A headless content management system, or headless CMS, is a back end-only web content management system that acts primarily as a content repository. A headless CMS makes content accessible via an API for display on any device, without a built-in front end or presentation layer. [1]

Whereas a traditional CMS typically combines a website's content and presentation layers, a headless CMS comprises the content component and focuses on the administrative interface for content creators, the facilitation of content workflows and collaboration, and the organization of content into taxonomies.[2]

One advantage of this decoupled approach is that content can be sent via APIs to multiple display types, like mobile and Internet of things (IoT) devices, alongside a website.[1] A disadvantage, however, is that maintaining two separate systems for a single site can require more resources.[3]

Cloud-first headless CMSes are those that were also built with a multi-tenant cloud model at their core and whose vendors promote software as a service (SaaS). These vendors promise high availability, scalability, and full management of security, upgrades, and hotfixes on behalf of clients.[4][5] Headless commerce uses the same setup to separate back-end product management and navigation from the front end of a website or other display types (e.g., IoT). This is similar to how headless CMSes focus on creating content in the back end to be displayed on front ends via APIs.[6]

Headless CMS is similar to but distinct from the use of widgets or plugins on a site, like adding an online ordering and delivery plugin to a restaurant website.[7]

Coupled CMS vs. headless CMS

Most monolithic content management systems are 'coupled', meaning that the content management application (CMA) and the content delivery application (CDA) come together in a single application. This makes back-end user tools, content editing and taxonomy, website design, and templates inseparable.[8]

Decoupled CMS

A decoupled CMS and a headless CMS have a lot in common as a headless CMS is a type of decoupled architecture.[9]

The decoupled architecture allows for easier scalability and provides better security than coupled architecture, but it does not provide the same support for omnichannel delivery. There are multiple environments to manage, hiking up infrastructure and maintenance costs.[10][11]

Criticisms and disadvantages

Headless CMS is a content management system (CMS) without a pre-built front-end presentation layer or templating system; instead, it provides a content repository and an API for managing the content. While this allows for greater flexibility and customizability, it can also present challenges or drawbacks for teams and organizations.[12] The main downside is that it may require more effort to set up and configure and a certain level of web development knowledge on both the front and back end.

  • They require heavier technical proficiency than their monolithic counterparts.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 Garcia, Veronica; Writer, Staff (2021-02-15). "Should your content management system go headless?". The American Genius. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  2. ↑ Davis, Kim (2021-04-13). "The rise of headless and hybrid CMS: Tuesday's daily brief". MarTech Today. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  3. ↑ Lamoureux, Chris (2019-07-04). "What Is Headless CMS? Pros & Cons of Decoupling Your CMS - Veriday Blog". Veriday. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  4. ↑ Petr Palas. "Why 2017 Is the Year of Cloud-First Headless CMS". CMSWire. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  5. ↑ Stephen Griffin (7 February 2017). "Cloud-First Headless CMS: What It Is and Why You Should Use It". Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  6. ↑ Levitz, Michael (2021-02-10). "3 Ways Covid Changed E-Commerce Forever: Your online store is now your flagship. Here's how to make it pop". Inc.
  7. ↑ Mortazavi, Alireza (2020-09-14). "Headless CMS vs WordPress vs Custom Solution [Tech Debates]". Medium. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  8. ↑ Mixon, Erica (2020-10-28). "Headless CMS powers personalized, omnichannel e-commerce". TechTarget. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  9. ↑ Heusser, Matt. "An overview of headless architecture design". SearchAppArchitecture. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  10. ↑ Deane Barker (8 February 2017). "The State of the Headless CMS Market". Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  11. ↑ Brent Heslop. "A History of Content Management Systems and the Rise of the Headless CMS". Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  12. ↑ "9 Challenges of Scaling a Headless CMS". CMSWire.com. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  13. ↑ Kaya, Ismail. "Do You Need a Headless CMS? Maybe, Maybe Not". CMSWire.com. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
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