Using WordPress as a Headless CMS

Content Management System (CMS) is very practical and allows you to create, edit, and manage content as needed.

But despite their powerful capabilities, traditional CMS like WordPress doesn’t meet everyone’s needs. In some cases, greater flexibility is required. For example, you might want to integrate your CMS with different coding methods and don't use the front end often. In this case, WordPress may still be the answer, because we can change the way we use it. We can use it as a so-called headless CMS.

In this article, we will discuss how to use WordPress as a headless CMS. But before we dive deeper, let’s start by illuminating exactly what a headless CMS is and what it can do for us.

Key Points

• Using WordPress as a headless CMS provides developers with greater flexibility and control as it allows integration with different coding methods and custom front-end mechanisms.
• Headless CMS only contains API and backend, and no frontend display of content. This means it doesn't have content publishing capabilities like traditional CMS, but it saves development time and is easier to scale.
• WordPress has a built-in REST API and familiar backend that can be used as a headless CMS, providing benefits such as regular maintenance, security updates, and compatibility with a variety of hardware and software combinations.
• Converting WordPress to headless CMS involves setting up a new WordPress installation, using blank themes, and making AJAX requests to use API calls. Additional content fields can be added using the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plug-in.

Headless CMS definition

Simply put, a headless CMS is a CMS without a front-end. Therefore, it only contains the API and backends needed to store and manage content, organize data, and process workflows. There is no front-end display of the content. Of course, this means that any front-end template tends to become unnecessary in headless CMS.

So, unlike traditional CMS, headless CMS only provides content management backend and API. Without a front-end, headless CMS cannot be used for content "release" in the true sense. On the other hand, traditional CMS like WordPress often model its entire presence around the content publishing feature. Overall, this is the biggest difference between a headless CMS and a traditional CMS.

Now, naturally, removing the front end can bring a series of challenges to everyday users. The biggest drawback is that there is little proper way to determine what the content or output looks like when rendered without a real front-end.

In addition, headless CMS can bring some serious security problems without proper safety measures. This is because, in the backend, it is necessary to ensure that different user roles have only appropriate permissions to prevent accidental access to sensitive data.

With that being said, what are the main advantages associated with headless CMS? More importantly, when should you consider using one?

Advantages of Headless CMS

The biggest and most obvious advantage associated with a headless CMS architecture is probably that it provides developers with great flexibility and control. You can control almost every aspect of development, handle data management, how content is stored on the backend, and even decide on the front-end solution that best suits your needs.

With this flexibility, coupled with each headless CMS comes with its own API to manage calls with the backend, you can save a lot of development time. When using headless CMS, it is easier to reuse existing modules, push updates and bug fixes, and perform other similar tasks.

In addition, it is worth noting that applications and websites built on top of headless CMS architectures tend to be easier to scale. High levels of scalability are a clear advantage. The backend is already separated from the frontend, so the end-user downtime is minimized.

Apart from this, headless CMS is usually compatible with most platforms because the front-end itself is missing and can be integrated according to the needs of users. Since the headless CMS itself has no content release solution, the possibility of DDoS attacks is also reduced.

Why you might use WordPress as a headless CMS

We have seen the various advantages that headless CMS brings.

In general, headless CMS is preferable in situations where traditional CMS may not be suitable or are too strict in nature. For example, the case of mobile development. You can easily pass content to iOS or Android platforms using API calls in a headless CMS. Similarly, you can use the JavaScript framework in your application and rely on the headless CMS architecture to push content to various platforms.

Obviously, traditional CMS is still the best choice for small and simplified projects. However, if you need more control over the backend and want to use API calls to push content to various platforms, or even want to integrate custom frontend mechanisms that are completely independent of the backend (or don't want a frontend solution at all), no Header CMS is ideal.

It already has a built-in REST API when it comes to using WordPress as a headless CMS, which means our API part is already resolved. Additionally, we can use the familiar WordPress backend to manage content.

Obviously, this means that we can have our own WordPress headless CMS in just a few simple steps. Given that WordPress is very popular, using it as a headless CMS also means that our CMS works well on a variety of hardware and software combinations and can be maintained and updated regularly.

While there are a variety of headless CMS platforms and options out there, and many of them are excellent in their own right, WordPress still has a very common aspect to its advantage. It has been around for a while and only needs a simple MySQL and PHP stack to run. You can reduce operational costs and cloud storage expenses by using WordPress, while other headless CMSs may have a larger set of demand.

Use WordPress as headless CMS

WordPress has three main parts:

• Database, content stored in
• Administrative panel to manage content (API)
• HTML view or front-end to display content.

Of course, as a headless CMS, the last option is almost useless for us. When using WordPress as a headless CMS, content is treated only as data.

Step 1: Set up WordPress

It is important that you use the new WordPress installation. Considering there are various tutorials on how to install WordPress there, and the official documentation is quite detailed in this regard, we will skip the installation details here.

In addition, most web hosting providers today offer one-click installation for WordPress. Remember: Change the database and table prefix from the default wp_ value to other values ​​and use a strong password!

Step 2: Blank theme

Remember we mentioned that front-ends have little effect in headless CMS? WordPress has a vast ecosystem known for its amazing themes. But we don't need any of this. That being said, WordPress does require a theme to run, even if the front-end won't be used. So a good idea is to just use a blank theme.

When using WordPress as a headless CMS, you only need to add the index.php file and the style.css file, specify the theme name, author details, etc., for WordPress to use.

The index.php file for your theme should redirect the user to the homepage of the static website, ensuring that the backend is not touched and the frontend is removed. Here is an example JS redirection code that you can put into the index.php file (or you can choose to use any of your own code snippets):

<code class="language-javascript"></code>

After the blank theme is ready and uploaded to the theme directory, activate it in the WordPress administrator. That's it, we're one step closer to using WordPress as a headless CMS.

Step 3: Use API Request

Now, as the last step, we just need to make an AJAX request to use the API call. We have put a blank topic so now we can make data requests to use the content the way we want it to.

There are various ways to do this. The easiest way to do this is probably to use a Fetch API that can handle asynchronous data requests. You can learn more about the Fetch API here.

However, some older web browsers still don't use the Fetch API well, so it's better to use a polyfill in case the browser itself doesn't support it, which can create fetch API functions.

The following is what our code might look like:

<code class="language-html"><!DOCTYPE html>


  <title>Using WordPress as Headless CMS</title>
  


  <div id="posts-list"></div>

  

</code>

In the above code, we just process the content through the RESTful API call.

Do more with headless WordPress

For most practical purposes, you may need to add additional content fields when using WordPress as a headless CMS. To do this, using the popular Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin is a good solution.

As any WordPress developer will tell you, ACF allows you to easily add custom fields to your content that you can then call through the API. You can refer to the ACF documentation for plug-in-specific guides.

However, note that when you call custom fields through the RESTful API, you may also need to use the ACF to REST API plugin to properly construct the call. This plug-in can be used to expose ACF endpoints for WordPress REST API.

There is also a little-known and rarely used WordPress plugin here that deserves special mention - WordPress Headless. This plugin allows you to create headless WordPress CMS in minutes. It removes the front end and makes sure the post permalink goes to the editor instead of the view (logged in users only). If you are trying to get started quickly and want to convert your WordPress installation to headless CMS, the WordPress Headless plugin can do this without you having to set it up yourself. Obviously, API calls and other development tasks still need to be handled by you.

Conclusion

When using WordPress as a headless CMS, general usage scenarios involve situations where content management may be required, such as teams processing their own data on the backend. If you want content to be displayed on the front end as a dedicated page, or have search engines properly index the content of your website, you must reconvert WordPress to traditional CMS.

For all other headless uses, this particular model runs quite efficiently, and you can further tweak it with custom fields and other data structures to get the desired results.

FAQs about WordPress Headless CMS (FAQ)

What are the main benefits of using WordPress headless CMS?

The main benefits of using WordPress headless CMS include increased flexibility, enhanced security, and improved performance. With headless CMS, developers can build the front-end of a website in any programming language, which allows for more customization and innovation. Furthermore, since the front-end and back-end are decoupled, potential security threats are minimized. Finally, headless CMS delivers content faster because it only needs to provide raw data, not full web pages.

How does WordPress headless CMS improve website performance?

WordPress Headless CMS improves website performance by providing only the necessary data to users, thus reducing loading time. Traditional CMS presents the entire web page, including design elements, which may slow down the website. However, headless CMS only provides original content, allowing the front-end to process rendering. This results in faster loading times and better user experience.

Is it difficult to transition from a traditional WordPress CMS to a headless CMS?

The transition from traditional WordPress CMS to headless CMS can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with modern development practices. It requires a good understanding of front-end and back-end development, as well as an understanding of the API. But with the right resources and guidance, this is definitely possible.

Can I use WordPress plugin in headless CMS?

Yes, you can use the WordPress plugin in your headless CMS. However, not all plugins work as expected, as some rely on the WordPress front-end to run. Be sure to thoroughly test each plugin for compatibility.

How does headless CMS enhance website security?

Headless CMS enhances website security by separating the front-end from the back-end. This means that even if hackers gain access to the front-end, they cannot access the back-end that stores the data. Additionally, headless CMS reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities associated with traditional CMS, such as outdated plugins.

Is headless CMS SEO friendly?

Headless CMS can be SEO-friendly, but requires additional configuration. Unlike traditional CMS with built-in SEO tools, headless CMS only provides content. Therefore, SEO elements such as meta tags, structured data, and XML sitemaps need to be processed on the front end.

Can headless CMS handle dynamic content?

Yes, headless CMS can handle dynamic content. It provides content through the API that any device or platform can use and display. This makes it ideal for websites with dynamic content, such as e-commerce sites or news portals.

What skills do I need to have to manage WordPress Headless CMS?

To manage WordPress headless CMS, you need to have a good understanding of front-end development languages ​​such as JavaScript, as well as your understanding of the API. It is also beneficial to be familiar with backend development and database management.

Can I use headless CMS for e-commerce websites?

Yes, headless CMS is a great choice for e-commerce websites. It allows for more customization, faster load times and improved security. Additionally, it can process dynamic content and pass it on to any device or platform, which is crucial for e-commerce websites.

How does headless CMS affect website maintenance?

Headless CMS can simplify website maintenance. Since the front-end and back-end are decoupled, developers can update or modify one without affecting the other. This reduces the risk of breaking the website and makes implementing changes easier. However, it also requires a higher level of technical expertise to manage.

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