What is Headless WordPress?
Headless WordPress is a type of WordPress installation in which the front end (the part of the website visitors see) is decoupled from the back end (the part that manages the content and data). Decoupled means that the front end of a headless WordPress site can be built using any technology, such as React, Angular, or Vue.js, while the backend remains powered by WordPress. Many types of frontend systems can consume the data from the WordPress website. The connection is called an API, an application programming interface.
There are several benefits to using headless WordPress. First, it allows for greater flexibility and customization of the front end. The new front-end systems built with NextJS, React, Angular, or Vue often have very high-performance browsers. Developers are not limited to using the default WordPress themes and plugins; they can create a unique user experience. Second, headless WordPress can improve performance. Pages can load more quickly because the frontend is not directly connected to the WordPress database. Third, headless WordPress can be more secure. Because the frontend is not directly connected to the WordPress database, it is less vulnerable to attack.
How does headless WordPress work?
In a traditional WordPress installation, the frontend and backend are tightly coupled. When a visitor requests a page, the WordPress software generates the HTML code for the page and sends it to the visitor’s browser. In a headless WordPress installation, the frontend and backend are decoupled. When a visitor requests a page, the frontend code requests the WordPress API, which returns the data needed to generate the page. The frontend code then generates the HTML code for the page and sends it to the visitor’s browser.
What are the benefits of using headless WordPress?
There are several benefits to using headless WordPress, including:
- Greater flexibility and customization: Developers are not limited to using the default WordPress themes and plugins and can create a completely unique user experience.
- Improved performance: Pages can load more quickly because the frontend is not directly connected to the WordPress database.
- Increased security: The front end is less vulnerable to attack because it is not directly connected to the WordPress database.
- Easier to scale: A headless WordPress site can be more easily scaled to handle increased traffic.
- More familiarity: More people, especially marketers, are used to working with WordPress.
What are the downsides of using headless WordPress?
When building a headless system, you must realize that you are building at least two applications. The benefits of WordPress are that the data and the front end exist within the same applications. Not so with headless. Now, you must build and maintain a front end that can be built in JavaScript, React, and/or NextJS if you are building with NextJS. However, you must also build with PHP, SQL, and WordPress for WordPress data and APIs. Typically, this isn’t much to ask, as WordPress offers many robust methods for building the API vector for the data.
This route is a no-brainer if you have the resources and dedicated, competent people to manage the site.
When should you use headless WordPress?
Headless WordPress is a good option for websites that need:
- A high degree of flexibility and customization
- Improved performance
- Increased security
- Easy scalability
Conclusion
Headless WordPress is a powerful tool for creating high-performance, secure, and scalable websites. If you are looking for a way to take your WordPress site to the next level, it is worth considering. I’ve written other posts on tools to use with the Headless WordPress developer experience like this post about using Postman with the WP Rest API