Traditionally, there were two options when creating a WordPress website: the design route or the theme route. Now, we find we are creating more and more Headless WordPress websites. But what does this mean?
A Headless WordPress website relies on WordPress only as the content management system (CMS) or the “back-end” of the website to store and manage content. A separate front-end framework is then used to display the content to users. This is often built using modern JavaScript technologies, such as React, Vue, or Next.js.
Whereas with traditional WordPress, the CMS handles both the back-end and the front-end of the website simultaneously.
How Headless WordPress Works:
- You write and manage content in the WordPress admin area, as usual.
- The front-end site fetches this content using the WordPress REST API or GraphQL (via WPGraphQL plugin).
- The front end displays this content, completely independent of WordPress’s themes or templates.
Why Do We Use Headless WordPress?
- Headless websites generally perform faster than their traditional counterparts. This is, in part, because the front-end can be optimised and hosted separately, often leading to better load times.
- It also negates the need for plugins. These can interact with each other and cause issues over time as they are updated. Using multiple, particularly large, plugins can also dramatically slow down a site.
- The Headless method is generally considered more secure as the front-end doesn’t expose WordPress, therefore reducing vulnerability.
- There is more flexibility as developers can build custom front-ends using modern frameworks. This can also enable more intricate designs. It’s why Headless websites work better for high-performance websites, such as eCommerce or those that are media-heavy.
- Headless WordPress enables multi-channel publishing. This means you can share the same content across multiple platforms, for example, a website and a mobile app.
- If you’ve had a WordPress website before, then converting to a Headless site enables you to continue using a platform you are familiar with to administrate your site.
- Headless WordPress sites can generally cope better with higher traffic and are therefore more scalable as your business grows.
Potential Drawbacks
In our opinion, there really aren’t many. However, Headless WordPress is more complex and so requires more technical skills to set up. This may result in longer timeframes and higher costs.
Rigorous Digital is a Digital Marketing Agency based in Cheltenham, UK. We serve an international client base and have over ten years of experience in the industry. Want more website and marketing tips? Follow Rich Mehta, Rigorous Digital’s Founder, on LinkedIn for regular videos.