Should Headless Be a Part of Your Digital Strategy?

The term "headless" has been making waves the last few years, specifically in the context of content management systems (CMS). "Headless" refers to a specific kind of CMS architecture that’s growing in popularity, particularly among companies looking for greater flexibility and scalability in their digital strategies. Beyond the hype and hoopla, there are solid business benefits to headless that have rightfully pushed the technology to its current level of popularity. So, is headless right for your organization? As is usually the case in technology decisions, the answer is… it depends.  

What is Headless? 

Traditionally, a CMS has both a front end (the "head") where content is displayed to users, and a back end where content is created and managed. Think of it as a fully built car where the engine (back end) and the body (front end) are bolted together tightly. You can customize it to some extent, but if you want to swap out the engine for a more powerful one or the body for something flashier, you’re in for a significant overhaul. 

 A headless CMS is more like having just the engine, with the freedom to attach whatever body you want. In other words, a headless CMS focuses solely on content creation and management, delivering that content via APIs to any front end or "head" you choose. This decoupled approach gives you the freedom to present content across multiple channels (websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, etc.) without being tied to a specific front-end framework.

Creating a page in a traditional CMS typically includes the option of laying out the entire web page as one piece of content - main text body, header, footer, navigation elements, supporting content, etc.  In a headless CMS, content doesn't necessarily need to be created with specific regard to a page layout, position, or overall style, giving you ultimate flexibility to display the content where and how you need it. Furthermore, when it's time to update your presentation design, you only need to focus on the front-end components while the content within the CMS is unaffected. 

Traditional CMS vs. Headless CMS 

To understand the headless concept better, let's break down how it differs from a traditional CMS. 

Traditional CMS: 

• Tightly Coupled: In a traditional CMS like WordPress or Drupal, the front end and back end are integrated. The system handles everything from content management to how it’s displayed on the website. 

• User-Friendly: Traditional CMS platforms are generally easier to use for non-technical users. You can manage content, themes, and plugins all within one interface. 

• Limited Flexibility: Because the front end and back end are closely connected, you're often limited by what the CMS's codebase expects in terms of front-end presentation. While there are templates and theme systems available to give content authors more design freedom, the code architecture has to match what the CMS expects, where headless allows for complete freedom to choose whatever front-end system you want (or build yourself). 

Headless CMS: 

• Decoupled: In a headless CMS, the back end (where content is created and stored) is entirely separate from the front end. Content is delivered via APIs to any front end of your choosing. 

• Highly Flexible: You can use any front-end technology you want—React, Angular, Vue.js, or even custom-built frameworks to create unique and innovative user experiences. 

• Multi-Channel Publishing: With a headless CMS, you can more easily deliver content to various platforms, not just websites. Whether it's a mobile app, digital signage, or even a smart fridge, your content is ready to go wherever it's needed. 

In terms of market share, as of 2023, 35% of businesses who reported usage of a CMS were using a headless solution compared to 50% using a traditional CMS (the remainder being a custom CMS or website builder solution). The headless market is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years. 

The Pros of Going Headless 

1. Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of a headless CMS is the flexibility it offers. Since you're not tied to a specific front end like in traditional CMS, you can build your website or app using the latest and greatest technologies. There are multiple front-end frameworks commercially available that give you the freedom to display your content however you need it.  

2. Future-Proofing

Technology moves fast, and what’s cutting edge today might be obsolete tomorrow. By going headless, you’re better positioned to adapt to new trends and technologies. Since your content is managed separately from the presentation layer, you can change or update the front end without needing to rework the entire CMS. This makes your digital strategy more resilient to future changes. 

3. Multi-Channel Content Delivery

A headless CMS allows you to publish content across multiple platforms simultaneously, from websites to mobile apps, and even to emerging platforms like IoT devices and virtual reality. This ability to repurpose content across various channels is crucial for maintaining a consistent brand presence and engaging with your audience wherever they are. 

4. Improved Performance

A headless CMS can lead to better performance because it allows you to optimize the front end for speed and efficiency. Since the front end is separate, you can use lightweight frameworks or static site generators that deliver content faster than traditional CMS setups. This can lead to faster load times, better SEO, and a smoother user experience overall. 

The Cons of Going Headless 

1. Complexity

Headless systems can be more complex to set up and manage, especially if you’re used to traditional, all-in-one CMS platforms. You’ll need developers who are comfortable working with APIs and front-end technologies. Additionally, managing multiple systems (like a headless CMS, a front-end framework, and potentially more) can increase the overall complexity of your digital operations. 

2. Higher Initial Costs

Going headless sometimes requires a higher upfront investment, particularly in development resources, if you have very specific custom requirements. You’ll need to build a custom front end, which can be time-consuming and expensive. While a headless CMS can save money in the long run by being more scalable and flexible, the initial setup costs can be a barrier for some businesses. 

3. Less User-Friendly

For non-technical users, a headless CMS can be less intuitive than traditional systems. While traditional CMS platforms offer a single interface for WYSIWYG content creation, design, page preview, and management, a headless CMS separates these tasks, potentially requiring different tools or interfaces for different aspects of content management. 

4. Ongoing Maintenance

With a headless CMS, there is the added responsibility of maintaining a separate front-end system, which requires specific expertise and may increase the workload of your development team. While this may also be present in advanced implementations of traditional CMS, it is a certainty with headless. 

Upgrading the CMS: A Crucial Difference 

Understanding the pros and cons of headless vs. traditional CMS could be all the information you need to make a decision, especially when viewed through the lens of a decoupled front-end infrastructure if that’s what’s most important to you. However, the question of platform upgrade strategy deserves its own consideration

Most headless CMS platforms are Software as a Service (SaaS). The APIs are hosted in a cloud-based back end and managed entirely by the software vendor. As version updates, bug fixes, and security patches are released, they are automatically applied to each instance. Traditional CMS (non-SaaS) does not have this service automatically included and must be handled separately by your development team or partner. In many cases, making the jump from an older deprecated CMS version, such as Umbraco 7, to the most recent version can be a large and technically challenging project that requires a complete redevelopment of your site, including back-end and front-end components.   

With a SaaS-based headless environment, upgrades are handled seamlessly by the software company without causing disruption to your site(s). Since the front end is decoupled from the back end by definition, there is no impact or maintenance required to continue to serve your content to your audience. Any organization that is plagued with being forced to remain on an outdated CMS version due to financial and/or technical restraints should recognize the immediate and ongoing benefit to a headless SaaS environment. This is also where total cost of ownership becomes a real factor – while upfront costs are sometimes a hurdle to setting up a headless environment, the freedom to not have to worry about major upgrade projects in the future pays real dividends. 

So, Should Headless Be Part of Your Digital Strategy? 

The answer depends on your business’s needs and resources. If you require maximum flexibility, want to future-proof your digital presence, and need to deliver content across multiple platforms, then a headless CMS could be a game-changer for you. It’s particularly well-suited for companies that need to innovate quickly (think Agile), expect frequent design updates, and aren’t afraid of a little complexity in exchange for long-term benefits.   

 However, if you’re a smaller business or your digital needs are relatively straightforward, the complexity and initial costs of a headless CMS might outweigh the benefits. Additionally, if you want to enable more page-design flexibility for non-technical content authors, then traditional CMS may be better.  

And remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to choose a strategy that aligns with your business objectives and sets you up for success, whether that’s with a headless CMS or sticking with a more traditional approach. Happy strategizing!