Today we present the headless CMS. Before getting to the heart of the matter, we would like to remind you what a CMS is!
Definition of CMS and traditional operation
CMS stands for "Content Management System". It is a platform that allows you to design and manage a website, an application, ... It allows you to create, integrate, modify web content and its formatting. In short, it is an interface that allows you to manage a website in a simplified way. Traditionally, we speak of Coupled CMS. It is an interface that allows you to manage both the backend, i.e. the management of data, and the frontend, i.e. the display of data. These coupled CMS are particularly interesting when you only use one distribution channel. However, there are other types of CMS, including the headless CMS, which is the subject of today's article.The headless CMS
The headless CMS is a CMS in which the back end and front end are separated. Data management and content creation are separated from their display. In short, this type of CMS offers a back office independent of the front office. Il est constitué d’un ensemble de données et contenus, mais qui ne sont plus automatiquement relié au front end. On parle donc de CMS « sans tête » puisqu’il s’agit d’un CMS dans lequel il n’y a pas de front end.How does it work?
To display the information, the back office uses API (Application Programming Interface), which will collect the data. This data will then be sent to separate platforms responsible for displaying the information. Thus, the API is an intermediary that links the two systems. The API is therefore at the heart of the process as it receives the data and is responsible for transferring it to the front office. In short, developers create content in the back office, send it to an API, and then create as many front offices as they want, which will receive the information.The benefits of headlessness
- A CMS that allows you to have as many front ends as you want for a single data management system! This allows you to have a single data management system for multiple channels: the same content is compatible with multiple existing channels (website, mobile application, connected objects).
- The headless CMS offers more flexibility and therefore more freedom in project management.
- It allows you to make changes to the displays without having to modify the back office.
One main disadvantage
Content preview is not possible on the back office. It is difficult to get an idea of the display before publication on the API. Indeed, the display cannot be managed in the back office.Why choose a headless CMS?
- This system is particularly interesting if you want to offer the same content on different media, as it will simplify the process. In fact, only one development will be needed to adapt to the different media.
- It is also very advantageous to simplify the development of mobile applications. Indeed, there is no need to develop your application twice for each platform (iOS and Android) since the content and data will be on the same server.
- Similarly, this technology is particularly well suited to the deployment of Progessive Web Apps. Learn more about PWA.
- This is a feature that also seems quite relevant withJavaScript technologiessuch as React, Vue.js, Angular.
- Finally, you may want to favour this type of interface if you are looking for flexibility in the development of your support.