Headless WordPress is a term used to describe a website that uses WordPress as the back-end software to manage data and content, but uses separate technologies to display the data on the front-end. In a headless WordPress setup, the back-end admin area of WordPress is separated from the front-end that visitors see. The back-end is where you create content like posts and pages, install plugins, manage comments, and more, while the front-end is the publicly visible area of your website.
The primary advantage of a headless WordPress approach is decoupling content editing teams and developers. With headless WordPress, a marketing team and content team can continue to use their familiar WordPress interface, while the development team can use the tools they love like React, GraphQL, in a Git workflow they are comfortable with. Headless WordPress enables content writers to use a familiar interface while giving web developers the flexibility to use any frontend technology stack.
However, headless WordPress does not support all features of WordPress, and some WordPress features like the WYSIWYG editor and live preview won’t work when using a headless approach. Running a headless WordPress website is a significant time investment, and it requires developers with the necessary skills to pull it through. Therefore, headless WordPress is a solid option only if you have the developers to pull it through.
