In an earlier article, we discussed web technologies, different CMS and the pros of static HTML. In this article, we explore the headless CMS, which in our opinion is the best of both worlds.
What is a headless CMS?
A headless CMS is a content management system that separates the backend management of content (storing, organizing, and retrieving) from the frontend presentation of the content. A headless CMS provides only a backend platform accessible via APIs, enabling developers to choose any technology to build custom frontends, unlike a traditional CMS with an integrated backend and front end. This architecture provides greater flexibility and scalability in building and delivering content to various devices and channels.
That’s great, but that sounds very complicated.
How does a headless CMS work?
A headless CMS works by managing content in a backend database, typically through an administrative interface, where content creators can add, edit, and manage the content. APIs make this content available to other systems, enabling developers to retrieve and use it in a front-end application or website.
A web development framework, such as React or Angular, typically builds the front end in a headless CMS, decoupling it from the backend. The front end communicates with the CMS through the API, and the CMS returns the content in a structured format, such as JSON or XML.
The frontend application can then use this content to render the user interface and dynamically display the content to end-users. Separating the front end and back end makes it easier to scale and manage the application over time by allowing independent changes to be made to either one.
The HCMS architecture offers greater flexibility by enabling the use of different technologies for the backend and front end and delivering content to multiple channels and devices, such as websites, mobile apps, and digital assistants.
What if you have an existing WordPress website?
According to Chat GPT, you can. When asked if one can turn an existing WordPress website into a headless CMS Chat GPT answered:
“Yes, you can turn your existing WordPress website into a headless CMS by separating the backend management of content from the frontend presentation of the content. Here’s how it can be done:“
- Keep the WordPress backend: You can continue to use WordPress to manage and store your content as you do now.
- Create a separate frontend: You can build a separate frontend application using any technology you prefer, such as React or Angular.
- Connect the front end and back end: You will need to connect the front end and back end using APIs. WordPress provides a REST API that allows you to retrieve content from the backend and use it in the front end.
- Update your website: Once the frontend and backend are connected, you can update your website to use the frontend application to dynamically display content to end-users.
Keep in mind that this process may require some technical expertise and may also involve migrating your existing content from WordPress to the new front end. But once completed, you’ll have a headless CMS that provides greater flexibility and scalability in building and delivering content to various devices and channels.
Challenge accepted! We are going to turn our existing https://www.frikkadel.web.za site into an HCMS. In our next article, we will take you through the steps we followed and how the development worked out.