Slingshot Bio
Roboto converged Slingshot Bio's WordPress and Shopify sites into one headless Shopify build on Next.js and Sanity, instrumented end to end and AI-ready.
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From Contentstack to Payload
We are the Contentstack to Payload migration experts
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The process
How we migrate from Contentstack to Payload
- 01
Access and gating audit
First we check the existing Contentstack and see whether the data is clean enough to move straight over to Payload, and plan around any auth walls or bot protection in the way.
- 02
Rendering assessment and extraction
Then we work out how Contentstack renders its pages and pull the content out, even without CMS access.
- 03
AI-assisted sanitization
Everything extracted runs through our sanitization pipeline, which flags slop, normalizes structure, and leaves us clean content to work with.
- 04
Content-model design with the client
Before anything moves, we agree the Payload content model with you, shaped around how your editors actually work.
- 05
Transform and soft-migrate
We transform the content to the agreed schema and run a full dry run, so mappings and edge cases prove out before production.
- 06
Execute the real migration
Once the dry run is clean, everything moves into Payload in one controlled cutover.
- 07
Redirect mapping and throttled sitemap submission
Every old URL gets mapped to its new home with the right redirect, so rankings and link equity survive the move.
- 08
Agentic-browser QA
Finally, automated browsers sweep the new site for data issues, design regressions, and missing SEO signals.
- Ready when you are. We'll bring the moving boxes.Start my migration
Challenges with Contentstack
Key pain points
Contentstack comes with a hefty price tag and an even heftier learning curve. You don’t just "spin it up," you architect it, model it, train teams, fight through workflows, and hope your budget survives the onboarding. The editor can drag when the content tree gets big, and the visual builder starts feeling like it's running a marathon with ankle weights.
Pricing is also locked behind sales calls and enterprise paperwork. Good luck, if you want to switch platforms later. The custom setups and integrations turn migration into a full-blown project. Even with strong APIs, a lot of "advanced" tasks still need bespoke dev work, meaning you’ll rely on specialists whether you like it or not.
Steep learning curve
Even seasoned teams need time to get comfortable. Content modeling and workflows aren’t "plug and play," expect onboarding sessions and a couple of headaches.
Complex initial setup
Getting everything wired up the way you want takes real developer hours. This isn’t a "spin it up on a Friday" CMS.
Performance lags in editor
Large content models and lots of entries can make the editor feel sluggish, especially when teams scale up.
Limited self-service customization
Anything beyond the basics tends to require a developer. Marketers won’t be bending this platform to their will alone.
Editor usability concerns
The visual builder is powerful but can get overwhelming fast, especially with deep nesting or complex blocks.
Content modeling complexity
You’ll spend time architecting your content upfront. If your team isn’t used to strict modeling, brace yourself.
Benefits of Payload
Key advantages
Payload is genuinely strong tech. It’s fast, open-source, developer-first, and perfect if you want full control over your content model. The Next.js integration is smooth, the admin UI is clean, and it’s one of the more flexible modern CMS options if your team prefers to build things exactly the way you want them.
Just know that if you want actual features like visual editing, Vercel Blob storage, image handling, etc, you’ll be paying extra for the privilege. If you’re considering Payload or thinking about migrating into (or out of) it, reach out to us. We can help you figure out whether it’s the right stack or guide you toward a cleaner, saner (Sanity) setup.
Integration with Next.js applications
Payload works natively with Next.js, giving you clean data fetching and a smooth development flow. It removes the usual CMS friction so you can build fast, modern frontends without hacks.
Fully customizable
Everything is configured in code, which means you can tailor the CMS to your exact use case. You define the logic, workflows, and behaviour.
Supports custom data models
You can design any content structure your project needs, from simple documents to complex relational models. This gives you full control over how content is organised and delivered.
Intuitive admin UI
Payload’s admin panel is simple, clean, and fast. Editors can create, update, and manage content without training or digging through confusing menus.
Custom plugins and APIs
You can extend Payload however you like. Build custom fields, integrate external services, or add your own API routes. Perfect for teams that need deeper project-specific functionality.
Built-in authentication
Payload comes with user auth, roles, and access control baked in. No external auth service needed, and you can customise permissions to match your editorial workflow.
Common questions
Contentstack to Payload migration FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about Contentstack to Payload migration
Contentstack doesn't publish pricing, which is standard for enterprise DXP platforms and frustrating for everyone else. Based on what we've seen, expect the entry point for a small team to start around $3,000-$5,000/month, with enterprise contracts landing in the $50,000-$150,000+ per year range depending on API usage, regions, and seats. Implementation costs run separately and typically require 8-16 weeks of developer time. If you're comparing against Contentful or Sanity at the enterprise level, Contentstack is generally in the same ballpark as Contentful but significantly more expensive than Sanity for comparable functionality.
Get in touch
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