Customizing customer experiences and providing a consistent shopping experience over multiple online channels is the reasons that the headless shopping experience has evolved into a crucial device in the eCommerce marketplace.
Users are watching content and purchasing at the touch of a button, using devices such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, Amazon Dash buttons, and even smartwatches. There aren’t just smartphones and laptops nowadays.
eCommerce brands that take note of the latest technological trends and adjust their business models to take advantage of these developments are reaping advantages, while other businesses are often unsure of how to join the crowd without having to develop backend solutions from the from scratch.
The most straightforward solution is to be available wherever your customers are. the best way to do this is to go without a head.
In addition to enabling the omnichannel capability, as well as the ability to modify the platform, headless solutions enable brands to benefit from first-mover advantages and remain relevant in the current retail environment. The benefits are many.
Before we get into the benefits of headless commerce learn a bit about the technology.
How do you define headless ecommerce?
Headless commerce solutions operate by dissociating the frontend display layer (templates or themes) of an eCommerce mobile or web-based screens from the infrastructure behind it (pricing security, pricing, other similar aspects) which powers an eCommerce experience. Businesses can utilize their preferred frontend technologies to provide high-quality content and then add an eCommerce platform on the backend that manages all aspects of commerce.
The decoupled architecture allows brands greater control over the experience they provide which allows them to better connect with customers and keep in front of what they expect. Utilizing APIs (application programming interfaces) which connect the front-end with back-end systems, they can give customers a customized and consistent experience across different channels.
What are the characteristics of headless commerce which distinguish this from conventional commerce?
Many eCommerce companies have used one platform to handle both the front-end experience as well as backend systems. The monolithic platforms made it difficult to alter the frontend experience without changing the backend. They hinder creativity and, in turn create customer experiences, while also producing time-consuming tasks for teams that might need to make minor changes. Traditional structures make it difficult to introduce new technologies to enhance customer interactions, which affects the overall agility of organizations and their competitiveness.
In contrast to traditional software that use headless eCommerce, headless eCommerce platforms rely on the power and flexibility of APIs. They allow users to design a technology stack that is tailored to your particular requirements since APIs can effectively connect various applications within an organisation. This means that integration is much more efficient. It is easy to scale on headless platforms as every component is designed to be scalable independently unlike the monolithic platform, which might not have the functionality you require when scaling in conjunction with your business (for instance, in times of high traffic spikes).
Headless Commerce in contrast to traditional eCommerce
Are you considering the possibility of a headless platform?
Traditional all-in one eCommerce systems can be an excellent choice for businesses that are just starting out and want rapid results in the beginning stages, because they have built-in frontends that cut down on time-to-market in the initial phase. If your company doesn’t require the presence of several channels, the conventional method will be sufficient – it will depend on the features you’re seeking.
However, to continuously meet customer expectations and keep up with competitors there is a requirement for scalable platforms which is which is where headless commerce comes into the picture. For instance, a content-driven approach like headless commerce is a logical choice for brands that focus on experience, such as lifestyle brands or direct-to consumer (DTC) companies.
Creative teams can utilize heads-free CMS (content management platforms) and digital experiences platforms (DXPs) as front-end presentation layers to improve the user experience as well as interface customer engagement and conversions by using an architecture that is decoupled. In addition the back end of the system will incorporate functions such as the management of inventory, accounts management along with a billing and subscription administration platform and more.
The transition towards headless transactions is a major change, and you’ll need to find a solution that is suited to your company’s requirements and can grow with you.
Let’s look at the top advantages that a headless system could provide.
Benefits of headless commerce
Companies are always trying to get their name out there while facing rising cost of acquisition for customers. In this situation making use of headless technology to make your company stand out is a smart move. In the past two years, alone, more than $1.65 billion has been obtained for headless technology.
However, how can headlessness help? Here are a few benefits that going headless could provide you and your company:
1. Unlimited Customization – Customized Customer Experiences that Maximize Conversions
In contrast to monolithic solutions and monolithic solutions, the headless commerce method does not restrict you to only one kind of user experience. Since the front-end is not a part of the backend, it’s more simple to modify the content layer, and is also less risky since it doesn’t disrupt the underlying infrastructure. This flexibility to create custom and personalised experiences is crucial in today’s eCommerce market Word-of-mouth generates $6 trillion annually in global sales and accounts 13 percent of sales!
A headless commerce platform centralizes content and delivers it any time through an API which allows for much faster distribution than other eCommerce sites, and result in a better user experience. Headless platforms break down information silos because all information about customers’ shopping habits (like an order history) is easily accessible. With information about customers available they can tailor suggestions for purchase, promotions and browse choices for specific channels to provide more relevant deals that increase conversion rates. For instance, an online customer who previously bought products for his dog could get an in-store coupon for dog treats through his mobile.
With headless technologies it is possible to begin building your customer experience by starting from scratch, while also allowing for continuous adjustments, modifications and deployments.
2. Integration Ease
Headless solutions allow you to connect various tools through an API. APIs allow software systems to communicate with each other while also facilitating seamless data connections and transfer. This ability to adapt removes restrictions and opens up new possibilities for how you use the data. The core eCommerce function is based on the backend structure, however should you wish to enhance your user experience, you could utilize an API to resolve the issues. Because users experience has been separate from the backend system, creating integration is quite simple.
3. Omnichannel Experience
Customers are looking for a consistent and seamless purchasing experience as their process is performed through multiple digital platforms such as laptops or mobile phone, or a chatbot. Although monolithic systems may offer the ability to be omnichannel, this isn’t always the scenario. For instance, if the older eCommerce software does not yet support a particular online sales channel then the company trying to integrate it won’t be able to do so.
However the headless option lets a company’s developers to develop an interface for a brand new digital sales channel anytime and wherever they’d like. Headless solutions allow eCommerce companies to provide a seamless experience at each touchpoint by centralizing all customer data and providing an API that lets frontend developers incorporate commerce into every customer experience. With the advancements that are happening in commerce-centric IoT (such like smart kiosks, interactive digital signage and so on) The ability to incorporate additional digital options to the shopping experience for customers can provide businesses with an edge in the marketplace.
4. Rapid Experimentation
In eCommerce, the process of making new prices and user experiences could be a game changer. Superfoods Company that sells natural plants takes approximately 30 minutes to choose the price or introduce a new product using Chargebee. The flexibility to test new products saw Superfoods grow its revenues by four times in just an entire year. The company expanded its product range from one to five items and increased their subscriber base has grown to more than 200,000.
The applications that headless commerce is used for are numerous that range from launching new features or offerings as well as testing different offers and discounts, playing around with different layouts of pages and generating more enjoyable user experiences, without having to make changes within your backend system.
5. Flexibility and Agility – Faster time to market
The headless commerce platforms will be able to support emerging technologies as they develop. Marketing teams can launch multiple websites across different divisions, brands as well as portfolios, and will be able to do this in a short time. Thanks to the flexibility provided through headless platforms, businesses are able to launch their products faster, even if consumer preferences shift overnight. It doesn’t matter if you’d like to test out different retail experiences or meet the rapidly changing expectations of your customers using a headless system, it’s an option if you wish to explore and innovate without compromising the backend functionality.
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