Interest in headless commerce has been steadily growing for the last seven years. Nowadays, it should come as no surprise that more and more companies are switching to this architecture, ditching traditional cumbersome approaches.
Why does headless commerce architecture attract so many online retailers? The reason is that eCommerce brands face mounting pressure to innovate. Their websites should be agile to introduce new features that customers want to see while being reliable to maintain robust eCommerce operations. Developers have come up with a solution: it’s headless commerce.
It allows retail companies to deliver seamless user experiences across multiple devices, from smartphones and tablets to in-store kiosks. Its secret lies in an innovative approach to eCommerce architecture: the front-end presentation layer is separated from the back-end system. It provides numerous benefits, from creating highly personalized shopping experiences to speeding up the developer’s work.
One of the standout solutions in this domain is Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC). As a leader in the eCommerce platform market, SFCC offers a powerful headless commerce solution that integrates effortlessly with other Salesforce cloud tools, providing a comprehensive framework for online merchants to build customized digital storefronts. This article will walk you through the best practices and strategies for Salesforce Commerce Cloud that will ensure a smooth transition to headless architecture.
Understanding Headless Commerce
What Is Headless Commerce?
Headless commerce is a modern approach to eCommerce architecture where the front-end presentation layer, or the “head,” is decoupled from the back-end functionality. Traditionally, these layers are tightly integrated. So, any changes or updates to the user interface require corresponding changes in the back-end, and vice versa. This can make the system unwieldy and inflexible.
In contrast, headless commerce separates these layers, allowing businesses to use different technologies and frameworks for their front-end and back-end systems. Communication between these layers happens through APIs (application programming interfaces). This separation provides several significant benefits, including more nimble and responsive design changes.
For instance, a retailer might want to redesign their website’s interface but leave the payment gateways or order management system untouched. A headless approach makes it possible. They can do this seamlessly, using separate teams to independently handle the front-end and back-end.
Degrees of “Headlessness”
You don’t necessarily need to go entirely headless. The degree of “headlessness,” or adopting the headless approach, can vary:
- Fully headless commerce. The front-end is totally separated from the back-end. You have complete control over the front-end and can use any preferred technology or framework. Communication between the front- and back-ends is handled entirely through APIs. This setup offers maximum flexibility and customization.
- Partially headless commerce. Here, some front-end components may still be tied with the back-end of the eCommerce platform, while others are decoupled. For instance, an eCommerce platform provider might offer pre-built templates for certain features, such as product listings or checkout processes. At the same time, other areas are open for custom development. This can be an excellent middle ground for eCommerce brands that need some flexibility but want to retain certain pre-built features.
- Composable commerce. It’s a more sophisticated form of headless commerce. In this model, you can choose the best tools, modules, and technologies for your website and combine them as you wish.
In the case of using Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware), developers don’t have to stick to what’s provided in the package. Moreover, the company offers its own composable architecture, the Salesforce Composable Storefront, compatible with different commerce technologies.
It streamlines the creation of headless front-ends, ensuring a faultless website experience for shoppers and a handy, flexible, and demountable environment for developers. This package includes the Managed Runtime (cloud infrastructure for installing and running progressive web apps) and React-based PWA Kit (a framework for building online stores).
Benefits of Headless Commerce
- Flexibility. The headless commerce approach has almost no limitations regarding design or idea feasibility. An indisputable advantage is that the frontend layout isn’t “fixed” or preset.
You can choose the functionality and design of the headless digital storefront for any device or sales channel. Apart from that, you can craft your own UX/UI, offer a better user experience, and easily evolve with the market and user expectations.
- Scalability. As the back-end is independent of the front-end and vice versa, you can grow your online store quickly. For example, implement seasonal themes or promotions without back-end disruptions.
- Enhanced customer experience. Headless commerce stores greatly improve the overall customer experience by being more adaptable and responsive to the needs of consumers. This includes user-friendliness irrespective of the devices used, omnichannel support, and app-like convenience from the website.
- Future-proofing. A monolithic store may operate satisfactorily as of today. But what if you decide to add new tools? The traditional approach may no longer cut it.
While it works fine, it presents some roadblocks, like extended development processes and restrictions to introducing advanced solutions. Headless commerce architecture can adopt emerging technologies like voice search, AI-driven recommendations, or augmented reality without overhauling their entire system.
Drawbacks of Headless Commerce
To be fair, there are several shortcomings with headless commerce solutions. Speaking of disadvantages, switching to headless requires time and money and is not an easy task. Licensing fees for platforms like Salesforce Commerce Cloud and the expenses for custom development and ongoing support can be significant, particularly for smaller businesses or startups.
At the same time, larger companies leveraging traditional websites may also find it hard to leap to headless architectures. They have already customized their system to meet their business needs. So, the transition will require more resources to do the same on the headless eCommerce website.
On the bright side, you can “move” gradually because the “reconstruction” can be completed step-by-step. Additionally, you can choose ready-made third-party solutions and pre-built connectors to expedite the process.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Headless Architecture
What Is SFCC Headless Architecture?
Salesforce is a renowned industry leader with an extensive package of solutions, or “Clouds.” One such tool is Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC, or Demandware in the past). Salesforce Commerce Cloud is extensively utilized as an advanced eCommerce platform. Now, it also includes powerful headless commerce capabilities under its headless Salesforce Commerce Cloud.
After Salesforce acquired Mobify, it introduced the Salesforce Composable Storefront. This shift from the traditional, tightly coupled systems to a headless approach enables businesses to leverage modern web technologies and create highly customized front-end experiences.
Headless SFCC is among the many companies, like Magento, Shopify, and BigCommerce, that support the decoupling of front- and back-ends. The two layers communicate through APIs, specifically RESTful API, which provides flexibility and scalability.
Key Features and Tools of SFCC Headless Commerce
- PWA Toolkit: A Salesforce Commerce Cloud framework for creating progressive web apps. PWAs are websites that resemble native mobile apps in how they operate on the user-facing side but are accessible from the browser. Progressive web app technology entails lightning-fast loading speed, convenience, and mobile-friendliness.
The PWA Kit includes rendering and routing systems, API integration, a customizable Retail React App, and other elements facilitating PWA development. Think of it as a set of customizable LEGO blocks that developers can use to build a perfect storefront.
- Managed Runtime: Cloud computing platform to set up and run a progressive web app. It complements the PWA Toolkit and handles the server management, scaling automatically to accommodate traffic spikes and ensure optimal performance.
With this feature, development teams can focus on building and refining the storefront. Managed Runtime will provide the needed functionality. For example, Managed Runtime ensures that the storefront remains up and running smoothly during a major sales event or promotional campaign.
- Salesforce Composable Storefront: One of the headless frontend development products available in the Salesforce ecosystem. It includes a Managed Runtime, a hosting solution, and a PWA Kit.
Thanks to being modular by design, it also facilitates using third-party systems to improve storefront speed and user experience. The Composable Storefront allows each component to be deployed separately, making the headless Salesforce Commerce Cloud store more flexible.
Best Practices for Implementation
Once you’ve decided to go with headless Salesforce Commerce Cloud, you need to initiate a complex and multi-step process, from preparation to migrating (or setting up the store from the ground up) to deployment. Let’s go through the best practices to follow for a smooth and successful transition.
Strategic Planning and Management
The first step is creating a well-defined roadmap. It’s a thorough project plan that describes your cross-functional team’s roles, important milestones, and the deadlines for different stages of the migration. For starters, hold a discovery session with key stakeholders to outline your business requirements.
Are you aiming to enhance search engine rankings, build personalized experiences, or expand your sales channels? Setting transparent, measurable aims will guide your entire project.
For example, if your goal is to reduce page load times, you might set a target of a 30% improvement within six months. This way, you send a crystal clear message to your team, keeping them focused and accountable.
Select a project manager familiar with your eCommerce business logic who can oversee the migration and offer distinct directions at every project stage. This person will be the main point of contact and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Choosing the Right Tools and Resources
Now, you need to choose your tech stack, such as:
- Development frameworks, with the most popular solutions being React and Vue.js.
- Headless CMS platforms compatible with Salesforce Commerce Cloud, such as Contentful and Contentstack. They serve to manage content independently of the front-end across multiple channels.
- API management solutions like Apigee, Amazon API Gateway, or Azure API Management. They ensure the smooth operation of APIs. For example, they control traffic, enhance security, monitor performance, scale operations, and so on.
Technical Best Practices
Fine-tune your headless Salesforce Commerce Cloud store, namely:
- Optimize it for decent performance and strong security. Use lazy loading (when the elements load only as soon as the user scrolls down the page). This technique reduces initial load times as the browser doesn’t have to load all the content right away. Additionally, encrypt all data transmissions to comply with security standards.
- Ensure frictionless third-party integrations. While Salesforce Commerce Cloud natively integrates with other SF clouds like Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, and Experience Cloud (formerly Community Cloud), it can also connect with third-party services like marketing automation platforms, analytics tools, or payment gateways. Your task is properly leveraging commerce APIs from tech vendors and partners to bridge the disparate services.
Ensuring User Adoption
One of the main challenges of going headless with Salesforce is the team’s reluctance to embrace new methodologies. It’s understandable: they don’t know how to use innovative tools and don’t see the value.
That’s where you need to introduce comprehensive training sessions to familiarize staff with the headless approach. Continuous support and resources, such as how-to guides and troubleshooting manuals, will help teams adapt quickly. For instance, provide a series of workshops on using the new PWA Toolkit.
To manage change effectively, consider phased rollouts, where new features are gradually introduced, minimizing disruption. Imagine rolling out a new mobile-first frontend solution in stages. First, introduce it to a small segment of your user base, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments before a full-scale launch.
Salesforce Headless Commerce: Conclusion
So, what have we learned about Salesforce Commerce Cloud headless solutions? For now, headless architecture may seem more like a thing of the 5- or 10-year future. The headless approach doesn’t need to be implemented fully just yet, nor does it need to go much beyond standard browser shopping.
However, it certainly makes sense to prepare your store for revolutionizing your tech stack. Transitioning to headless with Salesforce enables businesses to achieve unparalleled flexibility and scalability, which are crucial in today’s dynamic online retail environment.
So, if you want to create a personalized shopping experience across multiple touchpoints, the SFCC headless solution is undoubtedly your go-to. Gain an understanding of Salesforce Composable Storefront, Managed Runtime, and headless APIs. Prepare your team and clarify your business needs. If you’re not ready for diverse touchpoints yet, you can start with developing a PWA for mobiles. This step will make it easier for you to add new channels in the future.
In conclusion, Salesforce Commerce Cloud offers a path to future-proof your own storefront. Begin your headless Salesforce journey, master API services, and unlock new e-commerce possibilities.
⸻ Author Bio ⸻
Alex Husar is a chief technology officer at Onilab, a web development agency. With almost 10 years of experience and excellent professional skills, Alex hit a home run in the sphere of Magento migration and development. He also leads a team of professionals dealing with headless commerce and Salesforce projects, applying both his technical expertise and management skills.
