Headless CMS for New Zealand SMEs & Startups

For New Zealand SMEs, choosing the right CMS can be the difference between a slow, vulnerable site and a high-performing, future-proof platform. Headless architecture is now the default for teams who want speed, security, and freedom from plugin bloat.

What is a Headless CMS?

A headless CMS separates the backend (content) from the frontend (website/app), giving complete freedom to build unique experiences with the best tools (e.g., Next.js) without theme/plugin limits.

Why Are NZ SMEs Switching?

• Performance: global CDN + modern rendering
• Security: smaller attack surface than legacy CMS
• Flexibility: integrate any API, any device
• Scalability: add features without rewrites
• Mobile-first: built for today’s audience

Best CMS Platforms for SMEs (2025)

Payload CMS

Our top pick for NZ SMEs: open-source, developer-friendly, beautiful admin, secure by design, and Next.js-native—without SaaS seat fees.

• ✅ Self-hosted (own your data)
• ✅ Custom roles & field types
• ✅ Active community (NZ + global)
• ✅ No vendor lock-in

Contentful

Enterprise-ready cloud CMS with strong reliability and global CDN; great integrations. Expect higher monthly costs at scale.

Sanity

Real-time editing, collaborative workflows, and great dev tools—popular with NZ content teams.

Strapi

Flexible open source platform ideal for larger SMEs and custom builds.

ROI: The Numbers Don’t Lie

• 40–60% faster page loads vs legacy CMS
• +25% organic traffic (Core Web Vitals + SEO)
• Lower ongoing costs with self-hosting where suitable
• Reduced maintenance overhead for IT

How NullGlitch Works With NZ SMEs

We partner closely to:

• Audit content & workflows
• Recommend the right platform
• Migrate content + build a Next.js frontend
• Train editors + provide ongoing support

Get Started With CMS New Zealand Experts

Ready to upgrade? Contact NullGlitch for a cost-effective CMS. We specialise in Payload, Contentful and Strapi.

Learn more about our Headless CMS services →