Here are the key distinctions:
- Presentation Layer: In a traditional CMS, the backend and frontend are tightly coupled, meaning the CMS controls both content management and presentation. The CMS provides pre-built templates and themes that determine how the content is displayed on the website. In contrast, a headless CMS focuses solely on content creation and storage, without dictating how it is presented. The presentation layer is handled separately by custom-built frontends or applications that consume the content via APIs.
- Content Delivery: In a traditional CMS, the content is delivered directly from the CMS to the website or application through server-side rendering. The CMS generates HTML pages that are sent to the user's browser for rendering. In a headless CMS, the content is delivered through APIs (typically REST or GraphQL), allowing developers to retrieve and display the content on various platforms, including websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, or even voice assistants.
- Flexibility and Customization: Traditional CMS platforms offer a user-friendly interface and pre-built themes/templates, making it easier for non-technical users to manage content and create websites quickly. However, customization options may be limited, and the CMS's predefined structure can restrict flexibility. Headless CMS platforms provide more flexibility as developers have the freedom to build custom frontends using their preferred technologies and frameworks. This allows for more personalized and dynamic user experiences but requires more development effort.
- Multi-Channel Delivery: Headless CMS architectures excel in delivering content to multiple channels and devices. Since the content is decoupled from the presentation layer, it can be easily distributed and consumed across various platforms, ensuring a consistent experience. Traditional CMS platforms are primarily focused on website content delivery, although some may have responsive design capabilities for adapting to different devices.