Contents —
- When to use NextJS and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: Large multi-user websites using NextJS and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: Client-side rendered applications using NextJS and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: Content-heavy websites using Next.js and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: E-commerce websites using NextJS and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: Finance websites using Next.js and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: SaaS websites using NextJS and headless CMS
- NextJS examples: Entertainment and gaming websites use Next.js and headless CMS
- What else can be built with NextJS and headless CMS?
- Ready to build your own NextJS example?
NextJS examples in this article prove that CMS for NextJS is a great option for building content-driven, high-performance websites.
Headless CMSs separate your content from your presentation, whereas NextJS is a React framework that makes creating server-rendered and static web pages simple.
How to do that?
These 60 examples will resolve the mystery much better than I do.
Let’s explore all popular websites that leverage the capabilities of NextJS CMS across various categories.
When to use NextJS and headless CMS
Using Next.js and headless CMS together is a perfect choice if:
The content will be updated frequently or needs to be up-to-date at all times.
Real-time publishing support is necessary
Fast page load times
Friendly interface and a great user experience
Possibility to add content effortlessly
SEO efficiency
Seamless maintenance
These are just some reasons why many companies have chosen Next.js and CMS to create modern and scalable websites.
NextJS examples: Large multi-user websites using NextJS and headless CMS
There are many users on these sites, heavy traffic, and data are generated constantly. Such websites must, therefore, meet the following requirements:
Website performance - so the website won't slow down with more users
Website scalability – so traffic spikes won't crash your site
Constant rendering - so the most current data is always available
Hulu
Hulu is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of on-demand content, including TV shows, movies, documentaries, and original programming. It is one of the major streaming platforms in the United States and is known for its extensive content library.
Why Hulu uses NextJS and headless CMS
According to the Hulu Case Study, this company migrated to Next.js because of server-side rendering. With data coming from many sources and a fundamental need for SEO, server-side rendering was a must for Hulu; on the other side, using a headless CMS to manage all those different data sources and make TV and movies easily accessible online.
Which headless CMSs does Hulu use?
Hulu tech stack:
Next.js
Salesforce
WordPress
Craft CMS
Shopify
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Airbnb
Airbnb is a website that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people looking for lodging in specific areas.
Why Airbnb uses Next.js and headless CMS
Design travel websites with destination guides, reviews, and booking options. The CMS manages travel information, while Next.js ensures a smooth booking experience and multimedia-rich pages.
Which headless CMS does Airbnb use?
Airbnb tech stack:
WordPress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Spotify for Artists
Spotify for Artists is a platform musicians and music labels use to manage their profiles and track analytics. Through it, artists can take control of their music on Spotify, gain insights into their audience, and engage with their fans.
Why Spotify for Artists uses Next.js and headless CMS
Spotify used Next.js and CMS to create a dynamic and content-rich website. Next.js and headless CMS integration allow Spotify to design a website with videos, podcasts, and live events. The CMS handles media content, while Next.js provides an interactive and engaging interface.
Which headless CMS does Spotify for Artists use?
Spotify for Artists tech stack:
Next.js
Khoros
Contentful
WordPress
Salesforce
Source: https://whatcms.org/
TikTok
TikTok is a popular social media platform for sharing short-form mobile videos with millions of daily users.
Why TikTok uses Next.js and headless CMS
TikTok uses Next.js and CMS integration to develop a social network with user profiles, posts, comments, and notifications. The CMS manages user-generated content, while Next.js delivers real-time interactions.
Which headless CMS TikTok use
TikTok tech stack:
Next.js
WordPress
Docusaurus
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Twitch
Another social media platform that allows users to chat, interact, and enjoy different types of content and entertainment together.
Why Twitch uses Next.js and headless CMS
Next.js App Router supports streaming by default. It improves both the initial page loading performance and UI rendering that relies on slower data fetches that would block rendering the entire route. On the other hand, headless CMS APIs enable consistent content delivery across different platforms. And that makes live streaming even more effortless.
Which headless CMS does Twitch use
tech stack:
Next.js
Salesforce
Jekyll
Discourse
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: Client-side rendered applications using NextJS and headless CMS
Single-page applications are websites or web applications that dynamically rewrite the current page rather than reloading it. In SPA, the initial HTML, JavaScript, and CSS resources are loaded with the first request, and subsequent interactions with the application are handled by making API requests to the server (the part that CMS slays) and dynamically updating the content on the page.
Requirements for SPA:
No full-page reloads: SPAs avoid full-page reloads, which can lead to a smoother and more responsive user experience.
Client-side routing: Client-side routing is often used to manage different views or components within the same page.
Faster load times: SPAs can provide shorter load times for subsequent interactions once the initial resources are loaded because they only fetch and render the necessary data.
Marvel
Marvel is the official Next.js website for Marvel films, characters, comic books, and television shows.
Why Marvel uses Next.js and headless CMS
Responsive user experience. Is there a better way to display Marvel heroes than a responsive user design? Grid systems that allow Marvel heroes to expand or contract based on screen size make the same heroes more real and vivid. Also, media elements (in this case, heroes) can scale and resize gracefully to remain clear and visually appealing on different devices.
Also, touch-based interactions provide great responsive UX, making customers connect with the product even more and want to buy it.
Which headless CMS does Marvel use
Marvel tech stack:
Next.js
Zendesk
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is a website where you can buy and sell tickets for concerts, sporting events, plays, and other similar events.
Why Ticketmaster uses NextJS and headless CMS
The Ticketmaster website operates on large amounts of data and implements many integrations. Payment processors, analytic tools, user feedback collectors, customer data platforms, A/B testing, and personalization all cooperate seamlessly, with no-bugging performance thanks to Next.js and headless CMS integration.
Which headless CMS does Ticketmaster use
Ticketmaster tech stack:
Jekyll
WordPress
Drupal
Salesforce
Zendesk
Next.js
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Condé Nast Publications
Condé Nast is a media company that creates and distributes every type of media today: print, video, film, digital, audio, and social media content.
Why Condé Nast uses NextJS and headless CMS
Condé Nast uses CMS as a tool for media storage and content delivery. Thanks to CDNs, Condé Nast can distribute media files globally, ensuring fast loading times for users in different geographical locations. Next.js can retrieve relevant media files directly from the media server or CDN when content is requested, ensuring efficient and optimized delivery.
Which headless CMS does Condé Nast use
Condé Nast tech stack:
Next.js
Contentful
Webflow
Gatsby
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: Content-heavy websites using Next.js and headless CMS
As I mentioned in the previous category, media companies, it is time to list websites that use Next.js and a headless CMS to improve their online presence. Unlike the earlier sections, in this one, I will only mention the general requirements needed for media websites, which Next.js and the CMS fulfill. How do I know it's fulfilling? The following is a list of world-famous media outlets that have opted for this tech stack.
Content-heavy websites, such as news portals, blogs, and media websites, have unique requirements due to the volume and diversity of content they handle.
Here are the key requirements for building and maintaining content-heavy websites:
Scalability - Content-heavy websites must handle many articles, videos, images, and other media. The architecture should be scalable to accommodate increasing content.
User-friendly content creation - Content creators and editors need user-friendly tools to create and update content easily.
Performance optimization - Website performance needs to handle the large volume of content. Techniques like lazy loading images, content caching, and pagination must come out of the box.
Content Delivery Network - CDNs quickly deliver media content, such as images and videos, to users worldwide.
Mobile responsiveness- Media websites must be fully responsive and provide a great user experience on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Multi-channel publishing: Media websites must adapt content for different channels and platforms, including mobile apps, email newsletters, and social media.
The New York Times
Which headless CMS does The New York Times use
New York Times tech stack:
Shopify
Medium
Next.js
Visual Studio
Tumblr
WordPress
Gatsby
Zendesk
Laravel
Source: https://whatcms.org/
National Geographic
Which headless CMS does National Geographic use
National Geographic tech stack:
Magento
Salesforce
Zendesk
Adobe Experience Manager
Source: https://whatcms.org/
BBC Sport
Which headless CMS does BBC Sport use
BBC Sport tech stack:
Shopify
Hugo
Gatsby
Next.js
Visual Studio
Source: https://whatcms.org/
CNN
Which headless CMS does CNN use
CNN tech stack:
Shopify
WordPress
Drupal
Next.js
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Bloomberg
Which headless CMS does Bloomberg use
Bloomberg tech stack:
Next.js
WordPress
Ruby on Rails
Source: https://whatcms.org/
The Guardian
Which headless CMS does The Guardian use
The Guardian tech stack:
Craft CMS
WordPress
Concrete5
Laravel
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Wired Vogue
Which headless CMS does Wired Vogue use
Wired Vogue tech stack:
WordPress
Squarespace
Umbraco
Ning
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Time
Which headless CMS does Time use
Time tech stack:
WordPress
Zendesk
Source: https://whatcms.org/
National Public Radio (NPR)
Which headless CMS does NPR use
NPR tech stack:
WordPress
Drupal
SilverStripe CMS
Salesforce
Tumblr
Laravel
Source: https://whatcms.org/
New Yorker
Which headless CMS does New Yorker use
New Yorker tech stack:
Shopify
WordPress
Squarespace
Umbraco
Gatsby
Next.js
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Washington Post
Which headless CMS does the Washington Post use
Washington Post tech stack:
Next.js
Methode
WordPress
Shopify
Drupal
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Reuters
Which headless CMS does Reuters use
Reuter's tech stack:
Arc Publishing
Laravel
Next.js
Django
Source: https://whatcms.org/
New York Magazine
Which headless CMS does New York Magazine use
NY Magazine tech stack:
WordPress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Vanity Fair
Which headless CMS does Vanity Fair use
Vanity Fair tech stack:
Shopify
Umbraco
Laravel
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Wall Street Journal
Which headless CMS does the Wall Street Journal use
WSJ tech stack:
WordPress
Next.js
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Vice
Which headless CMS does Vice use
Vice tech stack:
Shopify
Next.js
Craft CMS
Webflow
Discourse
Gartsby
Squarespace
Ruby on Rails
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: E-commerce websites using NextJS and headless CMS
The bigger the E-commerce website is, the more significant the impact of the conversion rate on revenue. In other words, the customer journey and shopping experience should result in sales as often as possible.
E-commerce website requirements
Fast page load speed – so browsing and shopping is possible
Ability to make frequent changes – so the online store is always up to date
Third-party systems – to incorporate your webshops with systems like PIM, ERP, and marketing automation tools
Security - to protect against common e-commerce security threats, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
Product reviews and ratings - User-generated product reviews and ratings are possible.
Payment processing - Integration with secure payment gateways
Adidas
Which headless CMS does Adidas use
Adidas tech stack:
Salesforce
Next.js
Visual Studio
Ruby on Rails
Drupal
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Deliveroo
Which headless CMS does Deliveroo use
Deliveroo tech stack:
Next.js
Concrete5
Freshii
Which headless CMS does Freshii use
Freshii tech stack:
Next.js
Zendesk
Source: https://whatcms.org/
AT&T
Which headless CMS does AT&T use
AT&T tech stack:
Shopify
Next.js
ATG Web Commerce
Crafter CMS
WordPress
Drupal
Gatsby
Django
Salesforce
Visual Studio
CodeIgniter
Source: https://whatcms.org/
GoPro
Which headless CMS does GoPro use
GoPro tech stack:
Salesforce
Next.js
Django
Laravel
Ruby on Rails
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Hilton Hotels
Which headless CMS does Hilton Hotels use
Hilton Hotels techs stack:
Next.js
Laravel
WordPress
SiteCore
Tumblr
Visual Studio
Salesforce
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Nike
Which headless CMS does Nike use
Nike tech stack:
Next.js
Ruby on Rails
Shopify
Gatsby
Visual Studio
Duda
Magento
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Target
Which headless CMS does Target use
Target tech stack:
Next.js
Drupal
Kentico
Salesforce
Squarespace
WordPress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Porsche
Which headless CMS does Porcshe use
Porsche tech stack:
Magnolia CMS
SiteCore
WordPress
Next.js
SAP Commerce Cloud
Django Framework
Contentful
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: Finance websites using Next.js and headless CMS
Building a finance website means you need to develop a secure website. Next.js, combined with a headless CMS, can help you create a trustful website to manage payments and transactions without fear of attack and hacking.
Finance website requirements:
A simple navigation system - to make browsing the website accessible for visitors
An easy-to-use design - so that visitors can easily understand what you offer
Non-confusing user experience for the customers - so visitors know what to do next
Western Union
Which headless CMS does Western Union use
Adobe Experience Manager
C1 CMS
WordPress
Salesforce
Gatsby
Drupal
Moodle
Next.js
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Nubank
Which headless CMS does Nubank use
Nubank tech stack:
Next.js
WordPress
Discourse
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Sumup
Which headless CMS does Sumup use
Sumup tech stack:
Next.js
WordPress
Contentful
Docusaurus
Zendesk
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Verge Currency
Which headless CMS does Verge Currency use
Verge Currency tech stack:
Next.js
XenForo
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: SaaS websites using NextJS and headless CMS
When delivering applications over the Internet-as-a-service, Next.js makes it super simple to run some server-side code.
The main goal of SaaS websites is to present the offer in an appealing way to get their contact information, convince visitors to start a trial, or convert visitors into paying customers.
SaaS website requirements:
Cloud-Based - eliminates the need for users to download and install software locally
High performance – to get higher Google rankings
Complete SEO support – so you can grow organic traffic consistently
Integrations with customer analytics and automation marketing tools - so you can get to know your customers better
Subscription model – where users pay a recurring fee (monthly or annually) to access the software.
HubSpot
Which headless CMS does HubSpot use
HubSpot tech stack:
HubSpot
Khoros
PrestaShop
Next.js
Moodle
Django Framework
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Loom
Which headless CMS does Loom use
Loom tech stack:
Next.js
Contentful
Zendesk
Ruby on Rails
Discourse
Shopify
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Zendesk
Which headless CMS does Zendesk use
Zendesk tech stack:
Medium
Gatsby
Webflow
Next.js
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Kentico
Craft CMS
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Typeform
Which headless CMS does Typeform use
Typeform tech stack:
Contentful
Next.js
Gatsby
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Invision
Which headless CMS does Invision use
Invision tech stack:
Zendesk
Next.js
Hugo
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Product Hunt
Which headless CMS does Product Hunt use
Product Hunt tech stack:
Next.js
Ruby on Rails
Medium
Auth0
Which headless CMS does Auth0 use
Auth0 tech stack:
Next.js
Discourse
Contentful
WordPress
Magento
Craft CMS
nopCommerce
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Grammarly
Which headless CMS does Grammarly use
Grammarly tech stack:
Next.js
Contentful
Zendesk
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Notion
Which headless CMS does Notion use
Notion tech stack:
Next.js
Contentful
Webflow
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Snappify
Which headless CMS does Snappify use
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Veed.io
Which headless CMS does Veed.io use
Veed.io tech stack:
Next.js
Ghost
Webflow
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Wordtune
Which headless CMS does Wordtune use
Wordtune tech stack:
Next.js
Webflow
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Figma
Which headless CMS does Figma use
Figma tech stack:
Sanity
Blogger
Zendesk
Ruby on Rails
Discourse
Django Framework
Shopify
Docusaurus
Next.js
WordPress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: Entertainment and gaming websites use Next.js and headless CMS
Entertainment and gaming must run smoothly to be fun and user-friendly. These are sites that manage a lot of heavy and rich content. To do this successfully, large entertainment and gaming companies are migrating to Next.js and CMS integration that can fulfill the following requirements:
Performance for media-heavy content - Next.js optimizes performance by providing automatic code splitting and image optimization, ensuring fast page loading and smooth user experiences.
On-the-go entertainment and gaming experience - mobile-responsive design ensures that fun is everywhere you go.
Real-time features - the gaming website must support real-time gameplay, chat, and interactive features.
Scalability for traffic spikes: Gaming websites often experience spikes during game releases, updates, and live events. So, they need tools that ensure the website can handle these surges in traffic without compromising performance.
Plex
Which headless CMS does Plex use
Plex tech stack:
Next.js
Discourse
WordPress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
HBO Max
Which headless CMS does HBO Max use
HBO Max tech stack:
Next.js
Wordpress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Epic Games
Which headless CMS does Epic Games use
Epic Games tech stack:
vBulletin
Salesforce
Next.js
Visual Studio
Source: https://whatcms.org/
EA games
Which headless CMS does EA Games use
EA Games tech stack:
Next.js
Khoros
Vanilla Forums
Visual Studio
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Game spot
Which headless CMS does Game Spot use
Game spot tech stack:
Shopify
Gatsby
Next.js
Source: https://whatcms.org/
IGN
Which headless CMS does IGN use
IGN tech stack:
Next.js
Squarespace
Django
MediaWiki
XenForo
Shopify
Webflow
Source: https://whatcms.org/
What else can be built with NextJS and headless CMS?
The choice is immeasurable. Here are some more inspiring examples:
NextJS examples: Job Boards
Did you know you can use headless CMS to build a job board? Well, Netflix knew it for sure. Combined with Next.js, Netflix's job board looks like this:
Why build a job board with NextJS and CMS?
This integration is a great choice for building job board websites because it meets the following requirements:
SEO Optimization for job listings Job boards heavily rely on search engines; server-side rendering ensures that search engines quickly crawl and index job listings and content, resulting in better search engine rankings.
Real-time updated job listings capabilities make it suitable for displaying and updating job listings, ensuring job seekers see the latest opportunities.
Serverless deployment The Next.js job board can be deployed on serverless platforms, simplifying the process of posting new job listings and making updates, ensuring that the job board remains current and up-to-date.
Which headless CMS does Netflix use
Netflix tech stack:
Next.js
Squarespace
Contentful
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: Real estate listings website: Zillow
You can create a website that allows users to search for and list real estate properties.
The website should provide features:
Complete property information, including descriptions, images, and amenities
Contact info about sellers or agents for inquiriesIntegration with maps that can enhance the UX by visualizing property locations
Which headless CMS does Zillow use
Zillow tech stack:
Next.js
WordPress
Source: https://whatcms.org/
NextJS examples: Online learning platform: Learn Squared
You can develop an online learning platform where instructors can create and publish courses, and students can enroll and access course materials.
The platform should include features such as:
course progress tracking
discussion forums
secure payment integration
Which headless CMS does Learn Squared use
Learn Squared tech stack:
Drupal
Next.js
NextJS examples: Music streaming platform: Spotify
Spotify uses Next.js to create a music streaming platform where users can listen to their favorite songs and discover new music.
Spotify needed the following features:
User registration and authentication
Music playback and streaming
Playlist creation and management
Recommendations based on user preferences
Which headless CMS does Spotify use
Spotify tech stacks:
Next.js
Khoros
Contentful
WordPress
Salesforce
Source: https://whatcms.org/
Ready to build your own NextJS example?
In this blog post, I showcase some of the best examples of Next.js websites and web applications you can build with a headless CMS.
As these 60 examples show, Next.js is a versatile tool that can be used for any project, from simple personal websites to large-scale eCommerce stores.
These two technologies empower you to create responsive, fast, flexible, and scalable websites to meet your audience's demands.
Now, it's time to take action. If you're planning your next website project, consider leveraging the power of Next.js and a headless CMS to build a site that not only meets but exceeds your goals.
Choose BCMS, headless CMS for Nextjs, and take the first step towards building your website with Next.js and CMS. Build flexibility and engagement that will set you apart in the digital landscape. Your next website project starts now.