Headless WordPress: Is It Worth the Hype? Pros, Cons, and Step-by-Step Setup

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites, but traditional setups aren’t always the best fit for modern web development needs. Enter Headless WordPress—a cutting-edge approach that decouples the front end from the back end, offering unparalleled flexibility and performance.

But is it worth the hype? In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of headless WordPress, walk you through a beginner-friendly step-by-step setup, and answer the most common questions about this innovative architecture.

What is Headless WordPress?

Headless WordPress is a development approach where WordPress serves as the back-end content management system (CMS), while the front end is built using technologies like React, Next.js, or Gatsby. This separation allows developers to create fast, dynamic, and highly customized user experiences.

Pros of Headless WordPress

1. Blazing-Fast Performance: Without the overhead of WordPress themes, headless sites load faster. For example, WP Engine reports that headless setups can achieve load times under 1 second.
2. Flexibility: Developers can use modern frameworks like React or Vue.js to build interactive, app-like experiences.
3. Enhanced Security: By decoupling the front end, you reduce the attack surface for potential vulnerabilities.
4. Omnichannel Content Delivery: Use WordPress to manage content for websites, mobile apps, and even IoT devices.

Cons of Headless WordPress

1. Complex Setup: Headless WordPress requires technical expertise in both WordPress and front-end frameworks.
2. Plugin Limitations: Many WordPress plugins rely on themes, so they may not work in a headless setup.
3. Higher Costs: Development and maintenance are more resource-intensive compared to traditional WordPress.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Headless WordPress

This guide is designed for beginners, with each step explained in detail. Follow along to set up your own headless WordPress site.

Step 1: Choose a Hosting Provider

Start by selecting a hosting provider that supports headless WordPress. Managed hosts like WP Engine or Kinsta are excellent choices because they offer optimized environments for headless setups.

• Action: Sign up for a hosting plan and install WordPress.

Step 2: Install WordPress

Install WordPress as you normally would, but skip theme installation. Since you’re going headless, you won’t need a traditional theme.

• Action:
  1. Log in to your hosting dashboard.
  2. Install WordPress using the one-click installer.
  3. Complete the setup wizard (choose a blank site or skip theme selection).

Step 3: Set Up the REST API or GraphQL

WordPress comes with a built-in REST API, which allows your front end to fetch content. Alternatively, you can use WPGraphQL, a plugin that provides a GraphQL API for WordPress.

• Action:
  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Install the WPGraphQL plugin (optional but recommended).
  3. Enable the REST API by ensuring it’s not blocked by your hosting provider.

Step 4: Build the Front End

Now it’s time to create the front end using a modern framework like Next.js or Gatsby. These frameworks are beginner-friendly and widely used for headless setups.

Action:

• Install Node.js on your computer (required for Next.js/Gatsby).

• Open your terminal and run the following command to create a new Next.js project:

npx create-next-app my-headless-site

• Navigate to your project folder:

cd my-headless-site

Step 5: Connect the Front End to WordPress

Use the REST API or WPGraphQL to fetch content from WordPress and display it on your front end.

Action:

Open the index.js file in your Next.js project.

• Add the following code to fetch posts from WordPress:

export async function getStaticProps() {  
  const res = await fetch('https://your-wordpress-site.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts');  
  const posts = await res.json();  
  return {  
    props: {  
      posts,  
    },  
  };  
}  

• Display the posts in your front end:

export default function Home({ posts }) {  
  return (  
    <div>  
      <h1>Latest Posts</h1>  
      <ul>  
        {posts.map((post) => (  
          <li key={post.id}>{post.title.rendered}</li>  
        ))}  
      </ul>  
    </div>  
  );  
}  

Step 6: Deploy Your Site

Once your front end is ready, deploy it to a hosting platform like Vercel or Netlify for optimal performance.

• Action:
  1. Push your project to GitHub.
  2. Sign up for a Vercel or Netlify account.
  3. Connect your GitHub repository and deploy your site.

Why Nova & More is Your Headless WordPress Partner

At Nova & More, we specialize in building high-performance headless WordPress sites that deliver results. Here’s how we can help:

• Custom Front-End Development: We use modern frameworks like Next.js to create fast, interactive experiences.
• API Integration: Seamlessly connect WordPress with your front end using REST or GraphQL.
• Ongoing Support: From hosting to updates, we’ve got you covered.

→ Schedule a Consultation Call ←

Conclusion

Headless WordPress isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful solution for businesses needing speed, flexibility, and scalability. While it’s not for everyone, the benefits often outweigh the challenges for those with the right technical expertise.

Ready to explore headless WordPress? Contact Nova & More for a tailored solution today.

Citations

1. WP Engine. (2023). Headless WordPress Performance Report. Link
2. WPGraphQL. (2024). Official Documentation. Link
3. Google. (2023). Core Web Vitals Report. Link
4. Next.js. (2024). Official Documentation. Link
5. Gatsby. (2024). Headless WordPress Guide. Link