headless content management system

{{Short description|Content management system without a front end}}

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A headless content management system, or headless CMS, is a back end-only web content management system that acts primarily as a content repository. A headless CMS makes content accessible via an API for display on any device, without a built-in front end or presentation layer. {{Cite web|last1=Garcia|first1=Veronica|last2=Writer|first2=Staff|date=2021-02-15|title=Should your content management system go headless?|url=https://theamericangenius.com/business-marketing/should-your-content-management-system-go-headless/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The American Genius|language=en-US}}

Whereas a traditional CMS typically combines a website's content and presentation layers, a headless CMS comprises the content component and focuses on the administrative interface for content creators, the facilitation of content workflows and collaboration, and the organization of content into taxonomies.{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Kim|date=2021-04-13|title=The rise of headless and hybrid CMS: Tuesday's daily brief|url=https://martechtoday.com/the-rise-of-headless-and-hybrid-cms-tuesdays-daily-brief-247622|access-date=2021-04-19|website=MarTech Today|language=en}}

Cloud-first headless CMSes are those that were also built with a multi-tenant cloud model at their core and whose vendors promote software as a service (SaaS). These vendors promise high availability, scalability, and full management of security, upgrades, and hotfixes on behalf of clients.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmswire.com/digital-experience/why-2017-is-the-year-of-cloud-first-headless-cms|title=Why 2017 Is the Year of Cloud-First Headless CMS|author=Petr Palas |access-date=2017-01-30|website=CMSWire}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cmscritic.com/cloud-first-headless-cms-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-use-it/|title=Cloud-First Headless CMS: What It Is and Why You Should Use It|author=Stephen Griffin|date=7 February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-07}} Headless commerce uses the same setup to separate back-end product management and navigation from the front end of a website or other display types (e.g., IoT). This is similar to how headless CMSes focus on creating content in the back end to be displayed on front ends via APIs.{{Cite web|last=Levitz|first=Michael|date=2021-02-10|title=3 Ways Covid Changed E-Commerce Forever: Your online store is now your flagship. Here's how to make it pop|url=https://www.inc.com/michael-levitz/3-ways-covid-changed-e-comforever.html|website=Inc}}

Headless CMS is similar to but distinct from the use of widgets or plugins on a site, like adding an online ordering and delivery plugin to a restaurant website.{{Cite web|last=Mortazavi|first=Alireza|date=2020-09-14|title=Headless CMS vs WordPress vs Custom Solution [Tech Debates]|url=https://tech-debates.medium.com/headless-cms-vs-wordpress-vs-custom-solution-tech-debates-e243a96ba3c4|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Medium|language=en}}