WordPress as a backend,
not just a website -
REST, GraphQL, or fully headless.
I build custom REST endpoints, wire up WPGraphQL, and connect WordPress to Next.js, Astro, and mobile apps - using the CMS your editors already know, without shipping WordPress's front end.
"His knowledge and experience in crafting websites is truly commendable. He demonstrates a strong command of the platform."
- Ahmed Abd El Aziz, UI/UX Designer, Egypt
Which API approach fits your project
I help you pick the right one for your project instead of defaulting to the most complex option.
WordPress's real strength was never the theme layer
Editors know the WordPress admin. The front end doesn't have to be WordPress's front end.
Editors keep the CMS they already know
Content teams stay in the familiar WordPress admin and block editor. The front end - React, Next.js, Astro, mobile - is decoupled and can move at its own pace.
Fetch exactly the data you need
WPGraphQL lets a front end request precisely the fields it needs in one round trip, instead of over-fetching a full REST payload or under-fetching and making N+1 requests.
Front-end performance decoupled from WordPress
A statically-generated or edge-rendered front end can hit near-perfect Core Web Vitals regardless of what plugins are installed in wp-admin.
Why teams come to me for API work specifically
The default REST API exposes too much
Out of the box, WordPress's REST API can leak more than you want (author info, revision data, internal fields). I build scoped custom endpoints and controllers that expose exactly what's needed.
A React/Next.js app talking directly to admin-ajax
Fragile, undocumented, and usually unauthenticated properly. I replace it with a real REST controller or WPGraphQL schema with proper auth.
No clear authentication strategy
Application Passwords, JWT, or OAuth - each fits different use cases (server-to-server vs. a mobile app vs. a public read-only front end). I pick and implement the right one for your architecture.
WordPress API & headless services
From a single custom endpoint to a fully decoupled front end.
Custom REST API Endpoints
Scoped, authenticated REST controllers that expose exactly the data your app needs - nothing more.
WPGraphQL Setup
Schema configuration, ACF field exposure, and custom resolvers for React/Next.js/Astro front ends.
Headless Front-End Integration
WordPress as pure CMS behind a Next.js, Astro, or React front end - including preview mode and revalidation.
Mobile App Backends
A WordPress instance serving as the content/data backend for an iOS or Android app via REST or GraphQL.
Third-Party Integrations
Connecting WordPress to CRMs, payment providers, or internal tools via custom endpoints and webhooks.
API Caching Strategy
Object caching, edge caching, and revalidation patterns so a headless front end stays fast under real traffic.
Not sure which issue is hurting your website?
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Me vs your other options
for WordPress API & headless work.
| What you care about |
Rajan Gupta
β
4.9 Β· 150+ projects | Generic backend dev | Front-end-only dev |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knows WordPress internals deeply | β | β | β |
| Comfortable in React/Next.js too | β | ~ | β |
| Scoped, secure custom endpoints | β | ~ | β |
| WPGraphQL + ACF field exposure | β | β | β |
| Picks REST vs GraphQL on merit | β | ~ | β |
| Handles auth strategy properly | β | ~ | ~ |
| Fixed price, no hourly surprises | β | β | ~ |
"Highly responsive and easy to work with. Consistently delivered high-quality work within the agreed timelines - professional, proactive communication."
Nour Challita
Product Owner Β· Lebanon
Ready to start?
Let's figure out the right API architecture for your project.
Free 15-min call. Tell me what front end you're building and I'll recommend REST, GraphQL, or neither.
Real feedback from people Iβve worked with
Honest reviews from founders, agencies, and teams who trusted me with their WordPress development and performance projects.
βI run a web design agency in the UK. We've been operating for the last 9 years using lots of different contract developers. During this time Rajan has by far been the best developer we have ever worked with. His knowledge of websites and along with his friendly, diligent nature makes him valuable part of our team. I hope to continue to work with Rajan for as long as he is able.β
Andrew Newby
Founder, Edge Studio (Sheffield, UK)
βRajan has worked on several website projects for our brands, all of which have been completed to a high standard. His attention to detail and experience was evident in the quality of websites developed. We would highly recommend Rajan for all website projects including websites built for international reach. He is also very obliging and willing to go above and beyond to ensure he delivers the best!β
Mairead Hanlon
Marketing Manager (Ireland)
βI had the pleasure of working with Rajan on a WordPress development project, and I highly recommend him. Rajan is a very professional and skilled WordPress developer. Throughout our collaboration, He proved to be highly responsive and easy to work with. He consistently delivered high-quality work within the agreed-upon timelines. I greatly appreciated Rajan's professionalism, strong work ethic, and proactive communication. It was a positive experience working with him, and I look forward to collaborating again in the future. I confidently recommend Rajan for any WordPress development projects.β
Nour Challita
Product Owner (Lebanon)
βRajan was a pleasure to work with. He had work on several wordpress sites for us, with excellent results. He understood the requirements well, and was efficient at delivering. I found him interested in the latest tools and willing to learn and go outside his comfort zone. I would love to work with him again if the opportunity arisesβ
Paul Connolly
Product Manager (Ireland)
βI am writing to express my high regard for Rajan's exceptional skills in website development. His knowledge and experience in crafting websites on Editority are truly commendable. Rajan demonstrates a strong command of the platform, making him an excellent choice for anyone seeking to have their website built on Editority. I highly recommend Rajan for his expertise and dedication to delivering outstanding results.β
Ahmed Abd El Aziz
UI/UX Designer (Egypt)
βRajan, is not only a web developer but a guide for your complete website project. He has good experience in different industries and always comes up with new ideas. i have qorked on multiple projects with Rajan, he is go to person for perfect website project.β
Pratiksha Raj Tripathi
Founder Read Colors Media (India)
βRajan is very Ethical and genuine person to work with. He has good knowledge about his job and has always supported us as and when required. Its been years of association with rajan and never did we face any issues working with him.We wish him good luck in his future endeavors.β
Tushar Kaushik
Founder/Director at Diffusion Marketing Solutions (India)
βI had the pleasure of working with Rajan for little over 1.5 years. He is extremely dedicated and hardworking and not to mention his wordpress and Web development skills are up to the mark. He is a fast learner and always ready to take on any challenge and delivers projects within the set timelines. I would highly recommend Rajan.β
Zaiba R
Digital Project Manager (United Arab Emirates)
βI have had a pleasure of knowing Rajan Gupta, He is perfectly organized, insightful, and dedicated web developer. His approachability and pleasant behaviors boosts the morale. I wish him all the best and good luckβ
Brana Balan
Senior Software Engineer at ASB Bank (Auckland, New Zealand)
Want similar results for your business?
Let's Talk βBuilt for teams that need WordPress data, not WordPress rendering
Headless front end with Next.js or Astro
WordPress stays the editorial backend; the public site is statically generated or edge-rendered for near-perfect Core Web Vitals.
Mobile app backend
A WordPress instance serving content, users, and commerce data to an iOS/Android app through authenticated REST or GraphQL.
Custom integrations with external systems
Syncing WordPress content or orders with a CRM, ERP, or internal dashboard through purpose-built endpoints and webhooks.
Tell me about your API or headless project.
Tell me what front end (or app) needs to talk to WordPress - I'll reply within one business day with a straight answer.
India-based Β· Remote worldwide
IST (UTC+5:30)
WhatsApp for fast replies
+91 87911 94373
hello@rajangupta.com
Free discovery call
cal.com/rajangupta/discovery
Start your project - free quote within 24 hrs
Tell me REST, GraphQL, or 'not sure yet' - I'll help you decide.
No spam Β· NDA available Β· Replies within 4 hrs weekdays
Questions about WordPress API & headless work
REST is simpler, well-documented, and cacheable out of the box - a good default for straightforward data needs. WPGraphQL shines when a front end needs precise, nested data in a single request (e.g. a post with its ACF fields, featured image, and related posts together) - common in Next.js and Astro builds. I recommend based on your actual front-end architecture, not by default.
Yes - selectively, via the ACF-to-REST-API integration for REST or WPGraphQL for ACF for GraphQL. I expose only the fields your front end actually consumes rather than dumping the entire field group into every response.
No - and I'll tell you if it isn't. Headless adds real complexity (two codebases, preview mode, revalidation, hosting for both) that only pays off when you need front-end flexibility a WordPress theme genuinely can't give you. For many sites, a well-built Sage 10 theme gets you 90+ PageSpeed without the added architecture.
Depends on the use case: Application Passwords or JWT for server-to-server and mobile-app scenarios, OAuth for third-party integrations, and properly scoped public read-only endpoints for content a headless front end just needs to display.
Yes - I've built this exact setup, including one covered on the blog (headless WordPress with Astro). WordPress stays the editorial CMS your team already knows; the public site is statically generated or edge-rendered from its data.
Depends on the rendering strategy - static generation with on-demand revalidation, edge caching in front of the API, or WordPress object caching for high-traffic endpoints. I set this up as part of the build, not as an afterthought once things get slow.
More questions? Just ask.
π¬ Ask on WhatsApp βRelated reading & expertise
Let's connect WordPress to whatever you're actually building.
India-based. Senior quality. Fixed price. Reply within 24 hrs.