Headless Content Management Systems(CMS): Yay or Nay?

Introduction.

Content Management Systems (CMS) have been around for a long time, since the introduction of FileNet in 1985, and it is no doubt that they are here to stay. A CMS is a software package that allows users to Create, Manage and even Modify content on a website without having to write any line of code or even having technical knowledge. In modern times, they are referred to as Low/No Code systems". Historically the need for CMSes arose during the evolution of the web(web 2.0) when websites became more interactive and users without technical knowledge needed to manage contents on webpages.

There have been several types of CMS as it evolves. In this article, you will learn about a particularly sophisticated one: The Headless CMS. Also, using Caisy as a case study, you will learn about a real-life Headless CMS provider and its unique features. Let's dive right in.

What is a Headless CMS?

A headless CMS is a backend repository, that separates content storage from content presentation(frontend or head)- hence the name Headless -This, therefore, makes stored content available on several presentation layers since it's not tightly coupled to anyone.

Does all of that make sense? Well, think about it this way; It is a system that allows you as a content creator to deliver your content from a single repository(server) to several frontend interfaces for presentation, interfaces like websites, mobile Apps, Smart-watches, TVs etc. such that when you want to update contents, you only need to update the repository and not the several digital touchpoints the contents may be hosted on. In case you've been wondering how Ebay serves similar content across multiple interfaces, well this is it! The content in storage is sent to several digital touchpoints via allowed APIs.

Below is a model that shows the flow of content in a Headless management system:

Benefits of Headless CMS.

• Reach(Omni-channel Distribution): The Headless CMS allows a one-to-many content-sharing system where multiple digital touchpoints are served by a single backend, unlike the Traditional CMS which provides a one-to-one system. This allows companies to reach multiple users regardless of device type.

• Supported Devices: The number of digital touchpoints that can connect to the backend Headless CMS is limited i.e several presentation layers can be connected to a single Headless CMS via APIs.

• Ease of Integration: The introduction of APIs in the Headless management system makes it easy to connect several digital touchpoints. As a result of this, anyone can own and manage a website, even with very little technical knowledge.

• Quick Development: With headless CMS, the time taken to develop websites is short. This is because you only need to focus on building a frontend, it will handle the rest!

• Scalability and Flexibility: Can be easily Integrated with other technologies. For example, If as a company you notice that your customers are tending towards a particular technology e.g devices, it is easy to push your content to such a platform seamlessly with Headless CMS.

• Cost Effective: With the Headless CMS integrated into your company, you do not need a large Technical team and costly developers; thereby reducing your company's cost of production.

Headless CMS Provider: What is Caisy?

A Headless CMS Provider is a retail service that provides all the unique features of Headless CMS to you, so you don't have to worry about building one yourself. In this article, you'll learn about an exciting startup, that provides scalable headless content management for your projects-Caisy.

Caisy.io

Since its introduction in 2019 by Moritz Gruber and Valentino Loenicker, Caisy has gone to be one of the most promising startups offering seamless Headless CMS services to several companies globally.

Caisy has taken all the best features from several different tools for content creators and editors, putting them all in one multifunctional tool. Providing several features like Jamstack architecture that not only make your faster but also easier to use and more secure.

With this multifunctional tool at Caisy, they can solve several problems faced by content creators across the world, problems like:

• Slow page loading times

• Managing content across multiple channels

• Limited and Boring designs

• Lack of technical experience

• Difficulty in Integration with other technologies

Below is a pictorial representation of the workflow provided by Casiy:

Unique Features of Caisy

• Recyclable Component System: With this, customers can easily reuse their components across multiple multiple projects

• Build Anyhow you Want: Caisy offers a tool that allows you to build anyhow you want. Whether you are building with Code or Page builders already provided by Caisy, they have got you covered.

• Live Preview: You can easily see what your page looks like while building, this is an edge over previous technologies where you have to switch multiple times while building

• Flexibility: With Caisy's language translation feature, your content can easily reach millions of users worldwide!

• Effective Collaboration: Thanks to their unique multifunctional tool, you can easily integrate everyone on your team on a project, thus eliminating the long feedback loops in traditional building systems.

• Autosave: With this, Caisy prevents you from losing your work. what's more, you can easily revert to a previous version if you're not comfortable with a change you made!

• User-Friendly Interface: Nontechnical users can now own and manage their content with the very user-friendly and easy-to-use development interface offered at Caisy.

• Several Services: Caisy offers several solutions for your Static Website, Mobile Apps, E-commerce etc. so you do not have to worry about using multiple platforms.

Conclusion.

Now, to the big question; Headless CMS: Yay or Nay? This is a big Yay, having learned the unique features of headless CMS in this article, you now know how it works and its several unique features. It is your go-to if you're a Nontechnical creator looking to own and manage your content online thus eliminating the need for costly developers or If you're a company trying to optimize your development time and also deliver your content seamlessly to several interfaces. To book a demo with Caisy, visit their website at: Caisy.io

It's a wrap, I hope you enjoyed this, Like, share and drop a comment below. until next time, folks.