Just having a visually appealing storefront is no longer sufficient given the growth of the e-commerce sector. I’ll discuss headless e-commerce today; it’s an intriguing concept that came out of the headless revolution.
In this article, I will explain how the concept of headless has transformed e-commerce frameworks and, most significantly, how to avoid confusing headless e-commerce with content management systems (CMS).
Headless Commerce and Headless CMS
A “headless” application infrastructure lacks a front end. The only components of a headless content management system (CMS) are the API and the backend system, which is connected to a database.
The data is sent to an application programming interface (API) or web service that can push the data to any device that can receive it. You can see that the lack of a specific front end creates new opportunities for integrating additional business processes. From a technical perspective, headless CMS establishes no connections between the code and the application, instead relying on API requests to render content on the website.
The concept is not just applicable to CMS. The division of an eCommerce application’s front and back end is referred to as “headless commerce” in a related context. Brands have the opportunity to create user experiences that go well beyond the confines of conventional e-commerce sites because of this architecture. Most importantly, it enables brands to improve the consumer experience.
How Do They Differ From One Another?
The short answer is that there isn’t much distinction between the two.
Let me elaborate:
As I have explained, the concept of “headless” distinguishes the front end from the back end. In this setup, information stored in a central location (a database) can be accessed and used by multiple front-end applications. An excellent illustration of headless e-commerce is the situation in which information like product descriptions and reviews are stored on the backend and displayed on a unique front via a different app.
How is that beneficial?
They have sped up the experience, just the assessment to render the front end (mobile, web, smartwatch, etc.) is downloaded from the distributed asset storage and sent to the client via an application programming interface (API).
If you using Headless Commerce is ideal if you:
- Have a content-driven marketing approach.
- Want to be able to use AI, AR, or personalization.
- You want to build seamless digital experiences across a range of touchpoints and gadgets.
- Have requirements for multi-site or worldwide selling, with the same backend powering numerous front-end experiences.
- Use an existing content management system (CMS) and wish to integrate e-commerce features; you have already done the necessary groundwork.
- You already sell material online and operate a distinct website, but you would like to be able to combine the two.
Important Headless Ecommerce Features to Watch Out For
- Modeling, creation, and endorsement of content
- Freedom to select a framework
- Improvement of the workflow and integration
- Administration of digital assets in multiple languages
CMSs that are expandable and scaleable and offer headless eCommerce integrations
Contentful
The modern, content-focused platform is called Contentful. It is designed for teams that must centralize all work relating to the content. In order to arrange the content for a variety of channels and platforms, it makes use of open APIs and strong integration capabilities.
Experience Manager for Adobe
It’s possible to create, manage, and optimize the customer experience across all channels using AEM because it’s a web-focused content management platform designed for large businesses.
Amplience
Amplience is a headless, API-first content management platform that grants B2C and B2B company operations greater independence. More than 350 of the world’s top brands are served by Amplience, such as Crate & Barrel, Tumi, Traeger Grills, Argos, OTTO Group, Primark, and Very Group.
Acquia
Acquia is an open-source digital experience solution built on Drupal that lets you design, manage, and improve every part of your online presence from one place. With the help of a content management system (CMS) and its various capabilities, you can design first-rate digital experiences for any platform.
Kentico
The Kentico Content Management System (CMS) makes it easier to make Web 2.0-style websites, online shops, intranets, and social networking sites. Microsoft Azure is compatible with Kentico CMS, which makes use of ASP.NET and Microsoft SQL Server. As you might have guessed, the best development environments for the app are Microsoft MVC and Visual Studio.
Sitecore
Sitecore is a top platform for building streamlined, personalized digital experiences. This platform combines a.NET-based content management system with digital marketing capabilities. The company’s most important product (CMS) is the Sitecore Experience Platform (XP), which combines its powerful content management system with the Sitecore Experience Manager and Sitecore Experience Database (xDB).
Prismic
A content management system, Prismic. It’s basically a tool that lets you choose your technology, operating system, and language so that you can easily manage your information.
Storefront Vue
Vue Storefront is a headless and backend-neutral Progressive Web App (PWA) for e-commerce. It was created in the Vue.js programming language. Vue Storefront can connect to any eCommerce platform and work as a PWA frontend for Magento, Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce because it uses headless architecture.
Directus
An open-source technology called Directus wraps a dynamic API in unique SQL databases and offers an easy-to-use admin UI to control its content. For more control over all of your digital channels, your CMS deployment could be hosted on your own servers or in the cloud on demand.
Strapi
The Node.js-based headless platform Strapi is open-source. The best thing about the CMS is that it can make content available through an API that can be freely changed. It was made so that developers can make Node.js apps that can be used in production environments.
Sanity
Sanity Studio is a real-time, open-source, headless platform that can be customized with JavaScript and React. Some of the things that stand out are the ease of editing, the great user interface, the flexible layouts, and the way plugins and custom input modules are made.
ButterCMS
A headless platform called ButterCMS reduces or completely does away with the need for setting up, configuring, and hosting a CMS backend. It gives content writers both a clear and useful user interface and an easy-to-use REST API.
Custom CMS
Craft is a CMS that can be used to create unique digital experiences for the web and beyond. It is flexible and easy to use. It features an easy-to-use, simple control panel for handling administrative and content creation activities. Additionally, Craft CMS’s own The With CraftCommerce, offer-commerce, and e-commerce using a drag-and-drop interface, you can create an online store that fits your business’s exact needs and preferences. interface.
CMS Netlify
Generators of static websites can use content management systems. Using a static site generator, you may make it simple for non-technical users to update and add content to a website. The MIT License governs the release of Netlify. Please make sure you are aware of its implications and guarantees.
Cockpit
The Cockpit is excellent if you require a flexible content structure but don’t want to be limited in how you may use the material. The Cockpit is a great solution if you need a user interface for managing content for builders of static websites or if you want to support multiple devices. So, please get familiar with Cockpit’s installation process, make your own apps, and have Cockpit feed its content to users.
Contentstack
Your favorite marketing tools (like Brightcove, Marketo, Salesforce, Optimizely, etc.) are easy to integrate, and you are not limited to a set list of tools. Set up workflows and approval processes that connect the way your company manages and publishes content to its business activities. It lets content editors make and change dynamic pages on their own without the help of a developer.
DatoCMS
DatoCMS is a headless content management system (CMS) hosted in the cloud. DatoCMS may be integrated with any static website, mobile app, or server-side program. The web-based CMS makes it possible for even customers and team members without technical expertise to manage the content of digital products.
GraphCMS
GraphCMS is the first fully native GraphQL API-first headless CMS. This means that teams from all over the world can quickly design and deploy the digital experiences of the future that are all-encompassing and work across all channels. Developers can use it to build a GraphQL host server, which makes it easier to manage content across multiple channels in the modern world. Any front-end technology, including React, Angular, and Vue, can be interacted with by GraphCMS.
Storyblok
Storyblok is a link between people who make content and people who make software. It doesn’t force developers to use a certain technology. The speedier development and upkeep of the website is Storyblok’s key objective! The goal is to give authors a single place to write articles, stories, and landing pages while also giving developers easy access to data through a strong API and well-organized content.
Basic DNA
When it comes to the mid-market, Core DNA stands out as the leading digital experience platform (DXP), providing businesses with everything they need to achieve their goals for a corporate website, eCommerce, intranet, extranet, mobile, social, and online marketing.
Zesty
A hybrid content management system (CMS) called Zesty.io lets you create content APIs, unique endpoints, and more! Almost all static site generators are compatible with them.
TakeShape
TakeShape is a cloud platform that makes it easier and cheaper to build and maintain a content experience at scale in the cloud by using a Static Content Generator that is built around a GraphQL API. TakeShape uses serverless technology for its operations. It’s capable of scaling up to meet the demands of any amount of traffic. To launch your website Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Google Cloud Storage (GCP), and Netlify (coming soon) are all good options.
Platforms for Online Shopping that Support the Headless Ecommerce Method
Magento
Magento is leading the list of platforms for headless e-commerce as it supports a headless approach like no other platform. It is an open-source e-commerce platform that gives online businesses a dynamic shopping cart system as well as control over the design, content, and functionality of their online store. Magento provides effective marketing, search engine optimization, and catalog management features.
Shopify Plus
While Shopify is best for small and medium-sized businesses, the more recent Shopify Plus caters to the needs of multinational corporations. Shopify Plus can take a much greater load than a standard Shopify subscription, despite the fact that the essential services are the same.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a well-liked e-commerce platform used to create and manage online storefronts. It lets you set up your e-commerce website, add products, and start making money from it. BigCommerce is the best choice for large or quickly growing businesses because it has so many features and data sources that are already set up.
CommerceTools
The cloud-native headless commerce platform that commercetools, a next-generation IT company, offers is the basis for digital commerce in the modern world. Our cutting-edge API strategy helps merchants build brand recognition by encouraging trade teams to create new and interesting digital commerce experiences anywhere, now and in the future.
ElasticPath
Elastic Route is an eCommerce system that doesn’t have a “head.” This makes it easier to add template-free eCommerce as middleware to enterprise ERP systems. The API-based platform primarily targets businesses at the enterprise level.
Moltin
Moltin’s cloud-based eCommerce solution lets any website or app quickly and easily add easyeCommerce features like inventory, shopping carts, and checkout processes. This is made possible by a set of simple and effective APIs.
Cloud SAP CX Commerce
Take control of your sales, customer service, and communication strategies across all platforms with the industry leader (SAP Commerce Cloud). On a single platform, media-neutral product data is prepared with central control.
OroCommerce
OroCommerce is a scalable, open-source platform built specifically for business-to-business eCommerce. OroCommerce offers the necessary eCommerce solution for brands, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. The solution can be delivered using either an on-site configuration or a SaaS/cloud infrastructure.
Spryker
Spryker is a platform for digital transformation projects, online businesses, and data-driven business models that focus on the customer.
Snipcart
A shopping cart solution like Snipcart can turn any website into a fully customizable e-commerce platform. Simple Snipcart integration will only take developers minutes to complete, not hours.
FoxyCart
FoxyCart is an e-commerce platform that can be fully customized. It was made to help web designers and developers make online shopping carts that are strong and easy to use. Foxycart meets the needs of seasoned developers, but it is also perfect for beginners with basic HTML knowledge.
Summary
Every online business that wants to stay competitive must make, manage, and share high-quality content. By using the right kind of headless commerce for your business, it’s easy to give your customers a digital experience they won’t forget. I have shared the features of the top 22 CMS that allow headless eCommerce and went over the 11 eCommerce platforms that have headless capabilities.
If you know more CMS or headless-enabled eCommerce platforms, please let me know in the comments section below. Become headless.
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