Knowledge not shared by Hong Kong Shopify company | What is Headless E-Commerce?

In other countries, the term "Headless E-Commerce" has been popular for quite a long time, and it has been shared in Taiwan. But in Hong Kong, we haven't seen other Hong Kong Shopify companies explain what Headless E-Commerce is. Today, let us Wilkinson explain it to you. 

Directory

• What is Headless Shopify?
• How do I convert my Shopify store to (headless ecommerce/headless commerce)?
• The general direction for converting Shopify stores to headless e-commerce…
• What are the benefits of a headless Shopify store?
• What type of company is best suited for a headless ecommerce structure?
• Why invest in switching to a headless Shopify store
• Real examples of headless commerce

What is Headless Shopify?

Headless refers to the CMS system with the frontend and backend separated, so Headless Shopify refers to the separation of the frontend and the backend of the Shopify store. The backend uses Shopify's system, but the frontend uses other systems, and API is used for connection in the middle.

So what are frontend and backend? The frontend is the way to contact consumers, such as mobile apps, official websites, VR/Alexa, etc., and the backend is the backend required for business management and operations, such as Database, CRM, ERP and other systems, Shopify is one of the common backend choices.

Image source: Salam Digital

Traditional e-commerce is more like an assembly line factory, and components must operate according to the original design structure of the background. In traditional e-commerce, the front-end must call information from the back-end and feed it back to consumers. That is to say, front-end developers can only use front-end designs and processes that have been framed.

If they want to further optimize the user experience, they need to change the database, code and front end. The project can be said to be very large and the cost will be very expensive.

Headless e-commerce is much more convenient, because the front and back ends are decoupled, and developers can directly start custom development, the degree of freedom is much higher than the traditional architecture, and the relative cost will be lower (but at present, and It won't be much lower.)

The structure of separation of front and back ends allows the e-commerce backend to be combined with different design interfaces or software systems, allowing customers to use smart home appliances, wearable devices, AR or VR or even in-vehicle electronic devices, etc. The way to complete shopping, to bring customers a unique and brand-new shopping experience.

How do I convert my Shopify store to (headless ecommerce/headless commerce)?

While Shopify is a plug-and-play SaaS solution, converting your Shopify webstore to a headless e-commerce requires a high level of technical support. You need an experienced Shopify development and design company to walk you through the conversion process.

The general direction for converting your Shopify store to headless…

Front-end: Since the "header" of the website is no longer based on Shopify, you will need to build a new front-end design and development from scratch (that is, what the customer sees, such as the front-end of the page). This part has a very high degree of freedom, which means that you can actually use whichever CMS you want (for example, Contentful, Webflow).

Backend: Use only the functionality of Shopify's "Store" portion, such as pricing, inventory, customer profile management, and other business data, such as shipping and payment methods, and more.

Image source: CWD

What are the benefits of a headless Shopify store?

Headless e-commerce is the perfect solution for resourced Shopify sellers who have enormous inventory and are complex enough to impact site usability and ultimately negatively impact customer experience. If you've hit a plateau in optimizing your website speed, you may need to start researching headless ecommerce solutions.

• Backend interface: Customize and develop website functions more easily without worrying about dragging down the front end.
  
  
• Frontend developer: Can provide more highly innovative content without worrying about back-end development.
  
  
• Marketers: Even inexperienced users can adjust content at any time without relying on technical support.

What type of company is best suited for implementing headless e-commerce structure?

• Fast-growing SMEs
  
  
• Large companies with multiple subsidiaries, brands or divisions in their portfolio
  
  
• Companies with complex or unique business rules and ordering processes
  
  
• Companies needing to integrate multiple independent systems with branded e-commerce
  
  
• Companies with advanced CMS management needs, and those with rapidly changing content

Why invest in switching to a headless Shopify store

1. Faster website loading times: The headless frontend is not hosted on Shopify servers, but on a CDN (Content Delivery Network), which will give you lightning-fast website loading times
   
   
2. Flexible content management: You no longer need to rely on the editor in Shopify and get stuck with the inherent structure. In headless e-commerce, you can use any headless CMS.
   
   
3. Innovative eCommerce placements: With headless builds, you can turn any screen into an online store. Whether selling on a website, mobile app or smartwatch, the possibilities are endless. Any headless business can be achieved by marketers.
   
   
4. Omnichannel : Omnichannel is an important item in e-commerce. In traditional e-commerce solutions, creating a seamless omni-channel experience usually faces some challenges. The flexibility and freedom of headless e-commerce is much higher, which in disguise makes the development of complete channels easier.
   
   
5. Excellent Organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO): If your store/brand relies on organic free traffic or has a large number of well-ranked SKUs, using headless e-commerce will give you a huge ranking advantage.
   
   
6. Flexible URLs: Instead of relying on Shopify's URL structure, you'll be able to use any URL structure.
   
   
7. More powerful marketing: Marketing tasks like A/B split testing are made easier because the front end is completely custom. You can make two completely different frontends with a headless e-commerce, and do A/B split testing with some CDN hosting service.

Real examples of headless commerce

The following are some examples of e-commerce developed using the headless e-commerce architecture. You may wish to take a look and you will understand more deeply.

ALLBIRDS.COM

BABYLIST.COM

There is a customized baby questionnaire on the website, which is very interesting. It can shorten the distance between the brand and the customer, and can also get the customer contact information.

CLARE.COM