Definition of headless architecture
What is a headless website?
A headless website is a type of website in which the content and backend systems are separated from the presentation layer. This means that the content is stored in a headless content management system (CMS), while the presentation is managed by a separate front-end interface, such as a JavaScript framework or a mobile application.
How is it different from a traditional website?
In a traditional website, content and presentation are closely linked. This means that if you want to change the presentation of your website, you also have to change the content and backend. This can be restrictive and can slow down the development process.
With a headless website, content and presentation are separate. This allows you to modify the presentation of your website without having to touch the content. It’s much more flexible and saves time and resources.
How a headless website works
The main components of a headless website
A headless website is built around two main components:
- The headless back office: This is the content management system where the content is stored. It is accessible via an API.
- The frontend interface: This is the visible part of the website, the part that users see. It is built using a JavaScript framework or a mobile application and retrieves content from the headless back office via the API.
Content storage
The content of a headless website is generally stored in a structured format, such as JSON or XML. This makes it easy to store and distribute via an API.
In the case of an e-commerce site, the back office contains all the product data sheets in the catalogue: descriptions, images, prices, stock, etc., but also promotions, batch compositions, related and/or complementary items, etc.
How content delivery works
When a user visits a headless website, the front-end interface sends a request to the headless back-end API to obtain the content. The API returns the content in the form of JSON or XML, and the front-end interface uses it to generate the web page.
Role of APIs
APIs play a crucial role in headless websites. They make it possible to separate the content from the presentation and make it accessible to different channels, such as websites, mobile applications, interactive terminals, etc.
Advantages of a headless website
As mentioned above, sites built using headless architecture offer a number of advantages, including
Greater flexibility
- Changing the presentation without changing the content: firstly, you can change the appearance and structure of your website without having to change the content itself. This allows you to test different layouts and adapt quickly to new trends.
- Distribute content across multiple channels: content stored in a headless CMS can be distributed across different channels, such as your website, your mobile application, your social networks, etc.
- Create personalised experiences: you can tailor the user experience to the needs and preferences of each individual user.
Better performance
- Faster loading: content and presentation are separated, so the website loads faster. This is particularly important for websites with a lot of content, such as blogs or e-commerce sites.
- Better SEO optimisation: separating content and presentation means the website is better optimised for search engines.
Enhanced security
- Less vulnerable headless back-end: the headless back-end is less accessible to end users and attacks than a traditional CMS.
- Better data protection: sensitive data can be stored more securely in a headless CMS.
Better user experience
- Faster, more responsive websites: thanks to their architecture, headless sites are generally faster and more responsive than traditional websites.
- Personalised user experiences: content can be customised according to each user’s needs and preferences.
- Improved accessibility: headless websites can be more easily adapted to the needs of disabled users.
Mistakes to avoid when creating a headless site
Headless architecture can present a number of difficulties when it comes to implementation:
Increased complexity
Setting up a headless website is more complex than setting up a traditional website. However, all you need to do is think the project through beforehand to make implementation as smooth as possible.
Higher development costs
The development of a headless website can be more expensive than that of a traditional website, but with the budget allocated, you benefit from dedicated support from your service provider.
Technical skills required
Setting up and managing a headless website requires technical skills at the creation stage. But once it’s online, you can manage and modify it yourself.
Use of headless websites
Headless websites can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Corporate websites
Corporate websites can also use a headless CMS to centralise their content and distribute it across different channels, such as their website, mobile application and social networks.
E-commerce sites
In addition, e-commerce sites can use a headless CMS to improve the performance of their website and offer a better user experience.
Blogs
Blogs can use a headless CMS to concentrate on creating quality content without having to worry about presentation, for example.
Mobile applications
Finally, mobile applications can use a headless CMS to deliver dynamic content to users.
Conclusion
Headless websites offer many advantages over traditional websites. They are more flexible, more powerful, more secure and also offer a better user experience.
The choice of headless architecture depends on your specific needs and resources. If you’re looking for a flexible, scalable solution for your website, a headless website is an excellent option.