Web Development

Payload CMS Developer Perth

I'm Brad Farleigh, a Perth Payload CMS and Next.js developer for agencies, dev teams and businesses. Features, integrations, fixes and builds, each starting with a discovery session and a fixed-price quote.

Email hello@bradfarleigh.com or use the live chat. I don't take phone calls, so everything is in writing from the start.

Get in touch

Payload CMS development for agencies and dev teams

You've already decided on Payload. You know why it's the right choice for the project. You need a developer who can pick up a defined piece of work without hand-holding.

I've spent 17+ years building for the web across WordPress, Shopify and now Payload CMS. I understand the full stack, from collection configs and access control through to Next.js frontends and production deployment. I work white-label, direct or as a subcontractor.

What I build

Collections, fields and data modelling

Custom collection configs, complex field types, conditional logic, relationship fields, polymorphic blocks and array fields. I translate your data requirements into a clean Payload schema that generates the admin experience your client needs.

Access control and authentication

Role-based access control, field-level permissions, collection-level policies and custom auth strategies. Multi-tenant setups where different user groups see different content and have different editing rights.

Hooks, plugins and custom logic

beforeChange, afterChange and beforeRead hooks for custom business logic. Data validation, automated workflows, third-party API integrations and event-driven processing. Custom Payload plugins when the project calls for reusable functionality.

Next.js frontend development

Server components, dynamic routing, ISR, image optimisation and responsive layouts. I build the frontend to match your designs, pulling content from Payload's REST or GraphQL APIs, with TypeScript throughout from CMS to component.

Headless CMS and API layer

Payload as a headless backend powering multiple frontends. REST and GraphQL API configuration, custom endpoints, webhook integrations, and content delivery to web, mobile or any other channel.

Migration from WordPress or other platforms

Content migration scripts, data transformation, URL mapping and redirect handling. I've built on WordPress for 17 years, so I know what's involved in moving a complex site to Payload without losing content or search rankings.

Deployment and infrastructure

Vercel, Railway, Docker or your preferred hosting. CI/CD pipelines, staging environments and preview deployments. PostgreSQL or MongoDB depending on project requirements. The hosting account sits in your name.

How I work with agencies

White-label. I work under your brand, and your client doesn't need to know I'm involved.
Subcontract. I slot into your project as an external Payload developer, talking directly to your PM or tech lead.
Fixed quotes. A collection set, an integration, a fix or a full build, each with its own fixed quote.

I'm based in Perth (AWST, UTC+8), work asynchronously across time zones, and I'm comfortable in your project management tools, Git workflow and chat channels.

What does it cost?

Every job starts with a discovery session. Everything after that is a fixed quote.

In the discovery or scoping session I review the requirements and quote the work.

Complexity, the number of collections, custom functionality and frontend requirements all factor into the quote. If you already have a detailed spec, discovery can be quick. The price is in dollars, not hours, and no GST is added. There's more on how a job runs on Working With Me.

Why work with me directly?

Senior developer, direct access. No account managers or junior devs. I write the code.
I know the Payload ecosystem. No time lost on onboarding.
Full-stack. Payload backend, Next.js frontend and deployment.
17+ years building for the web. WordPress, Shopify, Payload. I've seen what works and what doesn't across platforms.
White-label available. Happy to work invisibly under your brand.

FAQ

How much does a Payload CMS developer cost?

Every job starts with a paid discovery session, then a fixed-price quote. Complexity, the number of collections, custom functionality and frontend requirements all factor into the quote.

Can you add Payload capacity to our agency or in-house team?

Yes. I work as a white-label or subcontract developer, with each piece of work quoted at a fixed price.

Can you work as a white-label Payload CMS partner?

Yes. I work under your brand, and your client doesn't need to know I'm involved.

Do you handle Figma to Payload and Figma to code workflows?

Yes. I convert Figma designs into Payload and Next.js builds with reusable components and clean content models.

Can you migrate a WordPress site to Payload?

Yes: content migration scripts, data transformation, URL mapping and redirects.

Should we use Payload or WordPress?

For content websites, blogs and simple ecommerce, WordPress is still the fastest path to a good result. Payload wins on custom applications: membership portals, directories, review workflows and client dashboards, anywhere WordPress would need a fragile stack of plugins.

Where do Payload projects get hosted?

Vercel, Railway, Docker or your preferred hosting, on PostgreSQL or MongoDB depending on the project. The hosting account sits in your name, not mine.

Who owns the code?

You or your client do. The code is yours, and I don't resell or manage hosting.

Do you work across time zones?

Yes. I'm in Perth, on AWST (UTC+8), and work asynchronously over email, chat and your Git workflow. I don't take phone calls, and you'll hear back within one business day.

Got a Payload job?

Email hello@bradfarleigh.com or use the live chat with the spec, or a short description of the piece you need.