When CMS platforms were developed, they forever transformed how websites are managed. Earlier, websites were built using static HTML pages, where every element, like navigation, menus, content, and layout, was manually coded by developers. With the advent of CMS, the norms changed dramatically. Creating, managing, storing, and publishing digital content became easier as these systems introduced collaborative real-time editing, drag-and-drop functionality, and countless built-in tools for enhancement.
But innovation didn’t stop there. In response to the demands of today’s digital landscape, where businesses aim to publish content across multiple platforms beyond just their website, the concept of headless commerce was introduced.
For anyone getting a website designed, choosing between a traditional CMS and a headless CMS can be confusing. If you’re facing this dilemma, this blog post will help you understand the key differences between the two. Let’s begin!
What is a Traditional CMS?
So, there are two core development parts of an application or website that work independently but are coupled in a traditional CMS setup:
- A front-end that users get to see like graphics and visual elements.Â
- A backend that makes a website work or run. It mainly consists of databases, process data, and servers.
These independent units work together to offer the website its functionality, and they communicate through an Application programming interface.Â
In a traditional setup, the APIs are not designed for extensive complex content delivery scenarios or external integrations.Â
Due to coupled architecture and limited API capabilities, traditional CMS does not offer a high level of flexibility to developers to access and use content across different platforms.
What is a Headless CMS?
To overcome the challenges developers face with traditional CMS, headless CMS came into existence. Content management in a headless setup separates the backend (content repository) from what will be presented to the users (front end). This way, developers can flexibly use any type of technology to build the front end while managing the content independently.Â
In simple words, Headless CMS supports the following:
Multi-channel distributionÂ
You can deliver content to various types of platforms like mobile apps, IoT devices and smartwatches without needing to build a front-end for each device.
Development freedom
Developers can choose the front-end frameworks or technologies of their choice.Â
Faster content update
When the presentation layer is separate from the content repository, it becomes easier and faster to bring content updates.
ScalabilityÂ
As your needs grow, you can easily scale the content repository and front end independently.
Content reusability
You can reuse the content across different channels and platforms.
Headless CMS vs Traditional CMS: Key Differences Explained
| Feature | Headless CMS | Traditional CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Decoupled; Frontend and Backend are separate | Monolithic: The Backend and Frontend are tightly integrated |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible; can deliver content to any platform or device | Limited flexibility; mainly built for web content management |
| Customization | Highly customizable frontend with APIs for integration | Limited customization, usually bound by the CMS templates |
| Performance | Faster performance due to reduced frontend load | It can be slower due to monolithic design and heavier frontend dependencies |
| Development Complexity | Higher; requires developers for frontend and backend management | Easier for non-technical users, with no need for separate development for the frontend |
| Maintenance | More maintenance due to the decoupling of frontend and backend | Easier to maintain due to integrated systems |
| Integration | Easy integration with third-party services using APIs | Limited integration options, mostly within the CMS ecosystem |
| Use Cases | Ideal for multi-channel delivery, e-commerce, apps | Ideal for simple websites, blogs, or small business sites |
Still confused about which CMS would work out best for you? We understand the struggle. Let’s discuss all the aspects one by one in simple words for a better understanding:
ArchitectureÂ
Traditional CMS’s architecture is monolithic, which means the code, templates, and content for the front end are stored in the same place as the CMS. This limits the flexibility.
On the other hand, the architecture in the headless CMS is decoupled. Put simply, the content is managed in one place and delivered to various platforms via APIs. This allows for greater flexibility in how and where content is presented.Â
Here are additional aspects you can compare between traditional CMS and headless CMS to decide which one suits your needs better:
Content Delivery
In Traditional CMS, you might not be able to use the same content across multiple platforms since the presentation layer is tightly coupled with the content management system. But headless CMS allows you to do so as it uses APIs to deliver content. If omnichannel forms a major part of your marketing strategy, you could benefit from the headless CMS.Â
Flexibility in Design
In traditional CMS, customization can be really hard as it offers built-in templates that are often restrictive, so you are just left with the predefined layouts.Â
On the flip side, headless commerce grants you the freedom to design the front-end experiences from scratch as it solely focuses on content management and storage.Â
Developer Dependency
Traditional CMSes are quite easy to use, and you may not require extensive technical expertise or assistance to use them. On the contrary, for headless CMS, you will need dedicated developers to help you build and maintain the front end using APIs.Â
Scalability
As your business starts to grow, your needs also grow; that’s when you need scaling. Traditional CMS fail to offer this scalability due to their outdated architecture that may not be good at handling high site traffic and large content volume. That’s why top website-building platforms like Shopify Plus, Magento, and WooCommerce are offering headless CMS. So, if you are starting out small but dream of going enterprise-level, it would be right to go for headless CMS. By choosing a headless CMS early on, you can future-proof your website and ensure it can seamlessly adapt to your growing needs, even as you transition from a small startup to a large enterprise organizations.
Customization
If you choose traditional CMS, you might need to adjust to the pre-configured themes and plugins with limited customization. To go ahead with the extensive customization, you will need to override the existing plugins or templates. This may vary from platform to platform, though. For example, some platforms might have pre-existing themes, but their number can go upto 100. So, based on your needs you can still go for traditional CMS.Â
With headless CMS there is no limitation regarding customization. In fact, the headless concept is all about creating a highly intuitive and immersive interface for users.Â
Performance
Traditional CMS can be slower for content-heavy applications or websites due to its monolithic structure. Headless CMS, on the other hand, is typically faster since it serves only the required content through APIs without rendering the front end.
Security
Traditional CMS are more prone to attacks because the front and back end are interconnected, making it a single point of failure. Moreover, being traditional, these kinds of CMSes don’t get updated that frequently.Â
Headless CMS takes a clear lead in terms of better security. Its content layer is separate, which reduces the exposure to potential threats.
Still Unsure? Get Expert Assistance with a Free Consultation
If you’re uncertain about which type of CMS is best for your business, it’s time to seek expert help! At Kinex Media, we have extensive experience working on B2B and B2C projects across various industries, from small businesses to enterprise-level organizations. We can assist you in understanding your business needs, selecting the right platform, re-platforming, and more! Schedule your free consultation with us today!