How we used to do it:
In the past, we would start building a website and stuff it onto a web content management system (CMS). Something that was able to allow regular people to add and update web pages without writing a whole bunch of code. That old CMS tried to be the central system for web content. They were referred to as portals or monolith CMS systems. They’re like the OGs of website platforms – think of them as the old school, all-in-one packages that come with everything but the kitchen sink. You get the whole thing in one neat package – no assembly required.
Sure, they’ve got some perks. Like, straight outta the box, you’re up and running with all the basic functions you need. Plus, since the vendor already set everything up, you don’t have to spend ages figuring out how to configure it. It’s like getting a ready-made website toolkit.
But, hold up, there’s a catch. You see – when you sign up for one of these monsters, you’re kinda hitching your wagon to that vendor for the long haul. It’s like being in a committed relationship – breaking up is hard to do. If you wanna switch to a different provider, it’s like trying to untangle your earbuds – a whole mess.
The other problem is that your content is tightly intertwined with the design. What does that mean? It’s tough to share it anywhere else without sending a bunch of text mixed with your styles and programming information.
Also, because it’s not plug-and-play, when the market changes, you can find yourself struggling to update your CMS quickly or connect it to a new marketing tool you need.
But wait, there’s more: when something goes haywire, it’s like the whole circus comes crashing down. It’s not just a hiccup in one part of the system – nah, it’s a full-blown meltdown across the board. One minute you’re cruising along, and the next, you’re stuck in digital gridlock.
That’s why the top players in the tech world realized there had to be a better way. They figured out that breaking free from the monolith and going for a more flexible setup was the key. You know, giving folks the freedom to mix and match without feeling like they’re stuck in vendor purgatory. Smart move, if you ask me.
Meet the new new: Headless, what is it and why we are talking about it:
Alright, picture this: you’ve got your typical CMS, right? Well, a headless (or decoupled) CMS is like taking that CMS and giving it a makeover. Instead of being all tangled up with the front-end stuff (you know, what your customers see) and the back-end stuff (the engine behind the scenes), it’s like they’re living their best separate lives.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, when they’re not joined at the hip, you can tweak and tinker with each part without worrying about breaking the whole system. It’s like renovating your kitchen without having to redo the plumbing in the entire house.
Now, why the sudden shift to headless? Well, with the rise of snazzy tech like Angular, React, and Vue, CMS platforms had to get with the times. These new kids on the block are all about serving up slick single-page applications, and the old CMS setup just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
That’s where outfits like ContentStack, Contentful, StoryBlok, Drupal and GraphCMS swooped in. Back in 2014, they saw the writing on the wall and started offering up this headless magic. Fast forward to today, and they’ve blossomed into full-blown digital experience platforms. Think of them as your one-stop shop for creating, managing, and delivering content across every device and channel imaginable. Even the workhorse of small business sites, WordPress, now has a headless option.
So, if you’re looking to modernize your web or app projects with a more adaptable approach, headless is the way forward.
A new direction: composability.
Let’s take the next step beyond headless. Composable CMS and Composable UX. It’s like the superhero of flexibility, agility, and scalability in the digital world. Picture a digital experience platform (DXP) made up of a bunch of tech pieces working together like a dream team. You’ve got your content management, personalization, analytics, and more all in one handy package.
But here’s where it gets cool: unlike those clunky monolithic DXPs that force you to use their whole suite whether you like it or not, a composable DXP is all about mix and match. You get to pick and choose the best tools for the job, creating a custom setup that’s as unique as your business. It’s like building your own sandwich instead of settling for the pre-made combo.
Imagine you’re building a digital masterpiece, right? Well, think of composability like having a giant box of Legos at your disposal. You’ve got all these different pieces – bricks, wheels, windows, you name it. Now, instead of being stuck with just one set of instructions, you can mix and match those Legos to create whatever you want. Want to build a spaceship one day and a castle the next? No problem! It’s all about creativity and endless possibilities.
Now, with great power comes great responsibility, right? Sure, you’ve got the freedom to play with any coding language or tool you fancy, thanks to those handy standard APIs. But juggling multiple vendor contracts and keeping track of all those moving parts? That’s where things can get a bit tricky. It’s like spinning plates – you gotta stay on your toes.
But wait, there’s more! With a composable setup, you’re not just stuck managing content for one channel at a time. Oh no, it’s like breaking that content into bite-sized bits that you can mix, match, and serve up however you like. It’s like having a buffet of content options at your fingertips.
And check this out: going cloud-native means you’re tapping into the big leagues. Think Google Cloud and AWS, baby. With the power of the cloud behind you, you’re looking at less hassle, more scalability, and faster results. It’s like upgrading from a tricycle to a turbocharged rocket ship.
Best part? You’re not tied down to any proprietary tech. You’ve got the freedom to code, integrate, and manage your applications however you please. No need for fancy certifications or learning a whole new language – just unleash your existing talent and watch your tech stack soar.
So, why bother with all this composable jazz? Well, let me break it down for you:
- Flexibility: Mix and match your digital experiences like Lego blocks. Need a quick change? No problemo.
- Scalability: Handle more traffic, content, and interactions without breaking a sweat. Scale up, scale out – you’re covered.
- Personalization: Serve up tailored experiences that keep your customers coming back for more. It’s like having a personal shopper for every user.
- Agility: Move fast, break things (but not really). With a composable setup, you can iterate, experiment, and innovate at the speed of light.
- Integration: Connect the dots between all your favorite tools and services. E-commerce, CRM, you name it – it all plays nice together.
- Future-proofing: Stay ahead of the curve with open standards and modular architectures. No vendor lock-in here – just endless possibilities.
In a nutshell, going composable with your CMS or DXP is like unlocking a whole new level of digital wizardry. So why wait? Dive in and watch your digital experiences take flight.
Meet the Author
Ross Plank
Ross is head of our Digital Practice at Krasan. He has over 20 years of interactive experience working with clients from all over the world and has helped clients complete over 30 different CMS, Portal and other various web and enterprise implementations
