A headless CMS is a back-end-only content management system that decouples content storage from front-end delivery, storing content in the cloud and serving it via API to any front-end framework or platform, enabling businesses to deliver content beyond websites and apps to channels such as smartwatches and virtual reality headsets.
Core Capabilities of Headless CMS Software
To qualify for inclusion in the Headless CMS category, a product must:
- Offer content modeling
- Allow for the creation, reading, updating, and deleting of content
- Facilitate content production workflows
- Organize content in a cloud-based repository
- Give businesses the opportunity to repurpose content across multiple channels
Common Use Cases for Headless CMS Software
Development teams and digital marketers use headless CMS platforms to manage and distribute content flexibly across any channel or device. Common use cases include:
- Delivering content simultaneously to websites, mobile apps, and emerging platforms via API
- Enabling developers to use their preferred front-end frameworks while centralizing content management
- Supporting multilingual content delivery by translating and distributing content across global markets
How Headless CMS Software Differs from Other Tools
Unlike web content management software, a headless CMS removes the front-end delivery layer entirely, giving developers full freedom over presentation. It also differs from business content management software (BCM), where an API allows content to be published on any platform while BCM's open-source nature enables multi-location collaborative editing. A headless CMS should integrate with WYSIWYG editors to provide content authors with a familiar editing experience.
Insights from G2 on Headless CMS Software
Based on category trends on G2, API flexibility and omnichannel content delivery stand out as standout capabilities. Faster front-end iteration and reduced content delivery complexity stand out as primary benefits of adoption.
