Which CMS to Choose with Headless Shopify Store

Businesses are increasingly opting for a "headless" approach to their Shopify storefronts. This strategy involves decoupling the front-end presentation layer from the back-end e-commerce functionality. By doing so, companies gain the flexibility to deliver dynamic, personalized, and engaging experiences across various digital channels.

One of the critical components of a successful headless Shopify setup is selecting the right content management system (CMS). The CMS acts as the central hub for managing and organizing content, ensuring its seamless delivery to different endpoints such as websites, mobile apps, digital signage, and more. However, choosing the perfect CMS can seem like a daunting task, especially for those without a technical background.

The purpose of this article is to demystify the CMS selection process for non-technical professionals. Rather than focusing on intricate technical details and specifications, we will delve into the fundamental questions and considerations that should guide your decision-making

By the end of this article, you will be equipped with the knowledge necessary to make an informed choice that aligns with your specific business needs. 

What is a Headless CMS?

The term "Content Management System" (CMS) refers to a powerful system designed to oversee and manipulate the content of a website. It empowers website owners to effortlessly modify pages, words, and media elements, ensuring a dynamic and engaging online presence. However, the advent of a new breed of CMSs has ushered in an era of unprecedented innovation and flexibility - the "headless" CMS.

What sets a headless CMS apart is its seamless integration with modern development tools that effectively decouple the backend data from the customer-facing front-end. Unlike traditional CMSs, which provide developers with both data and predefined page templates, a headless CMS presents developers with a pristine, well-structured dataset typically delivered through an API. This game-changing approach grants development teams the freedom to leverage their preferred cutting-edge tools, resulting in enhanced control over the front-end and an unparalleled level of performance optimization.

Visualize your CMS as a sophisticated office space - a realm where you engage in your daily digital endeavors. Just as an exquisite office space cultivates an environment where creativity flourishes, your CMS should reflect a similar ethos. With a headless CMS at your disposal, you'll embark on a journey of elevated technological prowess, empowering your team to craft exceptional digital experiences with seamless precision.

Through this high-end technological lens, our tech blog explores the intricacies of headless CMSs, uncovering their transformative potential and shedding light on the advantages they offer. We invite you to delve into the world of headless CMS architecture, where innovation merges seamlessly with functionality, allowing you to create awe-inspiring digital spaces that captivate and inspire your audience. Join us on this elevated technological voyage as we unravel the nuances of headless CMSs and unveil the future of content management in the digital sphere.

CMS and Shopify: Why Would It Be Ideal?

Shopify undeniably stands as a leading commerce platform, excelling in creating seamless, fast, and secure transactions. However, where it falls short is in providing marketing teams with a world-class level of website management. While Shopify offers some features like meta fields and Sections, they still lack the efficiency and capabilities found in top-tier content management systems.

To bridge this gap and empower marketing teams, pairing Shopify with a full-featured CMS and a modern design and development partner becomes imperative. By adopting atomic design principles in implementing the headless storefront, businesses can unlock the potential to create and manage website pages without relying on designers or developers while maintaining brand consistency. 

Let’s assess a few factors you can consider before making the decision. 

User Experience 

When it comes to creating something for your customers, the user experience of your website holds paramount importance. Ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience begins with considering the needs of both you and your website administrators. In this regard, a well-architected CMS plays a pivotal role in improving team efficiencies.

To determine the type of user experience your team requires, it is essential to evaluate the tools and systems your team has previously used. Engage in discussions to gather insights on the likes and dislikes of those systems. For instance, if your team has prior experience with WordPress, they may be accustomed to features such as publishing workflows, post types, and shortcodes. It is crucial to take their opinions into account, identifying areas for improvement or determining whether certain features should be considered requirements for the new CMS.

By actively involving your team in the decision-making process, you can gain valuable input and create a collaborative environment. Compile the feedback and preferences into a prioritized list of features and functionality that you would like to see in your new CMS. This ensures that the chosen CMS aligns with your team's expectations and optimizes their efficiency in managing and creating content.

Remember, a user-centered approach and a comprehensive understanding of your team's requirements are key factors in selecting a CMS that will deliver an exceptional user experience while empowering your team to achieve their goals effectively.

Features: Plugins and Community 

In addition to considering the user experience, another crucial deciding factor when choosing a CMS for your headless Shopify store is the presence of a supportive community, as well as a robust ecosystem of apps and plugins. These elements play a vital role in ensuring ongoing support, addressing technical issues, and maximizing the capabilities of your chosen CMS.

Online communities associated with the CMS can provide invaluable assistance, helping to resolve technical challenges and providing insights into common bugs. They also offer valuable tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your CMS. While official company-run support websites can be informative, external communities often offer real-world perspectives and practical details. To gauge the helpfulness of a community, you can search platforms like Reddit or explore discussions on technical aspects by searching the CMS name on Stack Overflow. This will give you a sense of the community's engagement and the support available. Pay attention to the longevity of the CMS in the market, as more established CMS platforms tend to have larger and more active support communities. Additionally, you may notice trends in sentiment, providing further insights into user experiences.

Another aspect related to community support is the availability of tools, apps, or plugins within the CMS ecosystem. While this consideration is more relevant if your implementation team has experience with modern headless systems, it is worth noting. In the case of a headless CMS, apps or plugins primarily enhance the administrative side, making work more efficient and secure for your site administrators. They may not directly add functionality for your customers but can greatly streamline internal processes. When evaluating a CMS, ensure that it has a mature ecosystem of such add-ons. This demonstrates the presence of a thriving developer community behind the CMS, indicating ongoing development and innovation.

By considering the presence of a supportive community and a rich ecosystem of apps and plugins, you can ensure that your chosen CMS has the necessary support and resources to address your evolving needs. This collaborative environment not only provides assistance but also fosters continuous improvement and the ability to leverage the expertise of others within the CMS community.

Cost and Pricing

While pricing is a critical consideration when choosing a CMS for your headless Shopify store, it is placed last in the list of factors as the cost of the content management system should not overshadow the overall expenses of operating your business. However, it is essential to carefully evaluate the pricing structure and associated costs to ensure they align with your budget and long-term goals. Here are a few key aspects to watch out for: variable or fixed pricing, ongoing support costs, and hosting costs.

Variable costs are common for cloud-hosted systems, and they typically depend on factors such as the amount of content or the volume of traffic your site receives. If pricing is based on content volume or types, it is crucial to assess your projected website growth and ensure that the cost structure remains reasonable and manageable as your site expands.

Fixed-priced systems, on the other hand, are usually self-hosted. With this approach, you will need to consider hosting costs separately, which may be a new consideration for teams transitioning from a traditional Shopify implementation.

Some CMS platforms offer support or strategic packages, which can be beneficial, especially during the initial six months of launching your new site and throughout the implementation phase. These packages provide valuable assistance and guidance. However, it is important to evaluate the long-term need for ongoing support, as the requirement for extensive support often tapers off after the initial period.

By carefully examining the pricing structure, considering hosting costs, and assessing ongoing support needs, you can ensure that the chosen CMS aligns with your budgetary constraints without compromising on the features and functionality you require. Remember, while pricing is a crucial factor, it should be weighed against the overall value and benefits the CMS provides to your business operations.

How To Make The Decision?

Once you have a general idea of potential CMS options for your headless Shopify store, the next step is to gather insights from your partner teams, colleagues, and trusted individuals in your network. Seek recommendations from those who have had positive experiences with specific CMS platforms. This approach allows you to bypass the overwhelming amount of comparison articles and extensive lists of CMS options. Additionally, keep in mind that any CMS on your list that supports headless implementations will be compatible with Shopify.

After narrowing down your options to 2-3 CMS platforms, it's crucial to request real demos. These demos can be provided either by your agency partner responsible for implementing the CMS or directly from the CMS sales team. During the demo, focus on the use cases you identified during the user experience exercise. Ask the presenters to showcase examples of tasks that align with your team's common activities, such as creating landing pages, adding SEO content, or implementing ADA compliance features like Alt Tags or Tab Order. Encourage your administrative team to join these demo sessions and observe their level of excitement and engagement with each CMS option.

By actively involving your team in the demo process and assessing how well each CMS meets your specific requirements, you can make a more informed decision based on firsthand experiences and feedback. This collaborative approach ensures that the chosen CMS resonates with your team's needs and generates enthusiasm among your website administrators.

In Conclusion

Selecting the right ecommerce platform  for your headless Shopify store is a crucial decision that impacts both user experience and the efficiency of your team. By following a user-centric approach, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your business goals.

At Saffron Tech, we bring over 20 years of collective experience in building websites with CMS platforms. Our expertise includes implementing CMS solutions based on User First and Atomic design principles, maximizing headless CMSes' potential. With our approach, your team can confidently create and edit new pages without relying on in-house designers or developers, enabling you to focus on what truly matters – growing your business.

We invite you to reach out to our team to discuss your specific requirements and explore how we can help you leverage the power of a robust CMS for your headless Shopify store. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward a seamless and efficient content management experience.