Why We Don't Build Headless Stores

In this fast-paced world of e-commerce, with shiny new features, apps and wares, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest buzzwords. Perhaps you feel like you need a headless store or maybe someone has convinced you that composable architecture is what you should have in place.

Either way, these approaches - while applicable to some select few merchants - are unlikely something you need, let alone even need to know about.

Headless commerce, for example, with its promise of flexibility and customization,has captured the imagination of many a merchant. Equally many it seems, are now licking their wounds as they revert back to vanilla setups. 

A simpler approach often yields better results.

Let's Get Real - Avoiding Temptation

The allure of headless commerce is undeniable. By decoupling the front-end from the back-end, businesses gain theoretical control over the customer experience.

But this flexibility comes at a significant cost.

Building and maintaining a headless e-commerce platform requires specialized skills, often necessitating a whole team of developers. If you don't have an appetite for higher upfront costs, nor a significantly larger opEx line item, you're probably already convinced at this point.

Making things worse, as technology evolves, businesses that have invested in headless solutions will find themselves needing frequent and expensive overhauls.

A growing number of merchants are discovering the hard way that the complexity of headless commerce often outweighs its benefits.

After pouring substantial resources into building a custom front-end, they find themselves grappling with performance issues, integration challenges, and a steep learning curve.

The dream of a fully customized experience can quickly turn into a nightmare of technical debt.

Embracing Vanilla

In contrast, a "vanilla approach" to e-commerce offers a refreshing simplicity.

By using software as intended, businesses can leverage the core functionalities of off-the-shelf platforms without the need for extensive customization.

This approach reduces development time, lowers costs, and minimizes the risk of technical issues.

It also allows merchants to focus on what truly matters: building strong customer relationships and driving sales.

Of course... as always, it depends.

While it's true that some businesses may require the advanced capabilities of headless commerce, such as complex integrations or highly customized user experiences, these are often exceptions rather than the rule.

For most merchants, a solid foundation built on a traditional e-commerce platform is sufficient to achieve their goals.

By prioritizing simplicity, ease of use, and a focus on core functionalities, businesses can create a more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable e-commerce operation.

Before embarking on a costly and complex headless journey, it's essential to carefully evaluate whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks. In many cases, the "vanilla approach" may be the most effective way to harness the power of e-commerce.

Headless commerce undoubtedly has its place in the market, but it’s crucial to recognize that it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

For the vast majority of merchants, squeezing every last drop out of their vanilla tech should be the primary focus before venturing into the uncharted waters of bespoke and modular systems.

Photo by Jocelyn Morales.