Headless WordPress is a scorching matter, and it’s more and more utilized by manufacturers and companies to realize important efficiency enhancements and ship dynamic content material throughout a number of touchpoints. 

On the identical time, there are a selection of lingering myths about headless, and headless WordPress particularly, which proceed to skew the view for curious potential adopters.  

Although these myths are persistent, there may be each cause to imagine that headless growth will proceed to form the way forward for the online. That can assist you as you discover this evolving internet structure, we put collectively the next okay information, which addresses a number of the most typical considerations surrounding headless WordPress growth.

Learn on for a fast overview of eight of the largest misconceptions surrounding headless WordPress and see why not a single one is value holding up your headless aspirations!

Fantasy #1: For those who change to headless, you have got to take action abruptly

You might be involved that switching from a conventional WordPress web site to a headless setting is just like a conventional migration—there’s loads of pre-work, after which it’s a must to make the change abruptly.

Whereas it’s positively potential to method a undertaking that means, it’s not obligatory. You’ll be able to take a phased method to transitioning from conventional WordPress to headless. That is what WP Engine is doing with our personal web site, remodeling precedence pages over time to make sure all the things goes off and not using a hitch and our inside groups aren’t slowed down in an all-or-nothing course of.

Transferring to headless is greater than a migration—it virtually all the time requires rebuilding and remodeling your web site in a couple of important methods. A phased method makes a developer’s work way more manageable, providing you with loads of time to check, tweak, and alter your web site adjustments as a substitute of hinging the complete undertaking on a single “time to modify” second. And within the occasion that one thing does go awry, you gained’t lose your progress on different areas of the positioning. 

Fantasy #2: WordPress isn’t the very best CMS for headless growth

Whereas different CMSs like Contentful, ContentStack, and Strapi have positioned themselves because the heroes of headless, they will lack a number of the inherent options WordPress has to supply, similar to Search engine optimisation, RSS feeds, web page layouts, sitemaps, and customizability.

Conventional WordPress is usually praised for its flexibility and extensibility,  due largely to its open-source codebase, plugins, and themes. Builders have quite a few choices for integrations and customizations that make constructing a conventional WordPress web site simpler and sooner.

Due to this native flexibility, some builders and publishers additionally fear {that a} headless WordPress setting could over-complicate the method, introducing too many variables to handle correctly. 

Actually, utilizing WordPress to your headless tasks can really be a lot easier for groups to undertake because of the integrations made accessible. As a result of most publishers and entrepreneurs are already well-versed within the CMS, they gained’t require a lot extra coaching, if any, to get them up and operating on a headless WordPress web site.

And on the developer facet, WordPress corporations and particular person builders are taking motion, constructing instruments that enable headless WordPress builders  to make use of the methods and frameworks they love. 

For instance, the instruments we create and handle at WP Engine—like Faust.js, the WordPress-specific headless framework, and its React-Gutenberg Bridge—are already bettering the method of constructing headless web sites with WordPress! Plus, a number of the most wildly well-liked WordPress instruments, like Superior Customized Fields and WP GraphQL, are already headless-compatible.

Fantasy #3: Headless isn’t prepared for eCommerce

For those who’re already enthusiastic about headless and also you’ve began constructing some preliminary tasks, however you’re nervous there aren’t many use instances of headless eCommerce success, WP Engine has you coated.

We’ve already constructed an Atlas BigCommerce Blueprint and an Atlas Shopify Blueprint to simplify the method of constructing a headless setting utilizing a number of the world’s most-popular eCommerce platforms. 

As a result of we’ve already constructed the connective expertise between Atlas and these well-liked eCommerce platforms, Blueprints practically remove the necessity to replatform or rebuild your eCommerce resolution for headless—simply arrange the connector and go!

Not all eCommerce platforms are created equal—and instruments like WooCommerce are highly effective choices for small-to-medium-sized companies (SMBs)—however a headless, API-driven method can guarantee pace, stability, and safety for bigger eCommerce websites the place pace, efficiency, and Search engine optimisation-readiness are crucial.

Actually, Fight Nook—an MMA sports activities tools retailer—made the change to headless earlier this yr. In doing so, the positioning noticed an general efficiency increase (throughout Core Internet Vitals and different web page pace metrics) of 431% whereas bettering conversions, bounce charge, return on advert spend (ROAS), and income.

Fantasy #4: Headless is barely helpful for giant enterprise websites

Headless has been touted as a safe resolution for giant, advanced websites however there are numerous use instances and various kinds of tasks the place a headless method presents widespread advantages.

Mergers and acquisitions, for instance, might be tough from a technical perspective as model stakeholders search to combine their methods in a means that’s significant and is sensible. Headless structure presents the front-end freedom wanted to fulfill particular model necessities whereas connecting to present information sources similar to a buyer relationship administration (CRM) platform, an eCommerce retailer, or WordPress.  

Publishing, information, and media websites in want of content material administration independence alongside peak efficiency are additionally turning to headless as a option to stability pace and publishing capabilities with a excessive quantity of content material. 

For example, Android Authority, a digital publication which influences greater than 50 million guests, was in a position to obtain as much as 6x improve throughout all Lighthouse metrics with out disrupting its publishing cadence after adopting WP Engine Atlas for headless WordPress. 

When a headless construct empowers content material creators by counting on WordPress as its CMS, it opens up a world of prospects, marrying the creation of wealthy, dynamic content material with the ability to ship it shortly, and at scale.

WP Engine Atlas takes this concept a step additional, providing a rising toolkit of options developed particularly for headless WordPress. You’ll be able to strive it out without cost right here, utilizing a free sandbox account.  

Fantasy #5: Headless growth is simply too costly

Few issues in life come and not using a price ticket, and a few builders argue that headless tasks merely come at too excessive a value. Whereas a headless construct will usually price extra upfront than a conventional WordPress web site, it additionally comes with countless advantages when it comes to efficiency, safety, and even sooner growth cycles sooner or later. This implies you and your group can tackle extra tasks and earn extra money in the long term.

The price of a headless web site can even rely upon the kind of web site you’re constructing. For those who characterize an SMB, chances are you’ll suppose headless is out of attain or out of price range, however the advantages will virtually actually outweigh the associated fee improve while you keep in mind the positioning’s time-to-market, elevated pace and conversions, improved content material autonomy, and extra streamlined growth practices.

Selecting the best resolution can assist you harness the ability of headless whereas remaining price range aware. For instance, premium CMSs, like Contentful, can characterize a heavy price every month for giant groups—and that’s simply to your CMS. 

The identical might be mentioned of some fontend options, like Vercel—whereas the beginning price appears very inexpensive, the usage-based pricing can add up shortly for giant websites, and even mid-size websites can incur $3,000+ in month-to-month payments, only for the entrance finish. 

We advocate discovering an answer that matches your wants AND your price range. Whereas many individuals suppose investing in one thing like headless could be a huge price in itself, you’re additionally investing in your individuals, their abilities and ongoing schooling, your web site, its efficiency, your future effectivity, and your speed-to-market. That’s the actual ROI of headless WordPress. 

Investing in studying headless now means future-proofing your web site, your enterprise, and your company whereas prepping your self and your group to unlock even better potential because the expertise surrounding headless continues to enhance.

Fantasy #6: Studying methods to develop headless websites is simply too sophisticated

To be good at one thing, you often should be dangerous at it for somewhat bit—however that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t take the time to be taught a brand new ability! 

As we talked about above, studying to develop headless websites is an funding in your group and the longer term tasks your company is able to finishing up. That mentioned, the training curve doesn’t should be fairly so steep.

WP Engine is making instruments like Faust.js to coach builders and make it simpler to get began in your headless journey. It’s particularly constructed with WordPress builders in thoughts, so it features in a means that may really feel acquainted to WordPress builders.

Plus, Javascript builders are in excessive demand! It’s a really helpful ability to be taught and broaden upon now as a result of it would possible improve your profession alternatives sooner or later.

Fantasy #7: Headless WordPress is simply too new to leap on board simply but

This is likely one of the considerations we hear from builders most frequently: that headless WordPress is simply too new to leap on board with proper now.

To them we are saying: The place have you ever been? Headless WordPress has been round for fairly some time now—you will discover articles on the subject relationship again at the very least 5 years if not additional—which is an eternity in tech time.

And because the expertise continues to achieve momentum, extra groups and builders are beginning to present curiosity—in actual fact, we discipline questions from our company companions and the manufacturers we work with commonly concerning the ins and outs of headless WordPress.

Now could be the time to get forward of the curve when you can, as a result of headless is right here to remain. Your purchasers will definitely be asking about headless alternatives—in the event that they’re not already! Acquire a deeper understanding of headless now so as to educate and pitch choices to your present and future purchasers.

Fantasy #8: It’s too tough to get began with headless

The reality is, you possibly can strive headless WordPress without cost with Atlas!

For those who’re nonetheless on the fence about headless WordPress growth, we’ve obtained you coated. Join a free Atlas sandbox account to offer headless a check run and see why many builders are already embracing it as the way forward for headless WordPress!