What is headless WordPress and how to use it?
Headless WordPress is a "decoupled" version of WordPress that separates content management (text, images, videos) from web display. These two parts communicate via APIs, thus offering more flexibility and performance for creating custom websites or web applications.
How does headless WordPress work?
A clear separation between content and interface
In a headless model, WordPress is used solely to manage content (text, images, videos). It acts as a back-end, the invisible part where pages, posts, and media are created and organized. The site display (front-end) is completely independent and can be developed with modern tools like React, Vue, or Next.js, which allow for custom interface design.
Data transmission via API
To connect the back-end and front-end, WordPress makes its data available via APIs (interfaces that allow two systems to communicate). This can be the native REST API or GraphQL, thanks to extensions like WPGraphQL. These APIs allow retrieving WordPress content in any site or application, regardless of the tool used on the front end.
A design focused on developers
This architecture offers great technical freedom but also requires more skills: installation of specific plugins, configuration of content types, definition of API queries, etc. It is therefore ideal for developers who want to create a website with unique features while using WordPress as a centralized content management base.
The pros and cons
The advantages of a headless WordPress
A headless WordPress allows for a complete separation of content administration and user-side display. This provides great freedom in choosing front-end technologies to design custom and modern interfaces.
This type of architecture also improves performance by relying on static pages, targeted API calls, and efficient caching systems. Result: faster page loading, beneficial for both user experience and search engine optimization (SEO).
Another advantage: security. By masking direct access to the back-end and limiting entry points, the risk of having a hacked WordPress is significantly reduced. This model is also particularly suited for multi-channel projects, where the same content must appear on multiple platforms (website, mobile application, interactive kiosk, etc.).
The disadvantages to consider
The main obstacle remains the technical complexity. Unlike a traditional WordPress installation, a headless project requires skills in front-end development, API management, and integration of plugins like WPGraphQL.
Some native features disappear, such as direct content preview or automatic theme management. They must therefore be recreated in the custom interface, which can extend the time to go live and increase the necessary work.
In summary, this model is not always the best option for a simple site, a personal blog, or a small showcase. For these uses, a traditional WordPress remains quicker to install and easier to maintain.
When to use a headless WordPress?
A headless WordPress is particularly suited for projects that require performance, flexibility, and multi-platform distribution.
It is suitable, for example, for:
- dynamic websites with high traffic;
- complex front-end applications;
- blogs or editorial platforms requiring very fast display.
This approach is ideal when the goal is to leverage modern frameworks like Next.js, Vue, or React, while keeping WordPress to manage the content.
Decoupling allows for the design of fully customized interfaces, with bespoke design and smooth animations, independently of the WordPress administration.
The headless model is also relevant for projects where the same content must be published across multiple channels: main site, mobile application, display screens, interactive kiosks, etc. Content creation and management are centralized in WordPress, then distributed across different platforms via APIs.
Finally, in environments where security and scalability are priorities (e-commerce sites, multilingual platforms, high-traffic media, etc.), the headless architecture offers a robust solution capable of adapting to the project's growth.
How to get started with a headless WordPress project?
Before launching a headless project, it is essential to define the site's objectives as well as the available technical skills. This approach being more complex than a traditional installation, careful preparation is necessary.
The first step is to install WordPress on suitable hosting that can handle both the back-end and access to the APIs. For this, OVHcloud's web hosting offer can be perfectly suitable, especially for hosting a WordPress site.
Next, the necessary plugins must be set up to expose the content. Among them, a GraphQL extension for WordPress is often used to create custom queries, as well as Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to structure content types according to the project's needs.
Next comes the choice of the front-end solution. A modern JavaScript framework, like those commonly used for developing dynamic interfaces, will allow for a fast and personalised user experience. The site is then connected to WordPress via API calls, making it possible to dynamically display pages, posts, images, and other data.
Once the technical environment is ready, it is recommended to configure aspects related to security, performance (caching, CDN, static generation), and SEO on the front-end. The support of a service provider or the use of specialised support can be useful for this phase.
Finally, purchasing a domain name is essential to publish the site on a professional URL.
Your questions answered
Can I use a WordPress theme with a headless site?
No, traditional WordPress themes are not compatible with a headless architecture. The visual rendering of the site is no longer managed by WordPress, but by the framework used on the front-end. The CMS is only used to manage the content and data, which are then retrieved via a REST or GraphQL API. If you want to customise the interface, you need to develop it custom outside of WordPress. This offers more freedom, but requires web development skills to design an interface consistent with the pages, posts, and articles created.
Is it possible to migrate a classic WordPress site to a headless version?
Yes, it is entirely possible to transform an existing WordPress site into a headless version. The existing content (pages, articles, media) remains usable, but the visual aspect of the site will need to be created using a framework like Next.js, React, or Vue. It is also necessary to set up tools like WPGraphQL or the REST API to expose the data. This migration involves a redesign of the front end, but allows for the retention of all content management on the back end. This is a good solution for modernising a site while keeping the advantages of the CMS, especially for blogs, applications, or scalable projects.
What is the difference between a REST API and GraphQL in a headless WordPress project?
The REST API and GraphQL both allow for data retrieval from WordPress in a headless context, but their operation differs. The REST API exposes fixed endpoints for each type of content (pages, posts, etc.), which can sometimes generate multiple requests. GraphQL, with WPGraphQL, allows for precisely requesting the necessary fields in a single query. This approach is often more efficient and flexible for complex front-end applications. The choice between the two depends on the project's needs, the framework used, and the desired level of customisation in the site's architecture.
Is headless WordPress suitable for natural referencing (SEO)?
Yes, but it requires specific configuration. Unlike classic WordPress, the SEO of a headless site must be managed on the front end. It is important to ensure the generation of static pages, add the necessary meta tags, structure the URLs, and integrate structured data. Frameworks like Next.js facilitate these optimisations through server-side rendering (SSR). It is also important to ensure good performance management and accessibility. With a well-thought-out configuration, a headless WordPress site can achieve excellent SEO results while benefiting from fast display and a more modern architecture.