Hygraph Development

Content infrastructure built with Hygraph

We implement Hygraph as a production GraphQL content platform. Federated content systems, multi-project architectures, and scalable API-first delivery for teams building modern digital experiences.

GraphQL
Native API Architecture
Federated
Content Delivery
Multi-Stage
Publishing Workflows
Global
CDN Distribution

Who we build Hygraph systems for

Teams that need GraphQL-native content delivery at scale.

GraphQL-First Teams

Already using GraphQL on the frontend and want a CMS that speaks GraphQL natively.

Multi-Project Publishers

Run multiple apps or sites that share content through federated Hygraph projects.

Enterprise Teams

Need advanced workflows, role-based permissions, and content staging environments.

Why teams choose Hygraph

Hygraph (formerly GraphCMS) is built entirely on GraphQL. It's designed for federated content delivery across multiple frontends and channels.

GraphQL-native architecture

Built on GraphQL from the ground up. Query exactly what you need with no REST overhead.

Content federation

Connect multiple Hygraph projects or external GraphQL APIs into one unified content graph.

Multi-stage workflows

Define custom content stages (draft, review, published) with role-based publishing control.

Global CDN with purging

Content delivered via Fastly CDN with automatic cache invalidation on publish.

What to know about Hygraph

Hygraph excels at GraphQL content delivery. Here's what to expect.

What works well

  • GraphQL-first teams with complex content queries
  • Federated content across multiple frontends
  • Teams needing custom publishing workflows
  • High-traffic sites with CDN requirements

What to consider

  • GraphQL learning curve if your team is REST-only
  • Higher pricing than Strapi or Directus for similar scale
  • Editor UI less intuitive than Prismic or Contentful
  • Smaller community and plugin ecosystem

How we implement Hygraph

We build Hygraph systems as production infrastructure, not content dumps.

Schema design

Define GraphQL content types with proper relationships, enums, and validation rules.

Content federation

Connect multiple Hygraph projects or external GraphQL sources into unified content graph.

Query optimization

Write efficient GraphQL queries with proper field selection and pagination.

Workflow stages

Configure custom publishing stages with role-based access control.

Webhook integration

Set up webhooks for cache invalidation, build triggers, and content sync.

Team permissions

Define granular permissions per content type, locale, and stage.

Architecture decisions we make

How we structure Hygraph implementations for scale and maintainability.

Single vs federated projects

Start with one Hygraph project unless you have clear multi-project needs. Federation adds complexity but enables content reuse across properties.

Single project when:
  • • One site or app
  • • Simpler to reason about
  • • Easier permissions
Federated when:
  • • Multiple frontends share content
  • • Different teams own different content
  • • Connecting external GraphQL APIs

Content stage strategy

Define stages that match your editorial workflow. Common pattern: Draft → Review → Published, with separate staging and production environments.

Minimal stages:
  • • Draft + Published only
  • • Small teams, fast publishing
  • • Less workflow overhead
Multi-stage:
  • • Draft → Review → Approved → Published
  • • Compliance or legal requirements
  • • Multiple approval layers

CDN and caching strategy

Hygraph includes Fastly CDN by default. We configure cache purging via webhooks so content updates propagate instantly to frontends.

What we've built with Hygraph

Real implementations we've delivered.

Multi-brand content platform

Federated Hygraph setup powering 8 brand sites with shared product catalog and localized content.

Enterprise • Federation • GraphQL

SaaS marketing hub

Marketing site with blog, case studies, and docs powered by Hygraph with custom workflow stages.

B2B SaaS • Multi-stage • Next.js

API-first content delivery

Hygraph as content backend for mobile apps, web, and IoT devices with unified GraphQL API.

Multi-channel • Mobile • IoT

Migrating to Hygraph

We handle migrations from Contentful, WordPress, or other CMSs. Schema design, data migration, and testing included.

  • Audit existing content structure
  • Design GraphQL schema and relationships
  • Migrate content with validation
  • Test and train your team

Migration timeline

1
Week 1-2: Content audit
Map existing content to Hygraph schema
2
Week 3-4: Setup & migration
Build schema, migrate content
3
Week 5-6: Testing & training
QA, editor training, go-live

Hygraph projects delivered

8+
Hygraph projects launched
15+
Federated content sources
6-8 weeks
Avg. implementation time

Common questions

Is Hygraph better than Contentful?

Not necessarily. Hygraph is GraphQL-native and better for teams already using GraphQL. Contentful has more mature tooling and a larger ecosystem. Choose based on your stack and team expertise.

Can Hygraph handle e-commerce?

Hygraph works for e-commerce content (product descriptions, marketing), but not for transactional data. Use Shopify or Commerce Layer for cart and checkout.

How does Hygraph pricing work?

Hygraph charges based on records, API operations, and users. Free tier is good for small projects. Enterprise plans include SLAs and priority support.

Can we self-host Hygraph?

No, Hygraph is SaaS only. If you need self-hosting with GraphQL, consider Directus or Strapi with GraphQL plugin.

Ready to build with Hygraph?

We'll design a GraphQL-native content system that matches your business requirements. No generic templates.