The Future is Headless
Recently we blogged about PWAs or (progressive Web Apps). Perhaps the biggest fanfare over PWAs is the increased performance they offer users with their ability to preload content on the user’s device to speed up and optimize online navigation. This means that if the internet is slow or if a site is cumbersome with a PWA, it will load far quicker and give the immediacy that the mobile user is seeking. Today, we’re covering off another technology that is making content creation and updating easier than ever before.
It’s been well-documented that content is king; content can drive traffic and even make sales. Keeping this in mind, companies are investing in content creation to grow their audiences, establish expertise, and drive conversions. Content maintenance, however, can get slightly tricky when taking into consideration all the different media channels on which content is shared. This is where the advent of headless CMS is coming to the rescue.
What is Headless CMS?
Headless CMS is a back-end-only content management system built as a content repository that makes content accessible and stores it within the CMS (content management system) by an API (application programming interface).
This type of CMS is called headless because the idea is that developers have chopped the head or front end of the website off from the body of the site, i.e. the back end. Previously the front and back end were inseparable in CMS, and the back end could severely limit the front. Headless CMS offers exciting new options and possibilities for both engineers and for users.
Why Use Headless CMS?
One of the most important advantages of using a headless CMS is that once content is made public through to an API (application programming interface), the information can then be shared over multiple platforms such as web, mobile, chat, etc. The huge plus to headless CMS is that with one system, a business or client can reach multiple platforms such as web, mobile apps, etc. This means content is distributed through different channels i.e. mobile app, website, etc) without the need to create the content in 2 different systems. Both the app and the website have to be developed as separate entities, but once completed, both are managed through the same CMS system. This is called an omnichannel approach. A second advantage is improved security with headless CMS because there’s no database to secure on each individual channel. Third, the way the back and front end are completely separated allows for quicker upgrades or customization to a website with less downtime. It also provides greater flexibility for developers to customize the front end as much as they’d like without having to worry if the back end will support it.
Another advantage to headless CMS comes into play with JAM stacks, which we’ll touch on just briefly here. JAM stacks stand for Javascript, APIs, and Markup. This is a new type of web development architecture that is not webserver-dependent.
According to Magnolia-CMS, “Developers like the DIY-nature of assembling their own Jamstack that fits their needs best.” In the case of JAM stacks headless CMS provides everything you need to manage, store and deliver content over an API and it also provides developers freedom for personalization in how they build and subsequently deliver a site or app.
Recently, Agility CMS hosted a webinar about JAMstack, detailing how brands can leverage JAMstack with Agility CMS and Gatsby (as well as other frameworks) to develop and launch super-fast sites.
In the End
With the advent of headless CMS, developers are keeping pace with users’ demands for better, faster content management. Content is king and its important to display it across a brands’ various channels, website, app, etc. It is also a response to the known importance of customization and personalization online to drive conversions and keep users satisfied. Headless CMS not only streamlines technology but also aims to help users share content more easily.
