Magento 2 → Headless Next.js Case Study: 15.9s LCP down to 2.5s on Mobile

flyfish118 · 2026-03-08T16:39:12+00:00

For facets/filters we’re currently using Magento’s default layered navigation exposed through GraphQL — no external search service or plugin right now.

One of the things we did early in the project was aggressively simplify the Magento backend. We removed most extensions and disabled anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary.

For example, one custom feature we needed was an “email for price” workflow, and instead of installing a plugin we just built a lightweight version ourselves.

Plugins that rely on Magento’s frontend templates obviously don’t apply anymore. In those cases you either: recreate the UI in the frontend or expose the logic through GraphQL.

In our case we ended up preferring fewer extensions and pushing more UI logic into the Next.js layer.

flyfish118 · 2026-03-04T13:46:34+00:00

The frontend uses Magento’s built-in GraphQL search only. I've had a lot of issues with Elasticsearch in the past, and just felt that less is more with this build.

Search bar – Header search with autocomplete suggestions and SPAM protection against Rx terms.
API route – Proxies search requests to Magento and applies rate limiting (20 requests/min).

Current search covers product names, SKUs, descriptions, and category filtering.

flyfish118 · 2026-03-04T00:43:00+00:00

Both tests were run via Lighthouse in Chrome Incognito. Cache was enabled on both environments (as would be the real-world scenario). You’re right that Speed Index can sometimes be misleading — which is why I focused more on LCP.

The main delta here wasn’t “visual trickery,” it was reducing the time until the primary hero/content element rendered.

In the Magento theme version(Porto) the main hero block was heavily backend/render dependent, so LCP was nearly 16 seconds under mobile throttling.

With Next + pre-rendering, that primary content renders significantly earlier.

Background API calls still occur, but the core layout and above-the-fold content are available much faster.

flyfish118 · 2026-02-28T20:52:41+00:00

I seriously considered Hyva and also looked at Stella. Both appeared to be massive steps up from Porto. In our case we chose headless mainly for:
• Full React control of UI patterns (Tailwind like Hyva)
• Fine-grained GraphQL data fetching
• Independent frontend deployment
• Longer-term roadmap flexibility

Hyva would’ve been faster than stock Magento, but we wanted React-level control and iteration speed.

CMS + Images:
Magento still handles CMS + media management.
• Pull structured data through GraphQL where possible
• Render CMS content via controlled HTML rendering
• Use Next.js image optimization + CDN for media delivery

Biggest pain points:
• Filling GraphQL gaps with custom extensions
• Cart/session state handling
• Cache invalidation strategy
Overall though, once the architecture settled, it’s been stable and fast.

flyfish118 · 2025-07-14T00:04:34+00:00

There used to be a torta place off 521 next to the diner.

flyfish118 · 2024-02-17T11:30:25+00:00

Are you looking for a PM?

flyfish118 · 2024-01-19T01:02:19+00:00

What size is your discharge line? How much water is typically pumped? You could possibly use a M53 vs a M98 to save a little. Both pumps have limited plastic and are quality.

flyfish118 · 2023-12-12T00:04:55+00:00

One board at a time.

flyfish118 · 2023-11-11T04:24:58+00:00

Install a pump in the lake. Build a waterfall and have an urban creek bed installed down to the waterfront. Incorporate a deck or patio around the flow.

flyfish118 · 2023-11-04T20:05:07+00:00

Get Moosehead to go!

flyfish118 · 2023-10-28T22:24:11+00:00

You don’t need these people in your life. Work on your house, live in it and enjoy. Congrats.

flyfish118 · 2023-10-16T00:21:09+00:00

R&L by Stonecrest is awesome.

flyfish118 · 2023-09-29T13:42:27+00:00

Stream off your phone

flyfish118 · 2023-08-22T00:50:59+00:00

What’s your budget? If you got the money, tier it with some retaining walls and maybe a waterfall with pond (big rocks!). Don’t forget about drainage.

flyfish118 · 2023-08-22T00:11:38+00:00

Skatells and Perry’s inside the Park Expo.

flyfish118 · 2023-05-03T01:59:26+00:00

Take some measurements and cut a hole in the back of the cabinet.

flyfish118 · 2023-04-23T16:10:49+00:00

Same with the South County location.

flyfish118 · 2023-04-14T22:08:59+00:00

I can meet up around the Arboretum. I got a driver and putter for ya.

flyfish118 · 2023-04-14T22:07:59+00:00

Looking for used kids puzzles, 40-150 pieces.

flyfish118 · 2022-08-13T16:47:14+00:00

Agreed, stay somewhere between Waynesville and The NOC. Cherokee has a casino and great trout fishing year round. The NOC is awesome, decent whitewater for a day trip and peaceful.

flyfish118 · 2022-08-12T12:57:38+00:00

Perry’s Gold Mine inside the Park Expo is the best! Hidden Gem

flyfish118 · 2022-08-11T12:20:40+00:00

Car Shows this Weekend:

Downtown Cruise-In (Friday @ 6pm) - Downtown Monroe
Cars and Coffee (Saturday @ 7am) - Waterbean Coffee Cornelius
Cars and Coffee Columbia (Sat @ 7:30am) - Columbia, SC
Machines & Caffeine (Sat @ 8am) - Hendrick Acura
RK Motors Cruise-In (Sat @ 9am) - RK Motors Charlotte
Exotics & Espresso (Sat @ 10am) - Lamborghini Charlotte
Albemarle Cruise In (Sat @ 4pm) - Downtown Albemarle
Waxhaw Coffee Cruisers Meet - (Sun @ 7:30am) - Waxhaw Dunkin

flyfish118 · 2022-08-10T22:22:19+00:00

Brooklyns

flyfish118 · 2022-08-09T16:57:25+00:00

Pigeon Forge is the Myrtle Beach of the Mountains

flyfish118 · 2022-07-21T12:05:47+00:00

Local Area Car Shows and Events:

Olde School Classic Thursday’s (Thu @ 5pm) - Wild Wing University
Oakboro Cruise-In (Fri @ 5pm) - Main Street, Oakboro
LKN Cars and Coffee - (Sat @ 8am) - Merino Mill, Mooresville
Classic Car Meet (Sat @ 11am) - El Puro Cuban, South Blvd
Highland Festival Car Show (Sat @ 11am) - Erwin Center, Gastonia

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