A content management system (CMS) plays a crucial role in the creation and maintenance of dynamic websites and applications. It allows content to be easily added, edited and organised, which is particularly important in the digital age where content needs to be updated quickly and frequently. A CMS not only facilitates efficient content management, but also affects the overall user experience (UX), from page loading speed to intuitive navigation.
A well-chosen CMS enables organisations to manage resources more effectively while supporting the creation of engaging, personalised user experiences that translate directly into business success.
What is a headless CMS?
A headless CMS is a modern approach to content management that separates the backend (responsible for managing content) from the frontend (the part visible to the user). Traditional monolithic CMSs such as WordPress or Drupal integrate these two elements, meaning that the way content is managed is closely linked to the way it is presented.
In the case of a headless CMS, the backend delivers content via an API, allowing it to be displayed on any device – from websites and mobile applications to IoT platforms. This approach provides greater flexibility and allows the creation of more complex, scalable projects without being tied to a single technology or platform.
Headless CMS vs. Monolith
Flexibility and performance
One of the key benefits of headless CMS is its flexibility and performance. In the traditional CMS model, where the front-end and back-end are tightly integrated, the possibilities for integration and technological customisation are limited. In contrast, with Headless CMS, the backend acts as a standalone content management system, delivering content via APIs to multiple platforms – websites, mobile applications, IoT devices or even chatbots. This architecture allows development teams to use any tools to build the user interface, regardless of what’s happening on the backend.
For large, scalable projects that need to support multiple channels, Headless CMS offers immense expansion possibilities without worrying about technology limitations.
Because Headless CMS does not impose the use of a specific front-end framework, teams can tailor tools to their needs, significantly speeding up development processes. In addition, separating the front-end from the back-end means that servers do not need to handle static resources (such as interface elements), resulting in improved performance and faster loading of content on end-user devices.
Read more about What’s the difference between Headless CMS vs. Monolith?
Monolithic CMS – Classic solutions
Traditional CMSs, often referred to as monolithic, combine the backend and frontend into a single system. Examples include platforms such as WordPress or Joomla, where users have access to a content management panel that is directly linked to how content is presented to end users. While monolithic CMSs offer a simpler architecture, which can be advantageous for smaller teams, their flexibility is limited. Any changes to the look and feel of the site, or the addition of new features, often require changes to the entire system, which can slow down the implementation of new solutions.
Monolithic CMSs are well suited to less complex projects where ease of content management is a priority and the number of target platforms is limited. For small businesses or projects that do not require scaling across multiple channels, a monolithic CMS is often sufficient and more cost-effective.
However, for larger organisations that require more flexible solutions, choosing a monolithic CMS can become a barrier to growth.
CMS and Digital Accessibility
Accessibility – EAA and WCAG
Digital accessibility is becoming an increasingly important aspect of website and application development, especially given upcoming legislation. The EAA (European Accessibility Act), which comes into force in June, introduces digital accessibility requirements across the European Union. These requirements are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which set standards for the accessibility of websites and applications. The primary goal of these regulations is to ensure that digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of their physical or technological abilities.
Choosing the right CMS can have a significant impact on an organisation’s ability to meet these standards. Some content management systems offer better support for accessibility, making it easier to customise the interface and providing tools to help create WCAG-compliant content.
From a business perspective, neglecting these requirements can lead to legal issues and deter some users from using your services or applications.
Read: ‘Which CMS to choose – an accessibility comparison’ – find out how these CMSs can help you create WCAG-compliant digital products, providing a better experience for all users.
Report: Website Accessibility Analysis
Want to see what a comprehensive accessibility audit looks like? Check out a sample audit report of a web platform and learn what to focus on to ensure your site complies with WCAG and is accessible to all users.
Headless vs. Monolithic CMS and Accessibility
Different CMS platforms offer different levels of support for creating accessible content, but the key question revolves around the choice of architecture – whether to go for a monolithic or a headless solution. Monolithic CMSs, such as WordPress or Drupal, offer less flexibility because their backend and frontend are tightly integrated. This means that the built-in themes and tools are often partially aligned with accessibility standards, which can simplify the implementation of accessible solutions. However, the limited flexibility of monoliths means that making changes to the interface or adapting content for accessibility can be more time consuming and difficult to implement.
However, with a headless CMS, the responsibility for ensuring accessibility falls largely to the development team. The flexibility provided by decoupling the backend from the frontend gives developers full control over how content is presented. However, this also means that every accessibility decision must be made consciously. In such cases, strict adherence to accessibility best practices during the front-end development process is essential to meet WCAG requirements.
Ultimately, how well a website meets accessibility standards depends on the CMS and the knowledge and commitment of the team implementing the project.
Read more about how to implement an enterprise-class CMS in the dedicated article.
When to choose a headless CMS?
Speed and scalability
Headless CMS is an excellent choice for large websites and applications that need to support multiple channels simultaneously – from websites and mobile apps to IoT platforms. With an architecture that separates the back-end from the front-end, Headless CMS allows both content and service performance to scale independently.
This means that regardless of the amount of content or number of users the application needs to handle, the system can quickly adapt to increased demand. The focus on content delivery via API allows for efficient management across multiple platforms without worrying about overloading the system.
Content personalisation
In today’s world, users expect a personalised experience on every platform they use. A headless CMS offers complete flexibility to tailor content to the specific needs of users, regardless of the device or channel they are using.
The ability to deliver dynamic and personalised content in real time makes headless solutions ideal for organisations looking to create engaging, individualised interactions with users at different stages of their journey. This approach also facilitates integration with analytics tools and marketing automation, enabling even more precise targeting.
Future-proof solution
Headless CMS is a future-proof technology that easily integrates with modern solutions such as voice search, Progressive Web Apps (PWA) and even AI-based solutions. The flexibility of a headless CMS allows organisations to quickly adapt their content to new technologies, giving them a competitive advantage and enabling smoother innovation.
In the context of changing user expectations and the development of new communication channels, choosing a headless CMS becomes a strategic step towards building a flexible, scalable and future-proof digital infrastructure.
Who should choose a headless CMS – what problems does it solve?
Enterprises with multiple content delivery channels
Today’s businesses operating across multiple digital platforms face the challenge of managing and synchronising content across channels such as websites, mobile apps, social media and IoT devices. Traditional CMS can limit these capabilities, often requiring content duplication or additional integration steps. Headless CMS solves this problem by providing a unified content management system that can easily distribute content across any number of platforms simultaneously. This allows organisations to manage content consistently without having to maintain multiple independent systems.
Rapidly growing businesses need scalable solutions
For fast-growing companies, the scalability of the content management system is critical. With traditional, monolithic CMSs, adapting to new requirements can be costly and time-consuming. Headless CMS removes these barriers by allowing the content infrastructure to easily scale as the business grows. This means that as the business expands its reach and introduces new products or services, the system is ready to accommodate growth without the need for major technology changes.
Development teams need greater technology flexibility
Many developers value the ability to choose the tools they work with. A headless CMS gives them that freedom, allowing them to build the front-end using modern frameworks and technologies. With traditional CMSs, developers must conform to the system’s limitations, which can be problematic for more complex projects. With a headless CMS, developers have full control over how content is presented to users, allowing for greater customisation and innovation in interface design.
Organisations that prioritise digital accessibility and technological innovation
For organisations that prioritise digital accessibility compliance (EAA, WCAG), Headless CMS offers unique benefits. Flexibility in front-end design allows content to be more precisely adapted to accessibility requirements, which is more difficult in rigid, monolithic systems.
In addition, Headless CMS facilitates integration with emerging technologies such as voice assistants, chatbots or Progressive Web Apps (PWA). Businesses looking to stay competitive can quickly implement innovations without the need for a major overhaul of their content management system.
Read also: ‘How do you test the accessibility of your website?’
In summary
Which one to choose?
The decision on which CMS to choose should be based on the company’s individual needs and future growth plans. Businesses that need flexibility, the ability to quickly integrate with multiple platforms and scalability may find a headless CMS a better solution.
However, for smaller teams or simpler projects, traditional monolithic CMSs may be a more accessible choice. The key is always to match the CMS architecture to the specific requirements of the project, such as the number of content distribution platforms or the level of personalisation.
Content management systems such as Magnolia, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), Sitecore, Drupal, Kentico, Optimizely (Episerver) and WordPress offer various tools to support accessibility. Learn how these CMSs can help you create WCAG-compliant sites, providing a better experience for all users.
Accessibility above all
With digital accessibility regulations such as the EAA on the horizon, choosing a CMS that supports the creation of accessible content is becoming a critical element of any organisation’s digital strategy. Whether you choose a headless or monolithic solution, your organisation will need to ensure compliance with WCAG guidelines.
Headless CMS offers more control over this process, but in both cases, how well your organisation meets accessibility standards depends largely on the implementation team and the tools they use.
Content management systems like Magnolia, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), Sitecore, Drupal, Kentico, Optimizely (Episerver), and WordPress offer various tools to support accessibility. Discover how these CMSs can help you create WCAG-compliant websites, ensuring better experiences for all users.
Learn more about creating accessible digital products:
Author
Marcin Stasiak
Fullstack Developer
Fullstack developer with 13 years of experience, specialising in creating agile technology solutions. Passionate about integrating complex systems believing that technology should be accessible and user-friendly for all users. Also interested in the topic of teal organisations and their impact on the work environment.
Can a Headless CMS streamline your digital projects?
If you would like to learn more about implementing a headless CMS and how to adapt your digital projects to meet the upcoming EAA and WCAG requirements, please contact us. We can help you select and implement a modern content management system that will help your organisation meet the challenges of accessibility and scalability.
