Currently, around 63% of organizations worldwide use a headless CMS for content management – and for a good reason. While traditional Content Management Systems (CMS) combine content creation and presentation, headless CMS empowers you to deliver content seamlessly across multiple platforms and devices. As a result, you’re allowed greater flexibility and scalability compared to traditional content management systems.
CMS is a content management platform that allows users to create, manage, and modify digital content on a website without needing extensive technical knowledge. Traditional content management systems have long been the go-to solution for building and managing websites, however, the appearance of headless CMS has introduced a new level of customization. Although the most popular CMS to date is the traditional WordPress, even it has capacity for headless development.
Have a look at the distinctions between traditional and headless CMS to see how they stack up against each other.
Headless CMS
A headless CMS is a content management for back-end-only, meaning it decouples content management from the presentation layer. If the “head” represents the front end and the “body” represents the content repository, a headless CMS effectively removes the head, leaving just the body. This separation allows the content to be delivered as raw data via API calls.
With a headless architecture, there is no default front end, giving developers the freedom to create multiple “heads” (front ends) and deliver content to any device or platform. This approach also means developers are not restricted to specific frameworks or tools.
A headless CMS offers incomparable flexibility to create and manage content. We can deploy content seamlessly across multiple platforms—web, mobile, IoT, and more—using the same backend, while also choosing the best frontend frameworks and tools for each project. It allows us to work faster, be more agile, and provide a more personalized user experience, all while reducing the long-term maintenance overhead.
Jakub Dakowicz, CTO at Pagepro
Traditional CMS
Traditional CMS is a widely used tool for web creation, offering an all-in-one system where users can easily create, edit, and store content in a back-end database. Its frontend (presentation layer) and back-end (content management layer) are tightly coupled, meaning they are directly linked and work together as a single system.
This integration simplifies development and content management but can limit flexibility, as the presentation is typically bound to the CMS’s built-in features. They typically offer a “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) experience, making them more user-friendly. Moreover, traditional CMS often provide a variety of templates and themes that allow users to customize the appearance of their sites and their functionalities can be expanded through available plugins for easier content experiences.
Monolithic CMS vs Headless CMS – Head to Head Comparison
Pros and Cons of a Headless Content Management System
Headless CMS offers significant advantages and potential drawbacks, depending on the needs of your project.
Benefits of Headless CMS Explained
You have full control over the appearance and behavior of your content, allowing you to work with any frameworks, tools, and technologies that best suit your needs.
Since the content management system is decoupled from the front end, the risk of direct attacks on the CMS is reduced. However, it’s important to implement strong security measures for APIs and front-end components to ensure overall security.
Content can be easily reused and repurposed across various digital channels, such as websites, mobile apps, and IoT devices, thanks to the API-driven approach of a headless CMS.
Although a headless CMS is developer-centric, with the right tools and custom interfaces, it can become user-friendly for content creators, making it easier to maintain and distribute content.
The separation of content from the presentation layer makes decoupled CMS adaptable to future technologies and platforms, allowing for easier updates and modifications to the front end without affecting the underlying content structure.
Disadvantages of Headless CMS
Implementing and managing a headless CMS typically requires skilled developers, particularly for setting up the front end and integrating APIs, which can be a barrier for organizations without in-house technical expertise.
Since a headless CMS does not include a built-in front-end, each front-end must be developed and maintained separately, which can increase the complexity and workload of a project.
Implementing effective SEO strategies in a headless CMS environment may require more careful planning and technical knowledge.
Headless CMS platforms can be less intuitive for users who aren’t developers, compared to traditional CMS. Ensuring that the system is user-friendly and efficient for content editors may require custom interfaces or additional tools, which adds to the complexity and overall implementation effort.
Besides a few cons, we’re a huge believer in the power of headless CMS, and we’ve seen the incredible benefits it brings to our clients. It’s given us the flexibility to create more dynamic, scalable, and future-proof solutions. In fact, we believe in it so much that we rebuilt our own website using a headless approach. Now we can innovate faster, stay ahead of industry trends, and deliver even better results.
Jakub Dakowicz, CTO at Pagepro
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Best Headless CMS Platforms
When considering a decoupled CMS for your website, it’s important to choose a platform that aligns with your specific needs and technical requirements.
Have a look at some of the best headless CMS platforms available:
Sanity
Sanity is a flexible platform for content management, which prioritizes real-time collaboration and structured content. Its adaptable interface, Sanity Studio, empowers teams to tailor the CMS to their specific needs. By providing strong APIs and integration options, Sanity makes content delivery across various digital channels much easier.
Strapi
As an open-source system, Strapi fosters a strong community and offers extensive customization possibilities. Strapi’s modular and API-focused architecture allows it to be integrated with any type of project.
Storyblok
Storyblok combines the efficiency of visual editing with the power of headless management system. Its component-based approach and flexible API structure simplify content management for both technical and non-technical users. Storyblok excels at creating engaging digital experiences.
Webflow
Although it’s primarily a design tool, Webflow still functions very well as a CMS. Its visual interface and flexible content management features make it a viable option for projects requiring a balance between design and content control. Webflow’s API integration allows for headless-like functionalities.
Contentful
Contentful is designed to manage large volumes of content across multiple channels. Its focus on content structure and delivery makes it suitable for complex projects demanding high performance. With a wide array of API options, Contentful enables integration with various platforms.
Who Uses a Headless CMS
Headless content management solutions are being adopted across various industries. They are trusted due to their flexibility and ability to deliver content seamlessly across multiple channels. Media powerhouses and e-commerce giants are using the power of headless Content Management Sytems to create dynamic and personalized digital experiences.
E-commerce Websites
Source: Nike
E-commerce platforms require high flexibility and the ability to deliver personalized experiences across multiple channels (web, mobile, in-store, etc.). A headless CMS allows these brands to manage content centrally while delivering tailored experiences on various front ends.
For instance, Nike deployed headless CMS as part of its digital strategy to achieve seamless omnichannel experiences and manage content.
Media and Publishing Sites
Source: New York Times
Media and publishing companies need to distribute large amounts of content quickly and consistently across different platforms. Headless CMS provides the agility required to manage content from a single source and deliver it to multiple channels. The New York Times uses headless CMS to manage and deliver news content effectively to its global audience.
Corporate Websites and Enterprise Portals
Source: Siemens
Large corporations often have complex requirements for their websites, including the need to support multiple languages and regions. A headless CMS allows these companies to maintain a consistent brand experience while letting local teams to customize content.
Siemens utilizes a decoupled CMS to manage its global web presence. It ensures that content is both locally relevant and globally consistent.
RELATED CASE STUDY
Front-end Development for Web App MVP with Sanity for the Insurance Company
If you’re looking for a solution that won’t hinder your vision, a headless CMS might be the perfect choice. Decoupling content management from presentation empowers you to build highly customized websites and applications across any platform.
While traditional CMS platforms offer pre-built templates and features, a headless Content Management System gives you granular control. This allows you to optimize performance and integrate seamlessly with modern technologies like React, Vue, or Angular.
However, his flexibility comes at the cost of increased technical complexity. If you prioritize speed and simplicity, a traditional Content Management System might be more suitable, especially for small-scale projects. Ultimately, the final decision depends on your project’s specific needs, technical resources, and desired level of customization.
