Headless ecommerce is an ecommerce architecture where the front-end presentation layer is separated from the back-end functionality. This means that the front-end can be updated or edited without interfering with the back-end commerce functionality. Headless commerce platforms offer advantages over traditional ecommerce platforms in that changes to data and functionality only need to be made in a single back-end, with all front-ends then having immediate access to those changes. Likewise, each front-end can then be changed and deployed without impacting the back-end.

Headless ecommerce may be preferred from a quality assurance perspective, as traditional ecommerce platforms face a higher risk of making changes that could disrupt operations, since the front-end and back-end are coupled. Because headless commerce communicates with the front-end via APIs and there is no code intertwined with the backend database that stores content, frontend developers can adapt endpoint layout as needed with no disruptions to the customer experience.

Headless commerce allows businesses to adapt the customer experience across various touchpoints without impacting backend processes like inventory management and order fulfillment. With powerful APIs, headless lets businesses integrate all of their existing systems (ERP, PIM, IMS, etc.) to build a shopping experience using the programming language of their choice. Headless commerce also gives businesses the flexibility to offer their customers innovative experiences in their web store.

Some of the benefits of headless commerce include:

• Flexibility and agility to quickly respond to technological change
• Freedom of expression to build whatever and however businesses want
• Ability to enrich the customer experience
• Customization of everything and anything businesses can imagine, with their tools of choice
• Instant split testing to optimize customer experience and conversion rate
• Integration of all existing systems to build a shopping experience using the programming language of choice
• Consistent customer experience across different front-ends that enable customers to complete a purchase at any touch point

Some of the headless commerce providers include Dynamics 365 Commerce, Brink Commerce, Swell, Shogun, Commerce.js, Oracle CX Commerce, Shopify, Magento, Commercetools, Crystallize, Fabric, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Nacelle, BigCommerce, and Slatwall Commerce.