On the market, there are different headless CMS solutions, and even if each of them has different features, their operating principles can be mostly simplified and unified. Let’s get to it and see how headless CMS works.
Usually, any headless CMS is used in 3 macro phases:
CREATE: create the content model you want to show in the front-end of your app;
CONNECT: connect the CMS with your front-end, through the available APIs and SDK;
POST: use the CMS to manage your content.
CREATE
Any headless CMS provides a section in the platform, which is used to easily create, for example through Drag&Drop systems, the content model you would like to post on the front-end. Every model can be formed by one or more elements, such as title, rich text, image, video, drop-down, that can be chosen directly by the user during the content modelling phase. Each element can be set up with different rules (or validation), useful to make content management and integration easier.
For instance, if a content element must be added, that specific element has to have the “Required” checkbox flagged. It means that during content creation, the content will not be saved if the required field is empty.
Once the content structure is defined, the headless CMS gives rise to two fundamental elements for the platform’s operation:
1. APIs to be connected with your front-end development stack;
2. The CMS needed to manage contents and post them on the front-end.
CONNECT
Once the content structure is defined, the headless CMS generates an API Rest which can be connected with your front-end. As we said in this article, the Headless CMS easiness to connect to other digital products is a really positive feature. These systems enable your developer team to continue using their preferred development stack, without needing to learn new languages or comply with technical constraints.
Once your developer team connects the headless CMS with your front-end, you are done. Now it’s up to the content creator team.
POST
The model has been created and the headless CMS is connected with your front-end! Now you just have to create your content and post it on your front-end. This solution offers some platform sections through which you can manage contents and schedule their posting.
Discover here how headless solutions improve your content marketing team’s workflow.
What’s NEXT? 🤔
- If you want to deepen what is a headless CMS read this article and become a master!
- Would you prefer to know WHY you should go for this innovative technology? There you go!