload CMS setup with custom collections & fields
REST and GraphQL API configuration
Role-based access control for editors & contributors
Front-end integration (Next.js or custom)
Production deployment with PostgreSQL & backups
Admin walkthrough & developer documentation

Investment

From €3,500 · 4–8 weeks

Fixed-price for clear scope. Time & materials for evolving products. We confirm the number before work starts — no surprise invoices.

Questions we hear often

Is Payload CMS suitable for non-technical editors?

Yes. The Payload admin is built in React and is highly customizable. We configure the admin fields and layout to match your editors' workflow.

Do you support multilingual content?

Yes. Payload has built-in locale support. We configure per-locale content fields and draft/publish states for each language.

What front-end does it pair with?

Typically Next.js, but Payload is headless — any front-end that can consume a REST or GraphQL API works. We have connected Payload to React Native apps, Vue.js front-ends, and static site generators.

Is Payload self-hosted?

Yes. You own your data. We deploy Payload to a VPS with PostgreSQL and set up automated backups. No per-seat SaaS fees.

Can Payload replace WordPress for a content-heavy site?

For developer-maintained sites, yes — and it performs significantly better. The trade-off is that Payload requires a developer to extend it, while WordPress has a plugin ecosystem for common features.

Related work

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