Headless architecture has become the new normal for companies all over the world. More and more businesses are adopting a headless architecture to promote scalability and flexibility – so much so that headless architecture is expected to generate about $123.5 billion by 2026.
But what is headless architecture? How does it work? And will it work for you? While there are drawbacks to every approach, the benefits of headless architecture and API outweigh their costs. In this article, we’ll explain headless architecture, API, and how they work together to deliver a stable, mature environment.
Quick Takeaways
- There are two main components of headless architecture: the frontend and backend
- APIs, or application program interfaces, consist of a set of definitions and protocols that allow frontends and backends to communicate with each other
- More than 91% of marketers said that headless architecture leads to enhanced digital performance due to an elevated content experience
- With APIs, backend data is easily reusable across an omnichannel user experience
The presence of API in a headless architecture creates a digital experience that guarantees consistency, stability, and compatibility across all platforms.
What is Headless Architecture?
About 92% of organizations believe that digital experiences are more impactful with a headless architecture in place. But what is headless architecture?
When it comes to building headless applications, there are two main components involved: the frontend and the backend. The frontend of an application controls the overall user experience – what users can see and how they interact with an application. The backend refers to the server side, controlling structure, storing data, and applying logic.
The separation of frontends and backends is referred to as headless architecture. Headless architecture makes backend data, such as content and media, easily shareable to as many frontends, such as devices and layouts, as needed. With a headless approach, developing web applications that work for many channels is not only possible but much easier.
How Does API Make Headless Architecture Work?
APIs, or application program interfaces, allow frontends and backends to communicate with each other. APIs consist of a set of definitions and protocols that make the transformation of data possible between both ends.
Content living within headless architecture is delivered to its end user by API, making seamless displays across different platforms possible. This makes data within the backend endlessly reusable, even in today’s world of highly-competitive omnichannel customer experiences.
8 Benefits of Headless Architecture
Headless architecture offers a dynamic approach to brand management in a market saturated with a wide variety of media channels and platforms. Here’s the 8 top benefits a headless architecture can offer your business.
1. Efficiency
A headless architecture allows users to create content in one place and publish it anywhere. Instead of recreating the same content over and over again, a single piece of content can be reused on multiple channels. This is called content reuse and is one of the main benefits of using a headless architecture.
With a headless approach, companies can also easily switch between channels without losing or recreating their content. This makes the creation process extremely efficient and allows creative teams to focus on making new content.
2. Compatibility
Taking a headless approach to architecture will allow your business to use any frontend platform to deliver content. Instead of sticking to traditional website and app layouts, your team of web developers will have the freedom to create and share innovative materials.
An architecture compatible with all digital channels is especially important as we continue to see advancements in technology. Headless architecture provides any media platform with a consistent experience, whether it’s on a smartwatch or virtual reality headset.
3. Flexibility
Traditional architectures tend to restrict most web developers from taking easy action. Headless architectures free developers of backend limitations and allow them to integrate codebases and programming languages as needed.
In a headless environment, expensive teams of highly skilled developers are no longer necessary. While knowledge of backend frameworks is still necessary, headless architectures require much less technical expertise.
4. Future-Proof
For companies that value tech innovation, headless architectures are the perfect foundation for future-proof success. Most organizations adopt a headless approach early to enjoy long-term efficiency and always be one step ahead of the competition.
5. Productivity
When frontend and backend systems aren’t connected, creative teams can easily manage and evolve content without the constant need to involve developers. When it comes to making requests to change content, having a headless architecture in place can save your team hours of valuable time.
In a headless environment, content creators also have more control over their ability to instill quality and personalization into their work. With high-quality, personalized content, customers are more likely to engage and enjoy materials offered by your business.
6. Performance
Slow web pages are guaranteed to kill leads and important conversations. This makes digitally optimized performance key to gaining new prospects and creating a fulfilling customer experience.
In a recent survey, more than 91% of respondents said that headless architecture leads to enhanced digital performance due to an elevated content experience.
Since headless architecture uses API to communicate between the separated frontend and backend, your website performance is always secure. With headless architecture, your site won’t be compromised if the backend runs into any technical issues.
7. Increased Security
With headless architecture, you won’t have to worry about additional security practices required by traditional systems, like WordPress. Since the content provided by API is usually “read-only”, an additional layer of much-needed security will already be featured in your company’s architecture.
Not only that, but your team of web developers will also have the ability to hide the API behind several layers of code, ultimately shielding it from the possibility of an attack. Considering that more than 72% of WordPress sites are vulnerable to hackers, increased security is always a plus.
8. Brand Consistency
Consistency is crucial to every brand’s satisfying user experience – and unfortunately, using several platforms to manage content is guaranteed to create inconsistencies.
Using a traditional architecture means having differences between frontends and backends, as each part is coded with its own programming language. Headless architectures offer the ability to stabilize data in the backend and leave flexibility in the front end to meet a business’s individual needs.
Since headless architectures unify data, structure, and logic, companies are able to create brand consistency across all digital platforms.
Benefit From Headless Architecture Today
Headless architecture is the key to building a platform that provides stability, flexibility, and organizational efficiency. Updating your business’s architecture with a headless approach will give your company the competitive edge it needs to ensure an impressive user experience.
Heretto Deploy API offers a headless CCMS option to publish content anywhere. From chatbots and custom apps to car dashboards and medical devices, Deploy API provides endless publishing possibilities. Start building your headless architecture today by booking a demo, or visit Heretto’s deploy portal to learn more!
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Heretto Deploy API offers a headless CCMS option to publish content anywhere.
