Headless tools, particularly in the context of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, refer to a type of content management system (CMS) architecture where the back-end (content repository) is decoupled from the front-end (presentation layer). This separation allows brands to manage and store content in a central location (the headless CMS) and deliver it to various platforms (like websites, mobile apps, or IoT devices) via APIs.
The importance of headless tools for DTC brands lies in their flexibility and scalability. They enable brands to deliver content consistently across multiple channels and devices, providing a cohesive customer experience. This approach is especially valuable in today’s diverse digital landscape, where consumers engage with brands through various touchpoints.
Popular headless tools include Contentful and Strapi. Contentful is renowned for its cloud-native, API-first approach, offering robust scalability and integration capabilities. It's popular among brands looking for a reliable and flexible solution to manage and deliver digital content across different platforms. Strapi, an open-source headless CMS, stands out for its customization and self-hosting capabilities, offering businesses complete control over their content and infrastructure. Both tools are favored in the DTC sector for their ability to streamline content management processes and enhance cross-platform content delivery.
The headless space is moving fast. The technologies are evolving everyday and the move away from monolithic stores is happening faster than ever, in large part due to Shopify’s latest Hydrogen offering. To set up a headless store, you’ll need a strong stack. Some parts will power the CMS (like Sanity) and others will control the frontend like Pack. Others will do a bit of both like Builder. Here are all the tools you should know.
Next.js is an open-source React based JavaScript framework created by Vercel. Next.js boasts many features that align with the specs required for eCommerce projects, including; Live collaboration tooling, image optimization for seamless product discovery, built-in internationalization, and built-in analytics.
Netlify is a headless commerce solution, that gives your store near instantaneous page loads. The speed comes from Headless systems communicating with decoupled frontends via APIs.
Contentful is content infrastructure. Their platform lets you create, manage and distribute content to any platform. Unlike a CMS, they give you total freedom to create your own content model so you can decide which content you want to manage.
Sanity.io is the platform for structured content. With Sanity.io you can manage your text, images, and other media with APIs. You can also use the open-source single page application Sanity Studio to quickly set up an editing environment that you can customize.
Headless frontend software to build sites with the services you want, like Shopify, Stripe, and WordPress. Integrate data from anywhere: APIs, databases, CMSs, static files — or multiple sources at once.
Builder.io is a no-code platform that allows ecommerce stores build and optimize digital experiences on any tech stack / platform. Its drag and drop interface makes it easy for anyone to build, test, and optimize lightning-fast, rich digital experiences.
Pack Digital is a headless commerce solution that is loved for its simplicity. Headless commerce can be very complex, but they make many shortcuts for you to get back to growing your eCommerce business fast.
Everything you need to build a better D2C brand, business and tech stack.
