In a headless CMS or headless WordPress, both the front- and back-end are separate or decoupled. Hence the name - headless CMS.
In a headless CMS or headless WordPress, the front-end or the Head works independently of the back-end or the Body. So, instead of sending the content to the front-end directly, it gets routed through a REST API.
You can set up a new headless WP site or convert an existing one into a headless CMS. You can set it up manually or using plugins.
Manual Setup
Set Up Using Plugin
If you want a stunning front-end, you will need a suitable framework. The top choices include React JS, Faust JS, Gatsby JS, Vue JS, Next JS, Angular JS, Foundation, and jQuery.
A headless WordPress CMS does offer a few unique benefits, including:
Better Front-End Flexibility
Enhanced Security
Better Performance
Increased Scalability
Diverse Technical Skills
The headless WordPress does come with a few drawbacks, such as:
No WYSIWYG editor
Increasingly Complex Structure
Increasingly Expensive
The SEO may not change that much. But you have to keep the following in mind.
Use the Schema.org structured data markup
Use meta tags correctly
Perform Regular SEO audits
Use a static site generator (SSG)
Use a CDN
Optimize Images
Use HTTPS
Headless WordPress is not for everyone. Consider the following before going for it.
Requires higher skill set
Challenging for non-developers
Needs double the maintenance
Lacks live preview
Expensive down the line
Despite the drawbacks, headless WordPress is here to stay. In fact, going headless is becoming seamless and more efficient. It’s likely to be the future of WordPress development.