Drupal is an open-source content management system that powers websites for the world's leading government, non-profit and higher education organizations. When it comes time to set up your website, consider a headless Drupal solution.
Here we'll take a look at what headless Drupal is, and why it's becoming the go-to development approach for many organizations.
#What Is Headless Drupal?
Headless content management systems (CMSs) separate the front-end and back-end. These represent the content consumers and creators.
For Drupal, a headless setup is different from a traditional one. Most Drupal websites multitask. Drupal manages front-end content rendering and back-end content management.
With headless Drupal, also known as decoupled Drupal, Drupal is only powering the back-end system. The client-facing front-end is completely separate. The front-end uses the back-end API for its content sources. This is the only link.
With that in mind, why should you choose a headless Drupal 8 solution?
#The API Is Fully Integrated
Some content management systems offer APIs, but there's usually limitations to the type of API and the feature set. By contrast, Drupal comes ready with a fully integrated REST API. So, you can interact with the API just like you would if you're working within Drupal.
That API also provides plenty of opportunities. You can use any module with your services. It only needs to extend to Drupal. You can even create modules that work the same on the back-end and front-end.
#Your Choice of Languages for Front-End
A Drupal headless solution lets you use any programming language for the front-end. It just needs to be compatible.
The most used front-end languages in this system are JavaScript and PHP. Examples of frameworks for JavaScript include Vue, Angular, React, Nextjs, and Gatsby. Common choices for PHP include Laravel and Symfony.
This gives your team the freedom to use the languages they love and are most comfortable with.
#Allows for Complex User Interfaces
Using a typical Drupal solution could limit what you can do on the user interface. That's because Drupal uses PHP out-the-box.
React or complex UIs (ie: user dashboards or web apps with a lot of data and/or animations) would benefit greatly from headless Drupal. You can build websites that render information faster, and give your team the programming languages that they love the most.
#Expand Your User Experience to More Platforms
Choosing a headless Drupal solution can expand your content reach. This architecture lets you send content across various platforms, including mobile apps, Internet-of-Things, kiosk displays and more.
#Drupal Serves as a Microsite Manager
If your company needs many websites, you will appreciate a headless solution. It's helpful for various promotions, countries, brands, and events. This way, you can use Drupal to provide content to your microsites.
This lets you store the content in a single place. It also lets you close or create microsites without worrying about content storage. The content is always in the back-end.
#Provides Future Compatibility
This microsite management also helps with the future of your Drupal headless solution. Adding new tech is easy. You would only have to create a front-end. Your Drupal back-end already has the content. You can use it with any future microsites or technologies for the front-end.
#Easier to Create a Team
Drupal is very popular, but it's not as easy to find Drupal experts. Choosing a headless solution makes this easier. You can hire front-end developers with limited Drupal experience. That way, your Drupal experts can focus on the back-end.
#Create Separate Teams for Parallel Development
You know that a headless solution lets you efficiently use Drupal experts. It also allows for parallel development. The back-end and front-end teams don't to be so as synchronized. The result is fewer dependencies on each other.
The front-end team is less likely to have to wait for the back-end team to finish something and vice versa. The result is more efficient work.
#Drupal Has a Large Community with Resources
The large size of the Drupal community makes a headless Drupal 8 solution even wiser. For example, community members have created vast educational resources and boilerplates for Drupal. Also, you are likely to find help if you run into any problems.
#Plenty of Vendors
The size of the Drupal community extends to the number of vendors, as well. Many companies offer related services due to its popularity. This competition keeps companies on their toes. It also lets you choose a vendor that will live up to their promises.
#Get a Free Headless Drupal Consultation
We have worked with the world's leading organizations on their headless Drupal projects.
Contact us for a free consultation for your headless Drupal needs.