Edit the front-end of your online store from any system and simply integrate it with nopCommerce - a headless eCommerce platform.
What is headless eCommerce?
Headless commerce software is an architectural pattern that separates the front-end (the head) and the back-end (the body) of an eCommerce application. This “decoupling” allows for more customization and flexibility in the design, i.e. the storefront can be updated or edited without interfering with the back-end.
Developers can utilize any front-end technology of their choice (popular third-party CMS, mobile apps, IoT devices, or custom front-end solutions) to create personalized content experiences, and plug into the nopCommerce platform on the back-end to manage the logic and function layers of the commerce website.
Typical headless eCommerce architecture makes use of an application programming interface (API) via a RESTful system to deliver and provide content. The official Web API plugin from the nopCommerce team allows developers to interact with such third-party services as popular CMS, ERPs, PIMs, POS, custom front-end solutions, or mobile apps using REST. There are more than 1.100 back-end and front-end methods available.
Traditional eCommerce vs. headless eCommerce
In traditional commerce, the website's front-end and back-end are interdependent. Thanks to a monolithic architecture, it is fast to set up and launch. However, this hinders customization and pessimizes the customer experience. Any possible updates to the ecommerce application become a headache because of the tight coupling. If the store owner decides to add a new sales channel, it'll require significant adjustments to the back-end.
In the mobile-driven era, this approach can't meet customer expectations. A headless e-commerce solution, on the other hand, allows to provide a dynamic customer experience and keep up with the latest technology and marketing trends. It aims at satisfying ever-growing demands for an exceptional user experience.
Top 4 benefits of headless commerce
By not having any UI constraints and scalability limitations, a headless eCommerce platform helps developers meet the business needs, without worrying about back-end modifications. Here's the list of major benefits you shouldn't waste:
Customization. Today customers seek personalized experiences that fit their needs and comply with purchasing desires. Being decoupled from the back-end, a headless ecommerce software helps businesses customize shopping preferences, prepare recommendations and promotions based on previous purchase history. This creates stronger customer retention rates.
Increased flexibility & agility. Headless commerce platforms can adopt new technologies as they emerge, and do it quickly. Due to their high customization rates, they are perfect for scaling up and experimenting without harming back-end functions. A marketing campaign can be launched across multiple channels without time-consuming coding, optimization, and adaptation.
Omnichannel support. Since headless eCommerce systems are API-driven, they cover multiple channels. These grant access to the content to all consumers through multiple touchpoints: mobile apps, websites, chatbots. As a result, customers get a seamless user experience and great content created in one place can be used everywhere.
Greater control & fast development. A headless eCommerce framework ensures complete control over customization, flexibility, and website speed. Separating the front-end and the back-end helps development and content teams work simultaneously, and results in faster deployments. Thus, it is easier to adapt to a new market trend and cut time-to-market.
Why nopCommerce is the best headless solution?
As a back-end platform, nopCommerce provides PCI compliance, fraud protection, payment and checkout processing, inventory management, etc. Among other things,
nopCommerce has powerful integral functionality that covers 99% of business needs, including enterprise eCommerce features such as multi-store, multi-vendor, multi-currency support, advanced marketing tools, global shipping, and tax services, and much more;
The open-source code and pluggable architecture of nopCommerce will ensure 100% fulfillment of any business requirements for your eCommerce website. nopCommerce is an extensible, scalable, and cross-platform eCommerce solution based on the latest Microsoft technology;
The official Web API plugin from the nopCommerce team covers all out-of-the-box functions. The Web API plugin is available with source code.
Whether you have a seasoned business or just want to boost your start-up, run a monobrand website or multi-product marketplace, it’s high time to consider how you can use headless eCommerce software to overcome business obstacles or attain your goals. Go headless now and live the future of eCommerce today!
FAQ on Headless e-Commerce
What is headless architecture?
A headless API connects two applications (front-end and back-end) and allows them to seamlessly exchange data. A headless REST API is a type of API that doesn’t require a user interface. It is used for automating business processes and providing greater customization.
Why use headless commerce?
A B2C or B2B headless commerce platform allows you to deploy rapid updates to the front-end of your website without impacting its back-end. It helps businesses to think beyond the simple storefront and keep up with the speed of consumer technology: provide their customers with highly customized content, innovative fulfillment options, assisted sales alternatives, etc.
Is nopCommerce a headless e-commerce platform?
Thanks to the Web API plugin, nopCommerce utilizes a headless approach. This means that store owners and merchants can use API calls via a RESTful system to deliver and provide content. The plugin is made to interact with third-party services like CMS, ERPs, PIMs, POS, custom front-end solutions, or mobile apps.
