DatoCMS vs WordPress.

What’s wrong with WordPress

WordPress, despite its widespread popularity and historical significance, is not without its drawbacks:

• The frontend and backend are tightly coupled which limits flexibility and hinders innovation.

• Reliance on themes/plugins leads to bloated code and security risks.

• Its traditional server-rendered approach hampers performance and scalability.

• Dynamic, personalised user experiences are limited and complex to implement.

Understanding a headless CMS

A headless CMS operates without a frontend, giving it the "headless" name. This unique architecture separates the backend (content layer), which can then be connected to the frontend (presentation layer) through APIs. By adopting this approach you can create fully customised digital experiences without the plugins, hacks and workarounds familiar with WordPress.

Design freedom

We value freedom in design; it shouldn't be hindered or dictated by technology. The separation of the backend from the frontend allows designers to have complete control over the presentation layer, enabling them to implement innovative designs, experiment with different layouts, and optimise the user interface without any constraints imposed by the CMS. This design freedom empowers businesses to deliver visually stunning and engaging websites and applications that truly reflect their brand identity and captivate their audience.

Speed and performance

We all crave seamless experiences. Using a Headless CMS enables us to utilise static site generation through Next.js and lightning-fast content delivery with Netlify. Static pages are pre-built when changes are made to the content or code, meaning there’s no time wasted in database queries – it’s instant delivery. It's like having a conversation with someone in the same room instead of shouting across the street.

Future-proofing your web presence

Your business is constantly changing and evolving. By separating the back end and front end, you can easily integrate new APIs, technologies, and services as your business requirements change. This means you can incorporate features like recommendation APIs or CRM-powered landing pages without requiring extensive code changes or rewrites.

Adopted by the biggest

Many large companies, such as Nike, Spotify, and Polestar, have embraced the advantages of a headless CMS. For instance, Polestar used DatoCMS to create a global website with over 28 languages and 250 content creators. In our own experience, we utilised DatoCMS to revamp RBB Economics' website. We transformed their previous plain WordPress site into a rich web experience, incorporating optimised media elements, reusable modules, and compelling editorial articles. Additionally, we successfully migrated all their past articles from WordPress to DatoCMS ensuring no content was lost in the transition.

RBB EconomicsHow we used DatoCMS to bring economics to life.

• Case study

Conclusion

A headless CMS stands out as a practical choice for content management. It offers the flexibility to shape content across platforms, the speed that respects your audience’s time, and the adaptability to stay relevant in an evolving digital landscape.

Get in touch to discuss the possibilities of using a headless CMS for your website.