E-commerce
What is headless commerce?
Quick answer
Headless commerce separates an online store's front end — what shoppers see — from the commerce engine that handles products, carts, and checkout, connecting them through an API. This lets you build a fast, fully custom storefront while a platform like Shopify or a dedicated backend manages the commerce logic behind it.
The main benefit is flexibility and speed: the storefront can be built with a modern framework like Next.js for excellent performance and a bespoke shopping experience, while the commerce engine keeps doing the heavy lifting. The same backend can also feed other channels, such as an app or marketplace.
It's best suited to brands that have outgrown a standard theme and want full control over design, speed, and features. It costs more to build than an off-the-shelf store, so it pays off when a distinctive experience or scale justifies the investment.
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