Hybrid CMS vs. Headless CMS: Which Is Suitable for Your E-commerce Website?
Discover the ultimate solution for your eCommerce website with our comprehensive comparison of hybrid and headless content management systems.
You want to transition away from conventional content management and enhance how your eCommerce website presents content. But you keep getting confused by words like ‘hybrid CMS’ and ‘headless CMS.’ What do they mean, and which one should you use? This article explains everything you need to know about a headless content management system and a hybrid content management system.
What Is a Headless CMS?
A headless CMS separates the backend from the front end, allowing it to act as an independent content repository. It uses APIs to deliver content to different interaction channels, such as eCommerce websites and mobile apps. Examples include LyteCMS, Strapi, and Contentstack.
Features of a Headless Content Management System
The features of a headless content management system include:
- Content Editor
The content editor in a headless CMS is a user interface for managing and creating content. Users can input and format content, as well as upload media and organize it within the CMS. This makes it simple for non-technical users to control the display of content on the front end.
- API-first
API-first means a headless CMS uses an API to pull content from its backend and display it on any device, enabling an omnichannel experience and best-of-breed architecture.
- Digital Asset Manager
A digital asset manager (DAM) system stores and organizes various content assets, such as media files, user data, and branding files.
What Is a Hybrid CMS?
A hybrid CMS is a CMS that integrates the functionalities of both traditional CMS and headless CMS. It enables content creation and management using traditional CMS features while also facilitating delivery to multiple channels and platforms in a headless CMS style. This provides increased flexibility in content delivery and management, as well as the capacity to adapt to various digital experiences. Examples of hybrid CMS include Salesforce CMS, dotCMS, and Magnolia CMS.
Features of a Hybrid Content Management System
A hybrid CMS combines the features of a headless content management system, such as a digital asset manager, content editor, and a content delivery API, with those of a traditional content management system.
- Themes
Themes are pre-designed layouts and styles that give your eCommerce website its look and structure without the need for coding. They can be installed from your hybrid CMS or third-party marketplaces. However, they may cause slower page load times, limited content personalization, and security risks.
- Plugins
A plugin is a type of software component that enhances the capabilities of your content management system by adding specific features or extending existing functionality. Many applications offer plugins for integrating their functions into your site, but they also pose a risk of security breaches.
The Benefits of Using a Headless CMS for Your Online Store
If you are transitioning from a traditional content management system, it is advisable to consider using a headless CMS.
A headless CMS offers numerous advantages such as:
- Complete flexibility in content delivery
- Scalability
- Best-of-breed architecture
- Personalized content experiences for users
On the other hand, a hybrid CMS still retains some limitations of traditional CMS, such as:
- Slow page response times due to the extra interconnected frontend and backend code.
- The original monolithic structure hinders the scalability and efficiency of a hybrid CMS for your eCommerce website.
Give LyteCMS a Try Today!
A hybrid content management system is more flexible than a regular CMS, but it's not great for eCommerce businesses that want to grow. That's why using a headless architecture for your online store is the right choice. It gives you the flexibility and ability to grow to create custom content for your audience on any device.
A headless CMS might sound hard, but LyteCMS can make it easy. I suggest trying LyteCMS for simpler content management and getting more done. With our easy-to-use table interface, editing in real-time, and built-in Markdown editor, LyteCMS makes creating and formatting content easy. Give LyteCMS a try today!