In this detailed case study, we’ll show how we used our skills and expertise to build a high-performance website designed to meet the growing needs of a global company.
At our development company, we pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with technology. One of our recent projects for a client in the automotive accessory industry required exactly that—a complex, headless WordPress and Next.js solution that seamlessly integrated custom content management, a dynamic frontend, and powerful backend logic. In this detailed case study, we’ll show how we used our skills and expertise to build a high-performance website designed to meet the growing needs of a global company.
We don’t just build websites; we create tailored digital experiences that empower businesses to grow, engage their audiences, and stay ahead of the curve.
The Challenge: Building a Custom Headless WordPress Solution for a Complex Product Catalog
Our client, an Australian company specializing in truck accessories, wanted to overhaul their online presence. They needed a solution that would modernize their website, streamline the user experience, and give their internal team full control over managing content. The new site would also need to handle a complex product catalog where each product had multiple variations depending on vehicle make and model.
The client was keen to adopt a headless CMS approach using WordPress as the backend, while we built a dynamic frontend using Next.js. This structure would give the client more flexibility in managing content while improving site speed and performance. It was a bold move, but one that would ultimately provide them with a future-proof platform.
Key requirements included:
Full control over content management using reusable components and custom fields
A seamless, dynamic front-end that offered fast page load times and a smooth user experience
A custom store locator feature, filtering by location and store type
A complex product catalog with a taxonomy system for various truck accessories
Multiple form integrations, including product registration and warranty inquiries
Flexibility for future scalability, including e-commerce functionality for smaller items
Our Approach: A Headless WordPress Solution Powered by Next.js
We began by laying the foundation: a headless WordPress CMS on the backend and a Next.js frontend to handle the user experience. Headless architecture allows the content management system (CMS) to operate separately from the frontend display, meaning that updates and changes could be made more easily and flexibly.
Here’s how we approached the project:
1. Content Management System (CMS): WordPress with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
For the backend, we used WordPress with the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin. ACF allowed us to create custom, reusable content blocks that the client could use across various pages. This flexibility was crucial for the client, who wanted the ability to create new pages and update content without needing to involve developers for every change.
We built a series of custom ACF blocks, such as:
Hero sections with customizable backgrounds, images, and text
Product sections that dynamically pulled in data based on user selections (vehicle make/model)
Testimonials and review carousels that could be reused across product and category pages
Interactive maps and store locators with filters for different types of distributors
The flexibility of ACF meant that the client could create virtually any page or section they needed by simply selecting and configuring the appropriate blocks in WordPress.
2. Dynamic Frontend: Next.js for Lightning-Fast Load Times
The decision to use Next.js for the frontend was based on the need for performance and scalability. Next.js is a powerful React-based framework that enables server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), both of which improve page load times and boost SEO performance.
Our Next.js implementation allowed us to build a dynamic, responsive frontend that could pull data from the WordPress backend via API calls. This ensured that the website was always fast, even when dealing with high volumes of traffic or complex data sets, such as product filtering.
Key benefits of using Next.js included:
SEO-friendly architecture: With server-side rendering, we could ensure that search engines crawled all pages efficiently, boosting visibility for key product pages.
Fast load times: Pages load almost instantly, improving the overall user experience and reducing bounce rates.
Scalability: The architecture we built allows the client to add more products, content, or even entirely new features (such as e-commerce) without needing to rebuild the entire site.
3. Complex Product Catalog and Custom Taxonomy System
Given that the client’s product catalog involved multiple variations of truck accessories for different makes and models, we needed to develop a flexible, scalable solution. To achieve this, we implemented a custom taxonomy system in WordPress.
Each product was organized under main categories (such as “Cargo Management” or “Roof Racks”) and had subcategories for specific vehicle models. This allowed users to filter products based on the make and model of their truck, ensuring that only relevant products were displayed. Additionally, the taxonomy system enabled the client to add new product categories or models easily in the future.
We also added filtering options on the frontend so that users could select their vehicle and instantly see the products compatible with their make and model. This created a personalized shopping experience, making it easy for users to find exactly what they needed.
4. Custom Store Locator with Google Maps Integration
One of the standout features we built for this website was the custom store locator. The client works with multiple distributors across Australia, and they wanted users to be able to easily find nearby stores where they could purchase or inquire about products.
Using the Google Maps API, we developed an interactive map that allowed users to search for stores based on their location. We also implemented custom filtering, so users could see different types of stores, such as major distributors or smaller specialty shops.
The store locator was tied into the custom taxonomy system, meaning that the client could prioritize certain stores based on their business relationships. For example, major distributors could be ranked higher in the search results, giving them more visibility.
5. Gravity Forms for Product Registrations, Warranties, and Inquiries
Managing customer interactions was another crucial element of the project. To handle product registrations, warranty claims, and customer inquiries, we integrated Gravity Forms into the headless WordPress backend. Gravity Forms is a robust form-building tool that allows for easy customization and automation.
We set up multiple forms for the client, including:
Product registration forms for users to register their purchases and receive additional warranties
Warranty claim forms where users could submit detailed information about their products and request support
General inquiry forms for customers to contact the client directly
One of the key advantages of Gravity Forms is its flexibility. The client can now create new forms as needed, customize form fields, and manage submissions directly from the WordPress admin panel. Additionally, we implemented email notifications to ensure that the right team members are alerted whenever a form is submitted, streamlining their internal workflows.
6. SEO Optimization and Performance Enhancements
A major focus of this project was ensuring that the new website was SEO-friendly and performed well in search engine rankings. Our use of Next.js for server-side rendering gave us an edge, but we also made sure to integrate Yoast SEO in the WordPress backend. This allowed the client to manage their meta titles, descriptions, and keywords directly within the CMS.
On top of that, we optimized the site for performance by implementing best practices such as:
Image optimization: Compressed images without sacrificing quality to ensure faster load times.
Lazy loading: Ensured that images and other non-critical assets only loaded when they appeared on the user’s screen.
Caching strategies: Applied caching techniques to reduce server load and improve speed.
These performance improvements not only helped with SEO but also contributed to an enhanced user experience by keeping page load times low and responsiveness high.
Overcoming Challenges: Lessons Learned and Improvements Made
As with any complex project, we encountered several challenges along the way. One of the most significant was the learning curve involved with working on a headless WordPress project of this scope. Headless CMS architectures require custom implementations for features that come standard in traditional WordPress environments, such as content previews and SEO integration.
We also had to account for the additional complexity of product management. Each product variation needed to be associated with specific vehicle models, and this required careful planning and custom development to ensure that the user experience was intuitive and seamless.
However, through close collaboration with the client and agile problem-solving, we were able to deliver a solution that not only met their requirements but exceeded their expectations.
The Results: A Fast, Flexible, and Scalable Headless WordPress Website
By the end of the project, we had delivered a high-performance website that was fast, scalable, and easy to manage. The client’s internal team now has full control over content updates, product management, and form submissions—all without needing constant developer intervention.
The website is designed to grow with the business. As the client adds new products, launches marketing campaigns, or expands into e-commerce, the platform we built will easily accommodate these changes. Additionally, the headless architecture ensures that future enhancements can be rolled out without compromising performance.
Why Choose Us for Your Headless WordPress and Next.js Project?
At our development company, we specialize in custom solutions that are built to last. Whether you’re looking for a headless WordPress CMS, complex product management, or custom integrations like store locators and interactive forms, we have the expertise to make your vision a reality.
Our team combines deep technical knowledge with a collaborative approach, ensuring that every project is tailored to the specific needs of our clients. From concept to launch, we’re committed to delivering digital experiences that drive results.
If you’re ready to take your website to the next level, get in touch with us today. We’ll help you create a platform that’s not only visually stunning but also optimized for performance, scalability, and growth.
