Are you debating whether to make the transition to headless commerce? Headless commerce might be a relatively new concept to several people, but in the world of tech developers, it is one of the highly discussed topics.
Several businesses also do not understand the need to switch to the highly hyped headless commerce when they can still do their business well with the traditional commerce architecture.
However, the proliferation of eCommerce-based firms has led to a dramatic shift in customer behavior. With just a few clicks, you can order almost anything and have someone deliver it to your doorstep in as little as 24 hours. So, what is headless commerce, and how can you make the switch?
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What is headless commerce?
Headless commerce is a common phrase for software architecture, the core tenet of which is the disconnection of the User Interface (frontend) and the business logic (backend). These two layers can communicate through the Application Programming Interface (API), but there is no strict dependency between them.
This software architecture makes it possible for eCommerce brands to augment and distinguish the customer experience, reduces the time it takes to bring a product to market, and accelerates time-to-market.
How to Switch to Headless Commerce
Check to see if you are already employing a headless framework in how your company conducts its day-to-day operations before you even think about switching to headless commerce.
You will also need to take into consideration the following fundamental aspects (See brief checklist) to guarantee that you will be able to minimize the negative effects of switching to headless commerce:
- Do you require a professional or a team to handle your implementation?
- Do you need frontend, backend, or both?
- What is your company’s eCommerce project size?
- What is your ideal team makeup?
- What are your eCommerce priorities?
- What technologies are you considering?
- What is your budget?
If you run your company on one of the better-known e-commerce platforms, you probably will not need to switch platforms to take advantage of headless mode. However, if you need the switch, this is how you do it.
Determine What Your Prevailing Weak Points Are
It is a good idea to list all the areas in which you could use some improved performance and the prevailing shortfalls you have. Making a list of the key objectives for your new framework will guarantee that it is defiantly more reliable than the strategy you have been using.
Determine Ways to Provide a Better Experience for your Customers
Conduct a review of your company’s existing customer experience with its clients. Make a list of the features currently offered by your platform, as well as the features that are still lacking. The next step is determining what adjustments need to be built into the framework to enhance the experience.
When you thoroughly comprehend the necessary modifications, it will be a great deal simpler for you to convey your thoughts and ideas to the frontend engineer. Having the frontend and backend separated allows marketing teams to try out new layouts. During this transitional time, the marketing team should also initiate the process of developing new marketing strategies.
Make a Timetable for Yourself
You must have a well-defined line of thought and a schedule to make a switch successfully. It is essential to decide the timing of the migration of your frontend, specifically whether it should occur before, during, or after the switch.
Establishing a deadline for each process stage is essential, such as when to move the frontend along with data such as orders, catalogs, and user information.
Put each of the necessary adjustments into effect in stages. Starting at the front end for brands can improve customer satisfaction and performance metrics. Doing this will build confidence and provide brands with the necessary acceleration to progressively transition backend functionality using microservices.
Carefully Enter Data into the System
Your marketing and technical teams can collaborate effectively while managing the data. Check that you understand the objects, characteristics, and data modeling subtypes well. Be sure to double-check all the information as you import it, as the information you import will essentially serve as a projection of your online store.
After completing the switch successfully, modify customer credentials while maintaining confidentiality.
Wrapping Up
It is without a doubt that different kinds of businesses can benefit from utilizing headless ecommerce. On the other hand, there are circumstances in which the headless architectural principle might not be appropriate for your business needs. You need to think carefully about each of the abovementioned considerations before deciding whether to make the switch.
It would be best if you also had a complete understanding of what it will mean to your business, staff and customers by making the switch and the benefits it will bring to your particular company.