The rise of CMS has been unstoppable and anyone in the tech industry is well aware of their rising fame. The evolution of the digital landscape has been fast-paced; hence, the development of existing web application technology has also been inevitable. One such advancement has been the Strapi headless CMS.
Strapi is a CMS platform that has garnered over 50k GitHub stars and has been proven to be a leader among its contemporaries. This article shall discuss all there is to know about the platform and why your business can benefit from adopting Strapi. Let’s dive right into it!
What is Strapi?
Strapi is a headless CMS platform that develops websites, e-commerce sites, mobile applications, and application programming interfaces (APIs). Strapi allows its user to develop an API without needing to know anything related to the backend processes or databases. The APIs are based on the content models. This makes the entire process easier.
A CMS is a tool that allows you to centrally organize and manage content types like text, photos, and videos. Strapi accomplishes this by developing an API, or application programming interface, that links the front end of your website or application to the database on the back end.
Strapi, to put it simply, acts as a link between what people see on your website or app and the processes that take place in the background to enable it to function. Without having to worry about the specifics of how everything functions, developers can simply add new features, manage content, and update the website or app.
The fact that Strapi is open-source and cost-free to use is one of its best features. Therefore, there are no costs associated with downloading and using the program by developers. Strapi is additionally created with developers in mind, making it simple for those who are already familiar with programming languages to learn and use.
React, Vue, Angular, and Flutter are just a few of the programming languages and frameworks that may be utilized with Strapi. Due to its adaptability, it can be used for a wide range of applications.
Traditional CMS vs. Headless CMS
Before we start discussing the features of Strapi, let’s discuss the differences between traditional and headless content management systems.
- Presentation Layer: Conventional content management systems (CMSs) are made to control both a website's or application's content and display. Contrarily, headless CMSs isolate the presentation layer from the content, giving developers control over how and where the content is shown.
- Flexibility: Traditional content management systems have a strict structure and frequently force developers to work within the platform's constraints. However, headless CMSs give developers the flexibility to show content using any technological stack, coding language, or front-end framework.
- API-First Approach:Headless CMSs put an emphasis on offering a strong and adaptable API that can be used to send content to any platform or device. Since traditional CMSs may have limited API capabilities, creating bespoke integrations may necessitate additional development work.
- Scalability:Because they don't need as many resources to operate the display layer as traditional CMSs do, headless CMSs may be more scalable. As a result, headless CMSs can handle increased traffic and content volumes without degrading performance.
- Upkeep:To keep the platform safe and current, traditional CMSs need constant upkeep and updates. On the other side, because they don't need as much upkeep for the presentation layer, headless CMSs can be simpler to maintain.
Traditional CMSs are built to manage both content and presentation, but headless CMSs separate the two, giving developers more flexibility and control over how the material is displayed. This is the main distinction between traditional CMSs and headless CMSs.
Pros of Using Strapi
1. Versatile and Easy to Use
Strapi is a flexible content management system that is very simple to use. Its user interface is simple, and with plugins, you can quickly alter it. Additionally, it has an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) function that lets you create many kinds of content without writing any code.
It's okay if you're not familiar with WordPress. Because it is simple to use and features an architecture that is ideal for backend developers, Strapi is a terrific alternative. Even third-party libraries like Koa and AngularJS 4 can be incorporated.
Because of its modular construction, Strapi is still a fantastic choice if you're working on a more complicated project. This implies that you can modify it to meet your individual needs and include your own features, making it adaptable to any project.
2. Fast and Scalable
Strapi is simple to scale up if necessary and can manage a lot of traffic. Because of its contact with Koa and Joi, its data validation procedure is quick.
Strapi's automatic brown-field function is fantastic since it stops developers from wasting computational resources by writing code that won't be used. As a result, programmers won't have to worry about wasting resources and can concentrate on making more complex features.
3. Free
Strapi has unmatched versatility and usability. Its intuitive user interface and robust plugin ecosystem, in contrast to other solutions, make it simple to generate and manage complex content kinds without the need for coding knowledge.
Additionally, Koa and Joi's lightning-fast data validation allows Strapi to handle enormous traffic volumes, as it was built with scalability in mind. Developers may concentrate on building cutting-edge features without worrying about squandering CPU resources because of its innovative brown-field function.
Strapi, an open-source headless CMS project, has a dedicated web application development community that consistently pushes the envelope of what is possible. Additionally, Strapi customers never have to worry about compatibility concerns or out-of-date features because of its seamless integration of the most recent Node.js version.
4. Dependable Construction
Strapi gives you all the tools you need to create an API that you can easily integrate with your front-end program. Strapi's modular architecture, which enables simple plugin installation through npm, is the key to its strength. Every module is constructed in accordance with Node.js best practices, guaranteeing simple integration with any server or framework.
Strapi makes it simple to handle a variety of queries, including POST, GET, DELETE, PUT, and OPTIONS. Due to its performance-free construction of APIs and RESTful services, it is ideal. Additionally, its admin portion has a strong user interface that streamlines content management, cutting down greatly on development time.
5. Built-In Authentication System
Strapi has an extremely flexible authentication mechanism that may be adjusted to suit your particular requirements. ACL, Basic Authentication, JWT, and OAuth 2.0 are all options for creating different users and groups, each with a unique set of permissions. It also supports all popular databases, including MySQL and PostgreSQL, which makes it simple to manage and save user credentials securely.
Cons of Using Strapi
1. Migration May Be Tricky
It could take some time to get a flawless 100 percent match if you intend to convert an existing backend system, such as WordPress, to Strapi. This is due to the fact that not all WordPress plugins, such as WP-CRM, have native support in Strapi. Thus, you might need to manually deploy them in the background.
On the other hand, frameworks like Kirby or Craft only provide an API layer on top of the fact that they already include all the tools required to handle the content.
Strapi shouldn't be too complex to use if you're familiar with REST APIs. However, changing outdated endpoints to Strapi can be problematic. Because of this, most users would rather utilize Strapi when starting from scratch than attempt to move a complicated system.
2. TypeScript Support
Strapi regrettably lacks native TypeScript support, which might be a drawback for seasoned users working on bigger and trickier projects. This is due to the fact that TypeScript has a number of advantages, including better type checking, an improved developer experience, and higher code quality, all of which can significantly impact project progress.
However, by installing a plugin from the npm repositories, Strapi users can rapidly regain TypeScript functionality. They will be able to use TypeScript and all of its features to write their Strapi code thanks to this plugin. Furthermore, users can even write their own plugins for any language they choose, including TypeScript, because Strapi's source code is available online.
While some users may find the absence of native TypeScript support to be a drawback, Strapi's open-source status and the availability of plugins make it possible to constantly expand and improve its features to meet the needs of particular projects.
3. Not Completely Free
An open-source headless CMS with a variety of features and functionalities is called Strapi. Users can take advantage of its comprehensive content management system, adaptable API construction, and wide-ranging plugin ecosystem for free. Strapi, while its many advantages, is not without its drawbacks, and some users might need extra features that are not included in the free edition.
To remedy this, Strapi provides a Pro edition that gives consumers access to more features and capabilities. For instance, the Pro edition has support for custom plugins, enabling users to create and include their own unique plugins in the system. In addition, users who choose the Pro edition will get qualified help from the Strapi team, including first-class email access to the support team.
Users that demand additional capabilities and features that are not included in the free version of Strapi are the target audience for the Pro edition of the software. Larger or more complicated projects that require more customization and support will benefit, especially from the extra capabilities and support that come with the Pro version.
Overall, Strapi's Pro version is an excellent choice for consumers who need more functionality and assistance than what the free version offers. Strapi's free edition includes a ton of features and functionality, but its paid version gives users even more freedom and assistance.
4. Needs Updating
As a tool that is always being upgraded, Strapi will likely receive regular upgrades to maintain the platform functioning properly. As a result, weekly updates to the stable version of Strapi may be applied to maintain it current with new features and fixes. While this is common for most open-source tools, it can be annoying for developers who want to work with solid software that doesn't break or change without warning. Strapi nonetheless continues to be a dependable and potent tool for creating contemporary apps because of its dedication to staying current with the newest features and technology.
In Conclusion
Strapi is a fantastic choice for companies looking for a flexible and adaptable headless CMS system. Its modular architecture, straightforward plugin system, and extensive API features make it a great alternative for those wishing to construct a bespoke content management system, despite a few limitations like its lack of native TypeScript support and the potential for frequent upgrades.
Businesses can save time and money by migrating to Strapi while still having the freedom to add new features and capabilities as needed. Strapi is a solution that can grow with your business and fulfil your specific demands thanks to its user-friendly interface and robust community support.
Saffron Tech specializes in assisting companies with the adoption of cutting-edge technological solutions like Strapi. Call us right away.
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