Do I need a Next.js site?

What your site actually needs

Hosting, dev stack, dev effort, backups, security, and everything in between — explained in plain language.

No jargon. No upselling. Just a clear picture of what goes into building and running a modern website.

THE STACK

What we build with

Every layer is chosen for reliability, speed, and long-term maintainability — not trend-chasing.

Foundation

Framework — Next.js

Every site is built on Next.js, the React framework used by Netflix, TikTok, and GitHub. It handles routing, rendering, image optimization, and API routes out of the box — no plugins needed.

  • React server & client components
  • File-based routing
  • Built-in image & font optimization
  • API routes for backend logic
Included

Hosting — Vercel Edge

Deployed on Vercel's global edge network — the same infrastructure that serves billions of requests per day. Pages load from the closest data center to your visitor, anywhere in the world.

  • Global CDN (100+ edge locations)
  • Automatic HTTPS / SSL
  • Zero-downtime deploys
  • Preview URLs for every change
When needed

Database — Supabase / Postgres

For sites that need user accounts, form submissions, or dynamic data, we connect a Postgres database via Supabase — fully managed, with real-time subscriptions and row-level security built in.

  • Managed PostgreSQL
  • Real-time data subscriptions
  • Row-level security (RLS)
  • REST + GraphQL APIs
Built in

Security — Zero Admin Exposure

There is no WordPress dashboard, plugin ecosystem, or database-driven login page exposed to the internet. The attack surface that causes most site hacks simply does not exist.

  • No public CMS admin panel
  • No plugin update vulnerabilities
  • Git-controlled deployments
  • Environment secrets never in the browser
DEV EFFORT

How long does it take?

Timelines depend on scope, not the technology. Here's a realistic breakdown by site type.

Site typePagesDatabaseAuthBuild time
Brochure / landing page3–5NoNo1–2 wks
Service business site5–10OptionalNo2–4 wks
Ecommerce store10–20+YesOptional4–8 wks
Member portal / SaaS15–30+YesYes6–12 wks
Multi-site / franchiseMultipleYesYesCustom

Timelines assume one developer and client feedback within 48 hrs. AI-assisted development (Cursor) cuts these by ~30–40%.

THE PROCESS

How a build unfolds

Four phases from brief to launch — and what happens after.

011–2 weeks

Discovery & Architecture

  • Define pages, features, and integrations
  • Choose data stack (static vs database)
  • Set up repo, Vercel project, and domain
  • Agree on content structure and design direction
022–6 weeks

Build & Review

  • Build all pages and components
  • Connect forms, payments, or CMS as needed
  • Review preview deployments together
  • SEO metadata, Open Graph, and schema markup
031 week

Launch

  • Point domain DNS to Vercel
  • Final performance and accessibility audit
  • Submit sitemap to Google Search Console
  • Go live — zero downtime
04Monthly

Ongoing Maintenance

  • Dependency and framework updates
  • Content and copy changes
  • Performance monitoring via Vercel Analytics
  • New features added in sprints
EVERYTHING ELSE

The full picture

The pieces that make a site production-ready — not extras to bolt on later.

Domain & DNS

Your domain registered via Cloudflare or Namecheap, pointed to Vercel with full HTTPS auto-renewed.

Backups

Every deploy is a snapshot. Roll back to any previous version instantly — Git is the backup. Database snapshots run daily via Supabase.

Email & Transactional

Transactional email (receipts, confirmations, notifications) via Resend or SendGrid — reliable delivery with open-rate tracking.

Analytics

Privacy-friendly visitor analytics via Vercel Analytics or Plausible — no cookie banners, no Google sending your data elsewhere.

Payments

Stripe for one-time payments, subscriptions, and invoicing — connected via Next.js API routes with webhook handling built in.

AI Support Layer

Front-line AI chat powered by Claude (Anthropic) — handles quick questions under 5 minutes instantly, 24/7, filtering them before they reach your team.

Ready to scope your project?

Tell us what you're building and we'll map out exactly what you need — stack, timeline, and cost.