Why Frontend Developers Should Use a Headless CMS in 2024

When content is fluid and relative to the medium brands are often focused on repurposing and reusing the same message on multiple platforms. With so many different articles, posts, apps, and countless other types of content to track, having a good CMS is more important than ever.

Content Management System (CMS): a tool that helps users create, manage, and modify digital content.

As it stands, there are a few different types of CMS:

• Traditional CMS
• Decoupled CMS
• Headless CMS

Traditional CMS

A traditional CMS (often described as monolithic) couples the frontend (the design of a website and its content) and the backend (the interface used to create content) bundled into a single application that is web-first.

CMS providers like Wix, WordPress and Squarespace are good examples of the traditional model. They usually require the use of a specific framework or language with everything tied into a specific application.

Decoupled CMS

A decoupled CMS has a backend where content is prepared for presentation and a frontend that can be separated from that. The content itself can either be pushed for delivery via an API or an integrated frontend.

The data from the backend is always published somewhere, regardless of whether calls are being made to the API or not. Headless WordPress and Drupal with REST APIs are a good example of the decoupled model.

Headless CMS

A headless CMS has a backend where content is prepared and that's it. The content and its data are only accessible via calls made to the API - be it REST or GraphQL. Headless CMS don't come with a frontend or presentation layer built-in and is how most modern CMS like Strapi, Contentful and Sanity work.

Note: Headless CMS is a subset of decoupled CMS. The major difference between the two is the presence of an optional frontend interface in decoupled CMS and complete lack of a frontend in headless CMS.

Traditional CMS were the industry standard for more than a decade, but the times they are a changin'. With content now playing a major role in every modern business, any CMS that locks users in and limits the possible distribution of content is out of the question. It is often possible to build a new in-house solution that forces the olds tools to work with modern problems, but that requires a lot of time and resources.

On the other hand, decoupling the backend from the frontend with a headless CMS gives users the ability to instantly expand the reach of their content and the platforms they can serve. That extended audience is an invaluable asset for any company looking to find new audiences, users, clients, or even customers.

Why Headless CMS Are Great for Frontend Developers

Working with a CMS was considered a fullstack operation and for most of the history of traditional CMS that was the case!

Setting up medium to large scale Drupal or WordPress sites required knowledge of servers, routing requests, site-hosting, site-maintenance, and even web design. There is a lot of heavy lifting involved in traditional CMS, making the barrier to entry for frontend developers quite high.

With headless CMS everything has changed.

Headless CMS clearly have a lot of benefits, especially for anything interested in professionally managing content. Narrowing those positive aspects down to just a few really highlights just how a headless CMS has frontend developers' interests at heart.

A few of those great examples:

Better Performance and Security

Traditional CMS can be slow and cumbersome to deal with and are infamous for their large code bases. All that code is necessary in order to keep both the frontend and backend properly functioning. Frontend developers will immediately notice how Headless CMS have a noticeably smaller code base, conveniently translating into and less malicious attack vectors.

Headless CMS typically provide content via a read-only API with no database to secure. To add to that, many Headless CMS allow for the integration of a high-performance CDN instead of directly accessing the database, further lowering the risks of breaches or attacks like a DDoS (Direct Denial of Service).

Better Developer Experience

For frontend developers, having to dive into complex code and understand how the data is presented can be difficult and time-consuming. When your core skills are more aligned with artistic design using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, it's normal to want to be able use them.

With a headless CMS, frontend teams can fully concentrate on the visual aesthetics, user experience and accessibility of the website, making the whole front-end development process easier. It really is a developer-first approach where content is delivered in its rawest form to give developers the ability to choose how the data is finally presented.

As an added bonus, developers don't have to worry about all of the endless security updates and other maintenance issues that come with using a traditional CMS like WordPress or Drupal.

Improved Scalability

Having the frontend and backend decoupled means little to no downtime at all. This allows for more customization, scaling, and seamless upgrades without harming performance or usability. Most headless CMS are hosted by the provider, however some like Strapi or Forestry provide self-hosting options. No matter the case, many developers find headless architecture easier to maintain.

Frontend Independence

The overused templates of traditional CMS are often difficult to change, forcing the outdated tools to limit the design of your frontend. Some make you use HTML or CSS in incredibly specific ways in order to fit the strict requirements of the CMS. In short, very few traditional CMS allow your frontend to be completely independent.

Headless CMS, however, deliver content via an API and give frontend developers a convenient choice for how they want to build their frontend and what frameworks they want to use. That then helps frontend developers build and design websites that match their artistic vision. With the popularity of JAMstack, it's no wonder this has proven to be a popular choice with developers having a large number of static sites to choose from.

More Flexibility

The Headless CMS approach enables developers to use different CMS or content sources with ease, while still using the same decoupled frontend approach. That means similar designs can be extended and exported to totally different projects and will work out-of-the-box with minimal effort. It doesn’t matter what programming language or framework you use, headless CMS integrate with any code base. Developers are no longer forced to conform to the CMS with a headless CMS!

In the past, changing CMS meant rebuilding the entire site from scratch.Not only is that not very efficient, but I always felt like there must be a better way to do things. If your frontend is separated from your CMS, that flexibility to change CMS while keeping nearly all your frontend code is inherent to the platform. All you need to do is update the content source.

Better Localization

Unlike traditional CMS that have a cumbersome process for localization, the API-only approach of Headless CMS lets content for multiple regions around the world exist simultaneously and gives you the flexibility to programmatically change the language of an API call's response based on the header.

That lets frontend developers focus on displaying the data regardless of what language is needed with little to no setup. CMS like GraphCMS and Strapi come with these types of localization features built in.

Faster Time-to-Market:

The decoupled nature of Headless CMSs means your content and development teams can work in parallel, speeding up production and allowing you to reuse and combine content as needed. This style of working means content creators don’t need to worry about how different frontends display their content and frontend developers don’t have to go back and forth with content teams to perfect the way content is displayed.

With a headless CMS, the process starts with making sure everything is displayed properly for how the content is consumed. Building the right website quickly and easily is simply a matter of matching a given audience's needs. This greatly reduces the amount of time it takes for a website to get to market while also ensuring all users will be able to access your content.

How to Set Up Frontend Development for Headless CMS

Choose the Right Technology Stack

First things first: pick your weapons of choice. The technology stack you choose will depend on your project requirements and your team’s expertise. Popular options include:

• React: Great for building dynamic, component-based user interfaces.
• Vue.js: Known for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a favorite among developers.
• Angular: Ideal for large-scale applications that require a robust framework.
• Svelte: Gaining traction for its performance benefits and ease of use.

Configure Development Environment

Next, set up your development environment. This involves installing the necessary software, setting up version control, and configuring your development servers. Here’s a quick checklist:

• Install Node.js: Essential for running JavaScript on the server side.
• Set up Git: Version control is crucial for tracking changes and collaborating with your team.
• Configure Webpack or Vite: These tools help bundle your assets and improve development workflow.

Integrate APIs

Now comes the fun part—integrating APIs. This is where your headless CMS really shines. With platforms like Strapi, you can easily create and manage APIs. Here’s what you need to focus on:

• Authentication: Secure your API endpoints to protect data.
• Endpoint Structures: Define clear and consistent endpoint structures for ease of use.
• Efficient Data Management: Optimize how data is fetched and displayed on the frontend.

Design User Experience

Design isn’t just about making things look pretty. It’s about creating a seamless and intuitive user experience. Convert your wireframes into functional code, and ensure your design is:

• Visually Appealing: Use consistent styles and themes
• Accessible: Ensure your site is usable for people with disabilities.
• Responsive: Make sure it looks good on all devices.

Test and Optimize

Before you go live, you need to test and optimize your application. This ensures that everything works as expected and performs well. Consider the following:

• Unit Testing: Test individual components to ensure they work as intended.
• Integration Testing: Test how different components work together.
• Performance Optimization: Use tools like Lighthouse to identify and fix performance issues.

Deploy and Maintain

Finally, it’s time to deploy your application. But remember, deployment isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning. Ongoing maintenance is crucial for keeping your application secure and efficient. Set up CI/CD pipelines to automate updates and ensure continuous improvement.

Main Challenges in Headless CMS Development

Switching to a headless CMS isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are some challenges you’ll need to navigate. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

API Dependency

With a headless CMS, you rely heavily on APIs for content delivery. If your CMS API is inefficient or goes down, your frontend suffers. Make sure to:

• Monitor API Performance: Use tools to track API response times and uptime.
• Implement Caching: Reduce the load on your API by caching frequently accessed data.

Content Preview Difficulty

One of the trickiest parts of headless CMS development is previewing content changes. Without a built-in frontend, it’s harder to see how content will look before it goes live. Solutions include:

• Preview Environments: Set up staging environments to preview changes.
• Live Previews: Some CMSs, like Strapi, offer live preview features.

Increased Complexity in Integration

Integrating multiple external services through APIs can get complicated. You need to ensure everything works seamlessly together. Tips for managing this complexity:

• Clear Documentation: Document your API endpoints and data flows.
• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to manage API failures.

Skillset Requirements

A headless CMS requires a broad skill set. You need to be proficient in JavaScript, frontend frameworks, and API handling. Make sure your team is up to speed or consider training sessions.

Consistent Content Rendering

Ensuring consistent content rendering across devices and platforms can be a challenge. Focus on:

• Responsive Design: Use media queries and flexible grids.
• Cross-Browser Testing: Test your site on different browsers to ensure compatibility.

Managing State and Data Flow

Managing state and data flow in a headless CMS setup can be tricky due to asynchronous API calls and stateless interactions. Strategies to handle this include:

• State Management Libraries: Use libraries like Redux or Vuex.
• Efficient Data Fetching: Optimize API calls to reduce latency.
• Tips for Optimizing Frontend for Headless CMS

You’ve got your headless CMS set up, but how do you make it sing? Here are some tips to optimize your frontend and ensure a smooth user experience.

Use Caching Strategies

Implement caching to reduce load times and improve performance. Options include:

• Client-Side Caching: Store data locally using IndexedDB or localStorage.
• Server-Side Caching: Use caching layers like Redis to store frequently accessed data.

Optimize API Calls

Minimize API requests and use batching where possible. This reduces latency and improves performance. Techniques include:

• Debouncing and Throttling: Control the rate of API calls to prevent overloading.
• GraphQL: Use GraphQL to fetch only the data you need in a single request.

Leverage Static Site Generators

Static site generators like Gatsby or Next.js can significantly improve performance. They pre-render pages at build time, reducing load on your server.

Implement Responsive Design

Ensure a consistent experience across devices. Use flexible grids, media queries, and responsive images to make your site look great on any screen size.

Monitor Performance

Use tools like Google Lighthouse to monitor and improve your site’s performance. Focus on metrics like:

• First Contentful Paint (FCP): Time it takes for the first piece of content to appear.
• Time to Interactive (TTI): Time it takes for the page to become fully interactive.

What is the Best Frontend Framework for Headless CMS?

Choosing the right frontend framework can make or break your project. Here’s a quick rundown of the top contenders and why they might be the best fit for you.

React

React is hugely popular for its component-based architecture and flexibility. It’s ideal for building dynamic, single-page applications. Plus, it has a massive community and plenty of resources to help you along the way.

Vue.js

Vue.js is known for its simplicity and ease of integration. It’s perfect for developers who want a gentle learning curve without sacrificing power. Vue’s reactivity system makes it a joy to work with.

Angular

Angular is a robust framework built for large-scale applications. It offers a comprehensive solution with everything you need right out of the box. If you’re working on a complex project, Angular might be your best bet.

Svelte

Svelte is gaining traction for its performance benefits. Unlike other frameworks, Svelte shifts much of the work to compile time, resulting in faster runtime performance. It’s a great choice if speed is your top priority.

By following these guidelines and leveraging the power of a headless CMS like Strapi, you can create a flexible, scalable, and high-performing frontend.

Hopefully, I’ve shed some light on why you as a frontend developer should use a Headless CMS. With so many options out there it can sometimes be difficult to decide which is the best choice. Luckly, the folks at Headless CMS have compiled a list of headless CMSs that is regularly updated. So if you’re looking for a way to step into the future of content management, that’s a great place to start your journey.

What is your favorite headless CMS feature? Let me know on my Twitter

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Please note: Since we initially published this blog post, we released new versions of Strapi and tutorials may be outdated. Sorry for the inconvenience if it's the case. Please help us by reporting it here.

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